NEWSLETTER
Well, the Cubs just beat the Dodgers, so … I think that makes the Pirates a little league team right? Eh, maybe not so much.
The Pirates have been a thorn in the side of more teams than just the Cubs this year (against whom they’ve split their first six games). Since taking that second series from the Cubs, the Pirates have split a four-gamer with the Padres, taken a series from the Brewers, taken a series from the Tigers and Twins, and split a series with the Royals. They’ve slowed down lately, losing back-to-back series to the Padres and Cardinals, but still. They’ve been fighting. It’s annoying.
With that said, the Cubs have some momentum after the best series of the year. Losing two or more to the Pirates now would *really* suck wind out of the the sails.
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (15-16) have won three games in a row and have moved from the bottom of the barrel into third place of the NL Central. They’re only 5-5 in their last ten, but, hey, sweeping the Dodgers was fun, right? The Pittsburgh Pirates (13-17) have won 4 of their last 10 games and have settled into last place.
Game Times and Broadcasts Info
• Friday, May 7th at 1:20 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
• Saturday, May 8th at 1:20 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
• Sunday, May 9th at 1:20 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Trevor Cahill (R) vs. Zach Davies (R)
Game 2: Wil Crowe (R) vs. Trevor Williams (R)
Game 3: Tyler Anderson (L) vs. Kyle Hendricks (R)
Chicago Cubs
• C – Willson Contreras
• 1B – Anthony Rizzo
• 2B – David Bote
• 3B – Matt Duffy/Kris Bryant
• SS – Javy Baez
• OF – Joc Pederson (LF)
• OF – Jake Marisnick (LF, CF, RF)
• OF – Jason Heyward (RF
• OF – Kris Bryant (LF, CF, RF)
Unavailable: Jake Arrieta, Jonathan Holder, Shelby Miller, Rowan Wick, Dan Winkler, Austin Romine, Nico Hoerner
Los Angeles Dodgers
• C – Jacob Stallings
• 1B – Colin Moran
• 2B – Adam Frazier
• 3B – Ke’Bryan Hayes
• SS – Kevin Newman
• LF – Ka’ai Tom
• CF – Bryan Reynolds
• RF – Wilmer Difo/Phillip Evans
Unavailable: Chad Kuhl, Steven Brault, Austin Davis, Blake Cederlind, Jose Soriano, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Gregory Polanco,
By the Numbers:
Run Differential:
Cubs: -6 (16th)
Pirates: -29 (28th)
Runs Scored Per Game:
Cubs: 4.71 (9th)
Pirates: 3.53 (27th)
Runs Allowed Per Game:
Cubs: 4.90 (25th)
Pirates: 4.50 (20th)
Keep An Eye Out For …
Jake Marisnick and Matt Duffy. These two guys have been keeping the Cubs lineup moving lately, and you should expect to see more of them this weekend. Brett discussed Duffy’s progress and performance right here, and I got into Marisnick right here:
So Far, It’s Not Really a Mirage – Jake Marisnick Has Earned More Playing Time – https://t.co/a8GnrGkooz pic.twitter.com/YPx4w7WjxR
— Bleacher Nation Cubs (@BleacherNation) May 6, 2021
Kris Bryant came up short in some big spots on Tuesday night, but the dude is still completely raking and doing so while playing third, left, center, and right field. He’s currently the fourth most valuable position player in MLB, behind Byron Buxton, Mike Trout, and Ronald Acuña Jr.
Kris Bryant and Ronald Acuña Jr. are the only two NL position players in the top-10 for fWAR.
Acuña (2.2 WAR) is 1st in the NL, 3rd overall.
Bryant (1.8 WAR) is 2nd in the NL, 4th overall.— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) May 7, 2021
Bryan Reynolds (135 wRC+) and Colin Moran (126 wRC+) have been the hitters for the Pirates this season, and Reynolds has been turning it on lately. He’s gotten a hit in every game of May, including 5 doubles and a homer. He’s not walking, though, so I’d probably stay clear of the zone, if I were a Cubs pitcher.
Trevor Williams has made only two bad starts this season, but one of them was against his former Pirates (3.1 IP, 10H, 5ER, 2BB, 3Ks) and one of them was his last time out against the Reds (2.2 IP, 6H, 6ER, 4BB, 2Ks). I’m not sure if we’re going to get the consistency we’d want out of him, but if he can just continue delivering 2-3 great starts in between bad ones, he’ll be a fine back-of-the-rotation option.
