Later this morning, Jose Quintana will make his third start against the Cubs this season! And it’s not even July!
His first start went frustratingly well (for him), with the Cubs scoring just one run on just 5 hits and 2 walks over 5.1 innings. Quintana’s second start against the Cubs went a little better for Chicago: 4.2 IP, 3H, 2ER, 3BB, 3Ks. Though the quality of their contact was horrible: 85.3 MPH average exit velocity and just one barreled baseball.
But don’t take it personally, Quintana has actually been fairly good across the board this season, with a 3.66 ERA over 13 starts and 64.0 IP. And four of his five best starts came against the Dodgers, Brewers, Tigers, and Padres. Weird!
The Cubs are countering with a lefty of their own this morning, as Justin Steele takes the mound following a string of impressive starts:
Let’s see if he can continue the progress he’s made – perhaps with that altered fastball – and continue his development into a sure-fire starting pitcher for the Cubs for the foreseeable future.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (26-43) at Pittsburgh Pirates (28-40) – Wednesday, June 22 at 6:05 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Pirates: Jose Quintana, LHP
Cubs: Justin Steele, LHP
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
- Christopher Morel, CF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Ian Happ, LF
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
- Yan Gomes, DH
- Jonathan Villar, 2B
- Nico Hoerner, SS
- Nelson Velázquez, RF
- P.J. Higgins, 1B
Pittsburgh Pirates:
- Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
- Bryan Reynolds, CF
- Diego Castillo, 2B
- Michael Chavis, 1B
- Jack Suwinski, LF
- Yu Chang, DH
- Oneil Cruz, SS
- Tyler Heineman, C
- Bligh Madris, RF