Justin Steele is back from the paternity list – the baby arrived on his birthday! – and starting for the Cubs tonight. He’ll face a red-hot Orioles team, winners of nine straight, at Wrigley Field for the short two-game series finale.
For the season, the Orioles have struggled quite a bit against left-handed pitchers relative to the league (91 wRC+, 24th in MLB), but they’ve flipped that script entirely dating all the way back to June 1: .251/.328/.436 (116 wRC+, 12th in MLB). So this might not be an easy one for Steele, even if he has pitched well lately (3.05 ERA since May 31).
Starting opposite Steele tonight is the 29-year-old righty Spenser Watkins, a 30th round pick from back in 2014, who just debuted last season (stick with your dreams and whatnot)! Watkins, like a lot of Orioles, has been hot lately, stringing together three straight solid starts against the White Sox, Twins, and Rangers: 17.2 IP, 2ER, 12H, 3BB, 12Ks.
Go Cubs.
Game Info
Baltimore Orioles (44-44) at Chicago Cubs (34-55) – Wednesday, July 13 at 7:05 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Orioles: Spenser Watkins, RHP
Cubs: Justin Steele, LHP
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
- Rafael Ortega, DH
- Willson Contreras, C
- Ian Happ, LF
- Seiya Suzuki, RF
- Nico Hoerner, SS
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
- Alfonso Rivas, 1B
- Nelson Velázquez, CF
- Christopher Morel, 2B
Baltimore Orioles:
- Cedric Mullins, CF
- Trey Mancini, DH
- Ryan Mountcastle, 1B
- Anthony Santander, LF
- Austin Hates, RF
- Adley Rutschman, C
- Ramon Urias, 3B
- Rougned Odor, 2B
- Jorge Mateo, SS