Well, so much for tanking against the Marlins. The Cubs are now 3.5 games behind Miami for the 7th worst record overall, which makes it highly likely that they’ll finish 8th or “better” from here. To that end, they’re tied with the Rockies, have just a half-game lead on the Rangers, and are just 1.0 game ahead of the Angels in the reverse standings.
So those 8th best lotto odds (3.9%) can turn to 11th best (1.4%) pretty quickly.
Anyway, the Cubs are headed to Pittsburgh, where they’ll take on the lowly Pirates for four straight. Then it’s back to Wrigley Field for the final home stand of the year (Phillies, Reds), before finishing the season in Cincinnati.
We’re almost there.
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (64-85) took two of three from the Marlins in Miami and remain .500 in the second-half of the season (28-28).
The Pittsburgh Pirates (55-94) have won just 16 games in the second half of the season (that’s .291 baseball …) and are tied for the second worst record in MLB. Fortunately for them, the first, second, and third worst records all share equal lotto odds.
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
This weekend, I’m most exited to see Hayden Wesneski grab another start, especially following 7.0 dominant innings against the Colorado Rockies his last time out.
Ian Happ is still doing his thing here in the second half, as he approaches 591 plate appearances overall on the season. And over his last 175 PA, in particular, he’s slashing .265/.314/.500 (121 wRC+) with 14(!) doubles and 8 homers. Give the guy some credit for staying healthy and consistent.
Franmil Reyes has cooled WAY off since his hot start with the Cubs. In the month of September (60 PAs), he’s slashing .189/.295/.208 (52 wRC+) with a 31.1% strikeout rate.
Game Times and Broadcast Info
Pitching Probables
Game 1:Â Hayden Wesneski (RHP) vs. Mitch Keller (RHP)
Game 2: Javier Assad (RHP) vs. Bryse Wilson (RHP)
Game 3: Wade Miley (LHP) vs. Johan Oviedo (RHP)
Game 4: Adrian Sampson (RHP) vs. Luis Ortiz (RHP)
Chicago Cubs:
Injured/Unavailable: Nico Hoerner(?), Seiya Suzuki (?), Willson Contreras, Nick Madrigal, Steven Brault, Justin Steele, Codi Heuer, Ethan Roberts, Jason Heyward, Kyle Hendricks, Brad Wieck, Rafael Ortega, Alec Mills
Pittsburgh Pirates:
Injured/Unavailable: David Bednar, JT Brubaker, Blake Cederlind, Roberto Perez, Max Kranick, Canaan Smith-Njigba, Yerry De Los Santos, Colin Holderman
By the Numbers
Run Differential:
Cubs: -103
Pirates: -227
Runs Scored Per Game:
Cubs: 4.01
Pirates: 3.58
Runs Allowed Per Game:
Cubs: 4.70
Pirates: 5.10