Tough series loss to the Padres last weekend, but at least the Cubs get to move from a construction site to one of the most scenic parks in baseball. The Pirates are coming off a sweep of the Brewers where they outscored them 17-7 over the three games.
Slammed at work this week, so don’t have a lot of time for a long preview.
Team Leaders
Info taken from fangraphs depth charted projections
Cubs
- WAR: Rizzo (4.3), Bryant (3.7), Lester (3.7)
- OBP: Rizzo (.362), Fowler (.359), Bryant (.338)
- SLG: Bryant (.497), Rizzo (.496), Soler (.465)
- Defense: Rizzo (6.4)
- SP K/9: Arrieta (8.7)
- SP BB/9: Hendricks (2.1)
- RP K/9: Rosscup (11.0)
- RP BB/9: Motte (2.7)
Pirates
- WAR: McCutchen (5.5), Marte (3.2), Harrison (2.8)
- OBP: Cutch (.386), Walker (.336), Marte (.324)
- SLG: Cutch (.499), Alvaraez (.446), Marte (.434)
- Defense: Marte (6.6)
- SP K/9: Liriano (9.5)
- SP BB/9: Worley (2.2)
- RP K/9: Bastardo (10.3)
- RP BB/9: Melancon (1.8)
News, notes, injuries, vengeance pacts, etc.
Jacob Turner ———–> 60 day DL, to clear a 40 man spot for Gonzalez Germen.
Duane Underwood took a no-hitter into the 7th inning yesterday.
o/ Mike Olt o/ is in a cast, and it will probably be a month before he can even start his rehab assignment.
This is the greatest meme image in the history of ever (via Bleacher Nation)
Probable pitchers
Pitchers’ ZiPS projected K/9, BB/9, ERA listed
Monday: Jake Arrieta, RHP (8.53, 3.47, 3.67) vs A.J. Burnett, RHP (8.07, 3.56, 3.95), 6:05 PM CT
A.J. Burnett gets the Hero of the Year award for taking less money just to get away from the Phillies (dying laughing).
Tuesday: Travis Wood, LHP (7.24, 3.47, 4.29) vs Francisco Liriano, LHP (9.57, 3.67, 3.36), 6:05 PM CT
We’ll probably see Denorfia get his first start here.
Odin’s day: Jason Hammel, RHP (7.51, 2.57, 3.96) vs Vance Worley, RHP (6.22, 2.26, 4.06), 6:05 PM CT
In a rare synergy, Vance Worley’s name and intimidation factor match up very nicely.
Thor’s day: Kyle Hendricks, RHP (6.42, 2.02, 3.58) vs Jeff Locke, LHP (6.76, 3.32, 4.14), 11:35 PM CT
Locke’s a solid sinkerballer who always seems to get hurt just as soon as it looks like he’s putting it together. These two pitchers will duke it out to see who can get by with the slowest fastball (non-Jered Weaver division).