Yes, we have to.
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Whom:
Cubs vs. Chicago (AL)
When:
7:10 PM Chicago Time
Where:
The plot of land formerly known as Comiskey
Weather:
Temperature around eighty degrees, wind blowing in from center/right-center at about ten miles per hour.
Starting Pitchers:
Keegan Thompson vs. Dallas Keuchel
The Opponent:
Yasmani Grandal, Adam Engel, and Billy Hamilton are all still on the IL, but all sound to be rather close to returning as of the latest updates I’m seeing.
Keuchel’s demonstrating a good ERA/FIP split, as is often the case with him, but his ERA’s still only 4.71 and his xERA’s all the way up at 5.88 (with FIP between the two at 5.20). He’s hittable.
The Numbers:
The Cubs are +190 underdogs. The Sox are at -210, so the implied Cubs win probability is roughly 32%. Over/under’s at nine and leans towards the over.
Cubs News:
Nothing too major of note, although the Tennessee Smokies, the Cubs’ AA affiliate, had to cancel their weekend series due to Covid issues.
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Draft Watch:
With the Twins losing, the Cubs are back to eighth in the order, with the Royals two games away at ninth and both Minnesota and Washington within half a game at seventh and sixth, respectively.
The Diaspora:
Kris Bryant homered again last night for the Giants as they won in Queens. Javy Báez had two hits, including a double. Ryan Tepera and Craig Kimbrel each threw a scoreless inning for the Sox in their win in Toronto, with Kimbrel getting the save. Kyle Schwarber reached base five times for the Red Sox, doubling once and walking on the other four trips. Yu Darvish returned from the IL, striking out six, walking one, and allowing four runs over six innings while allowing a home run. Anthony Rizzo doubled for the Yankees. Andrew Chafin pitched a scoreless inning for the A’s.
Around the Division:
The Cardinals allowed the Pirates to score eight in the seventh, falling 11-7. The Reds beat the Brewers, 5-1. The Reds are now two up on the Padres in the wild card race and four and a half up on the Cardinals.
Tejay Antone will indeed undergo Tommy John surgery, a big loss for Cincinnati.
Cubs Thoughts:
Hoping for a good outing from Thompson, who was rather underwhelming against the Royals his last time out. Maybe something like 5 IP, 5 K, 2 BB, 1 HR?
