Cubs @ Pirates: Hammel vs Cole (Game 24)
The Cubs (finally) face some real competition.
CHC (17-6): RHP Jason Hammel (3-0, 0.75)
PIT (15-10): RHP Gerrit Cole (2-2, 2.78)
First pitch: 6:05pmCST
None of the teams the Cubs have played so far are currently over .500. These next seven games will be a good test.
Hammel continued his solid start to the season, going 6 scoreless and striking out 7 to beat the Reds on Sunday in Cincinnati. The Pirates are 35-132 (.265) against him. McCutchen is 9-30 with 2 HR.
Cole won in Colorado his last time out (2 ER, 6 IP). He went 9-3 with a 2.83 at home last year. The Cubs are 28-107 (.262) against him. Rizzo is 6-17. A rainout last week permitted the Pirates to shuffle their rotation to have Cole start this game.
Speaking of rain, there’s a chance for it for all three days, but it looks like we’ll get the first two games in. Wednesday might be an issue.
With the off day and rainouts last week, Maddon is skpping Hendricks’ turn in the rotation, which would have been tomorrow. He'll next pitch against the Nationals. Instead, we'll see Arrieta (5-0, 1.00) vs Niese (3-0, 5.08) at 6:05pmCST. Good call.
Go, Cubs!
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