Cubs @ Pirates: Lester vs Nicasio (Game 26)
Morning baseball! Do you like butter or jam on your sweep?
CHC (19-6): LHP Jon Lester (2-1, 1.83)
PIT (15-12): RHP Juan Nicasio (3-2, 3.33)
First pitch: 11:35amCST
Lester went 7 innings of one-run ball against Atlanta on Friday but took a no-decision in a game the Cubs went on to win 6-1. He struck out 10 and walked 2. In three games against the Pirates last year, Lester went 2-1 with a 1.57. Joyce is 4-11 with 2 HR against him. McCutchen is 1-13.
Nicasio beat the Reds his last time out (7 IP, 0 ER, 8 Ks, 1 BB). He was 1-3 with a 1.56 with the Dodgers last year, with all but one of his 53 appearances out of the pen. The Cubs are 16-58 (.276) against him. Heyward is 6-16. Ross is 2-7.
Szczur ended up going on the DL with a strained right hamstring. Villanueva was put on the 60-day DL to make room for Kalish, who got the call. It sounds like Heyward will avoid a DL stint for his wrist, but he might be out for a few more days.
After last night's clinic/performance and the lefty Lester on the mound against Pittsburgh's right-hitting line-up, we should expect to see Baez at 3rd again. The more I see of him there, the better Bryant looks in the OF.
After the game, it’s back to Chicago to open a 10-game homestand against the Nationals, Padres, and these Pirates. Ross (3-0, 0.79) vs Hendricks (1-2, 3.91) tomorrow at 7:05pmCST.
Go, Cubs!
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