2017 Season Game Thread

TB (44-41): LHP Blake Snell (0-5, 5.36) 
CHC (41-42): RHP John Lackey (5-9, 5.24) 
First pitch: 1:20pmCST

Lackey gave up 8 ER in 5.1 innings to lose to the Nationals on Wednesday. He’s been equally shitty at home and on the road (1-4, 5.13 and 4-5, 5.33, respectively) and month after month (a 5.00+ ERA in April, May, and June). 

Overall, the Rays are 31-104 (.298) against him. Longoria is 14-40 with 2 HR.

TB (43-41): RHP Chris Archer (6-5, 3.92) 
CHC (41-41): LHP Jon Lester (5-4, 3.69) 
First pitch: 1:20pmCST

For their last 20 games, 17 of which were on the road, the Cubs went 10-10—because that is what they do. So far this season, they are 22-16 at Wrigley.

CHC (40-40): RHP Eddie Butler (4-2, 3.71)
CIN (34-45): RHP Jackson Stephens (0-0, —)
First pitch: 3:10pmCST

Stephens makes his MLB debut, the fifth starter and eighth pitcher to do so this season for the Reds. He was 4-4 with a 4.97 in 14 starts (15 appearances) for AAA-Louisville, where he spent most of the season. If we don’t light this guy up, I might need to take a break from baseball for a few days--maybe early next week.

CHC (40-39): LHP Mike Montgomery (1-4, 2.50) 
CIN (33-45): RHP Scott Feldman (6-5, 4.07) 
First pitch: 6:10pmCST

Just when you’re ready to give up on the season and see what you have queued up in Netflix, the Cubs give a glimpse of what they’re capable of. If splitting the series in Washington was an acceptable outcome--given the pitching matchups, it might have even been the best case scenario--leaving on a high note (despite Montero’s mouth and Bryant’s ankle) is more than acceptable—maybe even more optimal. 

CHC (39-39): LHP Jon Lester (5-4, 3.83)
WAS (47-31): RHP Joe Ross (4-3, 5.40) 
First pitch: 3:05pmCST

Lester won in Miami on Saturday (7 IP, 3 ER, 4 K, 1 BB). Overall, the Nationals are 32-136 (.235) against him. Wieters is 16-47.

Ross beat the Reds his last time out (7 IP, 1 ER, 5 K, 1 BB). The Cubs are 9-29 (.310) against him. Jay and LaStella are 2-3.

CHC (39-38): RHP John Lackey (5-8, 4.74) 
WAS (46-31): RHP Stephen Strasburg (8-2, 3.57)
First pitch: 6:05pmCST

Lackey had his second strong outing in a row on Friday in Miami (6 IP, 1 ER, 4 K, 2 BB) but ended up with the loss, thanks to the Cubs “offense,” which decided it was too hot and took the game off. Overall, the Nationals are 49-165 (.297) against him. Lind is 18-43.

CHC (39-37): RHP Jake Arrieta (7-5, 4.36) 
WAS (45-31): RHP Max Scherzer (8-5, 2.09)
First pitch: 6:05pmCST

Arrieta beat the Marlins on Thursday (7 IP, 1 ER, 3 K, 0 BB). Overall, the Nationals are 26-115 (.226) against him. Harper is 4-12.

Scherzer gave up 2 runs over 8 innings and managed to lose to the Marlins his last time out. He would have more wins, if the Nats bats weren’t so stingy when he’s on the mound. The team is averaging almost 5.6 runs per game, but are only scoring an average of 3.8 for him. Sorry, Max.

CHC (38-36): LHP Mike Montgomery (1-3, 2.26) 
MIA (34-39): RHP Edinson Volquez (3-8, 4.19) 
First pitch: 12:10pmCST

Montgomery kept the Padres off the board for 6 innings for the win on Tuesday. He pitched 3.1 scoreless innings out of the pen backing up Butler on June 5 against the Marlins, for his second save of the season. Overall, they are 3-12 (.250) against him. Ozuna, Riddle, and Ichiro have the hits.

CHC (37-36): LHP Jon Lester (4-4, 3.83) 
MIA (34-38): LHP Justin Nicolino (0-1, 5.06) 
First pitch: 3:10pmCST

Lester went 6 innings of two-run ball but had a no-decision against the Padres on Monday. He’s 1-3 with a 5.86 on the road this season. The Marlins are 40-116 (.345) against him. Prado is 6-13, and Stanton is 2-6. Both of his Hs are HRs, which may or may not have landed yet.