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It's simple. Win and have the Pirates lose to the Reds, and Wednesday's wild-card game will be at Wrigley Field.
Any other result and the Cubs head to Pittsburgh. Which is OK, as they went 6-4 against the Pirates at PNC Park this year, winning three of the last four played there.
Play ball. Can't wait. Remember all games today (except for the first game of the Cardinals/Braves doubleheader) start at 2:05 or 2:10 CT.
Here are today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Jackson CF, Coghlan RF, Bryant 3B, Rizzo 1B, Castro 2B, Denorfia LF, Montero C, Russell SS, Haren P
Finish strong. Game preview: http://t.co/9fj81zLd3Z #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/5LqxUQ4ake
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 4, 2015
Brewers lineup:
Gennett 2B, Peterson RF, Lind 1B, Davis LF, Santana CF, Perez 3B, Segura SS, Maldonado C, Lopez P
Today's Starting Pitchers |
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I don't recall a situation like this in Cubs history, not recently, anyway, where we knew the Cubs starter on the last day of the regular season was also likely making his last appearance in a big-league uniform.
But that's where we likely are with Dan Haren, who has strongly hinted he'll retire after 2015. He's done a decent job for the Cubs, better lately (2.08 ERA over his last four starts) and his one start vs. the Brewers this year (August 11 at Wrigley Field) was at least competent.
Go out on top, Dan. That'd be a great way to end a career.
Jorge Lopez, the Brewers' 2nd-round pick in 2011 (selected two choices after the Cubs picked Dan Vogelbach), made his major-league debut last Tuesday against the Padres. He gave up eight hits and three runs in five innings -- in a pitchers' park. He had a good year in the minor leagues: 12-5, 2.26 ERA, 1.095 WHIP, 137 strikeouts in 143⅓ innings -- but like his teammate Tyler Wagner, that was posted in Double-A. His start Tuesday was his first action above Double-A.
You'd think the Cubs should be able to handle a guy like this.
Today's game is on WGN. For coverage info in other Midwest markets click here (link opens .pdf).
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
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The 2015 Game Thread procedure has changed a bit. Here's how it will work going forward.
You'll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream™ containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.
You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). They will also appear in the game's StoryStream™ as noted above.
The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.
Discuss amongst yourselves.