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1:10 p.m. Does that sound unfamiliar?
It should. The Cubs have played just one game this month with a starting time earlier that 3:05 CT -- that was two weeks ago today, June 6 in Washington, an 11:05 a.m. CT start. Today is just the fourth day game the Cubs have played in June, of a total of 18. And of the 10 games remaining in June after today, just two are day games (tomorrow at Minnesota, and next Thursday at Wrigley against the Dodgers).
This is not to complain or anything like that -- just pointing out something that's pretty unusual, even in modern night-game-heavy schedules. The fact that the Cubs play twice on Sunday night this month (last Sunday vs. the Reds, June 28 at St. Louis) has something to do with this, too.
Enjoy the afternoon.
Here are today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Fowler CF, Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Coghlan LF, Castro SS, Schwarber DH, Denorfia RF, Ross C, Russell 2B
.@JLester34 takes the hill today in Minnesota. #LetsGo
Game preview: http://t.co/37GpbFbv8u pic.twitter.com/njPOhiCBNC
— #VoteCubs (@Cubs) June 20, 2015
Twins lineup:
Dozier 2B, Rosario LF, Mauer DH, Plouffe 3B, Hunter RF, Suzuki C, Vargas 1B, Escobar SS, Buxton CF
Today's Starting Pitchers |
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Jon Lester pitched very well in his last start, Sunday at Wrigley Field against the Reds. I'd like to see that continue. I'm sure you would too. The last time he faced the Twins, August 7, 2014 in Oakland, he threw a three-hit shutout. You don't really want to know his career ERA at Target Field, though. If you insist on finding out, click here. Current members of the Twins are hitting .288 (36-for-125) against Lester; much of that is from Torii Hunter (14-for-28).
Trevor May has never faced the Cubs or anyone on their current 25-man roster. He's pitched reasonably well in 12 starts this year (4.26 ERA, 1.271 WHIP) and has a 2.00 ERA in three starts in June. That's all I've got on May, and most of the young Cubs hitters didn't see him in the minors, either, as he pitched in different leagues than most Cubs farm teams inhabit. Hope they have good scouting reports on him.
Today's game is on ABC7 Chicago. 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
Please visit our SB Nation Twins site Twinkie Town. If you do go there to interact with Twins fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
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.