Look at it this way: the Cubs lost the first game in Atlanta, too, and looked pretty impotent offensively doing it. Then they scored 21 runs in the last two games of the set.
Yes, of course I know the Nats are a lot better than the Braves. But then, the Cubs are a good team, too, and this pitching matchup looks a lot more favorable to the Cubs than Monday's did.
Here are today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Fowler CF, Heyward RF, Bryant LF, Rizzo 1B, Zobrist 2B, Baez 3B, Russell SS, Ross C, Lackey P
Here is tonight's #Cubs lineup for the middle game in D.C.
— #VoteCubs (@Cubs) June 14, 2016
Game preview: https://t.co/mmzYf7Zbl9 #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/jEVoQi0ngk
Nationals lineup:
Revere CF, Werth LF, Harper RF, Murphy 2B, Zimmerman 1B, Rendon 3B, Espinosa SS, Lobaton C, Gonzalez P
John Lackey
vs
Gio Gonzalez
It could be argued that John Lackey is the Cubs' second-best starter right now, behind Jon Lester. Lackey's last six starts: 1.30 ERA, 0.768 WHIP, 44 strikeouts in 41⅔ innings. May 6 at Wrigley Field, he threw seven strong innings against the Nats: two runs allowed, 11 strikeouts. Another one like that, please.
Gio Gonzalez is having a year exactly in line with his career: 3.63 ERA, which is his lifetime ERA. Some good outings, some bad ones, recently more in line with "bad": 8.34 ERA, 1.588 WHIP over his last four starts, including five home runs allowed in 22⅔ innings. The Cubs hit him hard May 7 at Wrigley Field: seven hits and five runs in 5⅔ innings, including a home run by Kris Bryant.
Today's game is on ABC7 Chicago. Click here for a list of ABC7's affiliates in the Cubs market territory.
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
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The 2016 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used at the end of 2015. Here's how it works.
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.