The Cubs are 9-4 against the Nats since the beginning of 2015 and have won the last two series played between the two clubs.
How about we make that "last three series" this afternoon?
And then maybe these two clubs will meet again in the postseason.
One more note: Cubs Hall of Famer Billy Williams turns 78 today. I think it would be a fine gift for the Cubs to win on his birthday -- especially because it's also the birthday of Nats manager Dusty Baker, who is 67 today. Here's the boxscore from the first game in which both Baker and Williams played, June 10, 1969, just a bit more than 47 years ago. The Cubs won that game 3-1. I'd take that today.
Here are today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Zobrist 2B, Heyward RF, Bryant LF, Rizzo 1B, Montero C, Almora CF, Baez 3B, Russell SS, Hammel P
Rubber game in D.C.!
— #VoteCubs (@Cubs) June 15, 2016
Game preview: https://t.co/uAbWbGLde7 #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/YUHFXuryCe
A day off for Dexter Fowler, and Albert Almora Jr. gets his first start in center field.
It's two hours to game time and the Nats have not yet posted a lineup. Maybe they're out celebrating Dusty's birthday or something. I'll post it in the comments (and on Twitter) when it's available.
Jason Hammel
vs
Stephen Strasburg
Jason Hammel had a not-so-great outing against the Nats May 7 at Wrigley Field, allowing four hits, four walks and three runs in five innings, throwing 97 pitches. He'll have to do better than that to win this one. And in the past, he's done well against the Nats. In three starts as a Cub before 2016 vs. Washington, Hammel threw 22⅓ innings and allowed 15 hits and six earned runs (2.42 ERA) with five walks and 20 strikeouts. He has a career 3.02 ERA in seven starts (47⅔ innings) at Nationals Park and has never lost there (6-0).
If you think it's been a long time since the Cubs have faced Stephen Strasburg, you're right. He was the only Nats starter the Cubs missed in the series at Wrigley earlier this year. They didn't face him last year, either, or in 2014... August 22, 2013 was the last time, and there are more ex-Cubs in the Nats lineup from that game (four), than there are current Cubs who played for the Cubs on that day (two: Anthony Rizzo and Pedro Strop).
Strasburg is 10-0. The Nats are 12-1 in games he's started. A lot of that is from run support, as he is second in the N.L. in run support per start at 6.8 (only Jake Arrieta has had more). Strasburg's numbers are good... but if you can hold the Nats down offensively, he can be defeated. Four of his wins are against really bad teams (Braves, Twins, Phillies). Current Cubs are hitting .273 (21-for-77) against Strasburg with one home run (Jason Heyward).
Today's game is on WGN. Click here for a list of WGN's affiliates in the Cubs market territory. Unless there's an agreement before game time, if you have Dish Network you will not be able to watch this game, as they are currently in a dispute with Tribune Media over carrying WGN and its other stations.
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.