The Cubs have played fewer road games (25) than all but one other team (Orioles, 23). Nevertheless, they have won more road games (17) than all but three other teams, and even then, only a couple fewer than the Mariners, Nationals and Giants, who all have 19 road victories.
And their current road winning percentage (.680) would equate to 55 road wins in a full season. The team record for road wins in a season is 60, set in 1906. That's also the major-league record. The top four Cubs road win totals are all from that ancient era. In addition to the record, the Cubs won 57 road games in 1909, 53 in 1907 and 52 in 1908.
The most Cubs road wins in a season since then is 49, in 1945. The 2015 Cubs almost got there, with 48. This year's team could break 50 road wins. The most road wins any team has had since the introduction of the 162-game schedule is 59 (2001 Mariners). For National League teams, it's 53 (1972 and 1976 Reds, 1986 Mets, 1993 Giants, 1993 Braves). It's not impossible for the Cubs to get there.
Let's start tonight, shall we?
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Here are today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Fowler CF, Heyward RF, Bryant 3B, Rizzo 1B, Soler LF, Baez 2B, Russell SS, Ross C, Lester P
Phillies lineup:
Hernandez 2B, Galvis SS, Joseph 1B, Franco 3B, Rupp C, Goeddel LF, Bourjos CF, Paredes RF, Morgan P
Jon Lester
vs
Adam Morgan
As noted in the series preview, all three of these games are pitching rematches of the series at Wrigley between these teams. On May 27, Jon Lester gave up one earned run in 6⅓ innings, while the Cubs knocked Adam Morgan around, scoring six times in four innings, including three home runs (Dexter Fowler, David Ross, Kris Bryant). Since then Lester has a CG win against the Dodgers (with 10 strikeouts) and Morgan got hit hard by the Nationals (six runs in six innings, two more homers).
Today's game is on CSN Chicago. Outside the Chicago and Philadelphia markets it can be seen on ESPN2.
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.