Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies Preview, Friday 8/19, 7:40 CT

A few notes on the Cubs' recent run:

• The Cubs have gone on an 18-3 run for the first time since 1945.
• They have won 77 games in their first 120 decisions for the first time since 1929, when they were 82-38. ("Decisions" because in 1929, they were 82-38 after 124 games, with four ties.)
• They're 25-8 since July 10, nearly matching their 25-6 start to this season.
• The recent run has put the Cubs on pace for 104 wins, which would be the most for any Cubs team since 1910 and tied for third-most in franchise history.
• The current run differential of +209 is the best for any Cubs team since they finished the 1935 season at +250 (H/T: Ed Hartig). The franchise record is +323 in 1906.

Now, onward to bigger and better things.

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Here are today's particulars.

Cubs lineup:

Fowler CF, Bryant 3B, Rizzo 1B, Soler RF, Russell SS, Szczur LF, Contreras C, Baez 2B, Hendricks P

.@kylehendricks28 opens our nine-game road trip tonight in Colorado.

Game preview: https://t.co/T8g1AHlpj4 #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/D6KWN3LzbH

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 19, 2016

An all-righthanded lineup (except for Anthony Rizzo) against the lefthanded Tyler Anderson.

The Rockies lineup was not available at posting time. Please check the BCB Twitter feed for the Rockies lineup.

Kyle Hendricks threw six decent innings against the Rockies April 15 at Wrigley Field (six innings, three earned runs) but the Cubs lost the game. Since June 19, Hendricks has been one of the best pitchers in baseball, with a 1.22 ERA and 1.010 WHIP in 11 appearances (10 starts). Coors Field has not been kind to him in the past (two starts, 4.38 ERA), though he has not allowed a home run there in 12⅓ innings.

Tyler Anderson made his major-league debut in June and has pitched reasonably well in 12 starts (3.42 ERA, 1.211 WHIP, only 12 walks in 71 innings). He's even pitched better at Coors Field (3.04 ERA, eight starts) than on the road (4.35 ERA, four starts). He has never faced the Cubs or anyone on the current Cubs roster.

Today's game is on CSN Chicago.

Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation 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.