Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Chicago Cubs (39-16) | Philadelphia Phillies (28-29) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Jon Lester | LHP | Adam Morgan | ||
| (6-3, 2.29 ERA) | (1-4, 7.07) | ||||
Things have not gone too well for Adam Morgan going back to the Cubs series at Wrigley where he got hit around for six earned runs in four innings, including three home runs allowed. Morgan would then cough up another six spot against the Nationals in the start after that. With Zach Eflin and Jake Thompson pitching well in Triple-A, it can't be too welcoming for the struggling southpaw to now have yet another crack at the powerhouse Cubs.
As for Jon Lester, he is coming off his best outing of the season where he pitched a complete game against the Dodgers, striking out ten. Back on May 27 when him and Morgan last locked horns, he allowed two runs (one earned) and struck out seven over 6.1 innings.
Pete Mackanin is throwing all the righties at Lester tonight. Odubel Herrera gets a blow which will move Cesar Hernandez, who collected some good hits over the weekend, to the lead off spot. Peter Bourjos assumes center with Tyler Goeddel and Jimmy Paredes manning the corner outfield.
Starting Lineups:
| Chicago Cubs (39-16) | Philadelphia Phillies (28-29) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Dexter Fowler | S | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | RF | Jason Heyward | L | 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 3 | 3B | Kris Bryant | R | 3 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 4 | 1B | Anthony Rizzo | L | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 5 | LF | Jorge Soler | R | 5 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 6 | 2B | Javier Baez | R | 6 | LF | Tyler Goeddel | R |
| 7 | SS | Addison Russell | R | 7 | CF | Peter Bourjos | R |
| 8 | C | David Ross | R | 8 | RF | Jimmy Paredes | S |
| 9 | SP | Jon Lester | L | 9 | SP | Adam Morgan | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN, ESPN2 (out-of-market-only)
- Radio: 94.1 WIP
What's Next:
Saturday, May 28, 2016: at Chicago Cubs 2:20 PM ET
- RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-4, 2.84 ERA) vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff (2-8, 3.93 ERA)
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94.1 WIP
Greg Vince (@GregVince) of Philliedelphia.com.
