The Chicago Cubs lost their first exhibition game of the summer last night, and now they must win to end a winning recording … oh, who are we kidding? The results of these games matter very little. What matters a lot is the health of every player on the field, the final adjustment opportunity these games provide, particularly for pitchers, and the subtle morale boost for those of us who have greatly missed baseball.
Still … I’d like to beat the White Sox tonight.
Yu Darvish would also like to beat the White Sox in their last start before the regular season: They will pitch next Saturday against Milwaukee. He will face a lineup of South Side regulars at his home ballpark and turn in at bat to Kyle Schwarber, DH.
Dallas Keuchel, one of the many free agents signed by the White Sox this offseason, will start against Darvish, though he probably won’t face the two boys who have had the most experience against him: third receiver Josh Phegley (4-22, 3Ks) and second baseman Jason Kipnis (7-24, 4Ks). Steven Souza Jr., batting fifth and playing left field, is 2-7 against Keuchel with a walk and strikeout, and Anthony Rizzo, who is not yet playing, is 2-7 with a home run and walk.
I’m not saying, I’m just saying: Nick Castellanos is 6-16 with a double, a home run and a walk against Keuchel for his career. However, that probably won’t matter this season, right? The Cubs only play the White Sox in … 10% of their regular season games.
Well. Come on, puppies.
Game information
Chicago White Sox (1-0) at Chicago Cubs (0-1) – Monday, July 20 at 7:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago and Marquee Sports Network (Audio at 670 The Score and WGN 720)
Initial Launchers
White Sox: Dallas Keuchel (L)
versus
Cubs: Yu Darvish (R)
Chicago Cubs:
1. Kris Bryant, 1B
2. David Bote, 3B
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Kyle Schwarber, DH
5. Steven Souza Jr., LF
6. Jason Heyward, RF
7. Albert Almora Jr., CF
8. Nico Hoerner, 2B
9. Victor Caratini, C
Chicago White Sox:
1. Tim Anderson, SS
2. Yoan Moncada, 3B
3. José Abreu, 1B
4. Edwin Encarnación, DH
5. Eloy Jiménez, LF
6. Luis Robert, CF
7. Leury Garcia, RF
8. James McCann, C
9. Nick Madrigal, 2B
