Cardinals @ Cubs – Series Preview (April 5 – April 8, 2015)

The 2015 season is finally here, and the Cubs get a golden opportunity on National television to serve notice that they are a team to be reckoned with in the NL Central.  Sure, I think winning the NL Central in 2015 is a reach, but that doesn’t mean the Cubs can’t make some noise, and turn some heads.  A revamped roster, and a confidence that hasn’t been seen here in the better part of a decade should help the Cubs compete, something they actually did last year when facing the Cardinals.  Despite another down year in 2014 the Cubs finished the season 9-10 against the Cardinals, all things considered that is not that bad seeing as the Red Birds won 90 games and the Central a year ago.  Speaking of things that are new this year…. the video board.

Yes, Wrigley Field is undergoing a massive face lift, and the video board will be on full display Sunday night, it’s extra-mongus, just like the 2015 expectations.  The other thing about the Wrigley construction is that it’s not done yet, and I’m sure ESPN will cover it extensively tonight.  There was a rumored plan to place Ernie Banks memorial tarps over the construction in the bleachers, I wasn’t thrilled about it, but it came out great, looks like it belongs.

Game One (April 5, 2015 – 7:05 PM CST – ESPN2)
Adam Wainwright  vs.  Jon Lester —

Wainwright:
2014 – (20 – 9, 2.42 ERA)
Career vs. Cubs [36 G/ 27 GS] – (11 – 7, 4.09 ERA)

Lester:
2014 – (16 – 11, 2.46 ERA)
Career vs. Cardinals [1 G / 1 GS] – (0 – 0, 2.45 ERA)

Game Two (April 7, 2015 – 7:05 PM CST – WGNTV)
Lance Lynn  vs.  Jake Arrieta —

Lynn:
2014 – (15 – 10, 2.74 ERA)
Career vs. Cubs – [11 G / 10 GS] – (6 – 3, 3.18 ERA)

Arrieta:
2014 – (10 – 5, 2.53 ERA)
Career vs. Cardinals – [5 G/ 5 GS] – (2 – 0, 0.92 ERA)

Game Three (April 8, 2015 – 1:20 PM CST – ABC 7)
John Lackey  vs.  Jason Hammel —

Lackey:
2014 – (14 – 10, 3.82 ERA)
Career vs. Cubs – [3 G / 3 GS] – (1 – 1, 2.70 ERA)

Hammel:
2014 – (10 – 11, 3.47 ERA)
Career vs. Cardinals – [4 G / 4 GS] – (1 – 2, 6.10 ERA)

Prediction:
Cubs win two out of three games, and Jorge Soler does bad things to Cardinals pitching.

June 15, 2012 – Cubs Lineup vs. Red Sox

The Red Sox and their fans invade Wrigley Field this afternoon through the weekend.  The Tigers fans took over Wrigley Field this past week, but this weekend might be much worse with the Red Sox fans.  Two historic teams playing at a historic field, doesn’t get much better than that.  Here is how the Cubs will line up behind Ryan Dempster.

 

Campana CF
Castro SS
DeJesus RF
Soriano LF
LaHair 1B
Clevenger C
Barney 2B
Valbuena 3B
Dempster P

 

Thanks for reading, go Cubs!
– George

Wrigley Ready for Opening Day

The familiar sights, sounds, and smells (good and bad) were there yesterday morning at Wrigley Field for the Cubs workout prior to today’s season opener against the Nationals.  One thing was out of place, “I don’t ever remember seeing ivy on the wall on opening day,” head groundskeeper Roger Baird said.  That’s right, when the Cubs take the field today, April 5^th, there will be green ivy on the walls.  Of course it’s nowhere near as lush as it would be in the heart of the summer but it’s still a welcome sight for fans and players alike.

April 5-8; vs. Washington – Series Preview

It’s finally here, opening day 2012.  Below is the series preview for the first three game set of the season.  We will run these segments at the beginning of every series this year.  Would really love some feedback in regards to this segment, really want to make it worthwhile to you, the reader.