Cubs-Bucs, Willy v Hamels, Lineup & Notes

Today: First pitch is set at 7:05 and the game will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. It’s a moocher’s delight match – free tee Friday and dollar dog night! It’s been an off-and-on rain day, so we’ll see what Mama Nature has in store for tonight.

Pitchers: RHP Trevor Williams (10-8, 3.66) takes on LHP Cole Hamels (7-9, 4.22). Willy has been Superman lately, spotting his fastball with laser accuracy and limiting hard contact to a minimum. He hasn’t faced the Cubs since April, but it was a strong outing, surrendering up a run on four hits over six innings with five whiffs. Hamels has been ditto since being a deadline pickup by Chicago, giving up two earned runs over 18 innings in three starts with the Cubs. The southpaw made his first start for the Baby Bruins against the Pirates on August 1st and struck out nine over five innings, picking up the win.

Lineup: Corey Dickerson LF, Starling Marte CF, Gregory Polanco RF, David Freese 3B, Fran Cervelli C, Josh Bell 1B, Josh Harrison 2B, Adeiny Hechavarria SS & Williams P. Swapping out Eli for Fran; otherwise same ol’ – Gregory batting third and Kevin Newman in witness protection.

Notes:

• S-Rod is taking BP with the team and is eligible to come off the DL, although the trainer says they’re being cautious with his ab injury.
• Kevin Newman isn’t worried about PT, per his interview with Chris Mueller on 93.7 The Fan. He said he’s ready to play in any role.
• HS Reunion: Trevor Williams and Cole Hamels are both graduates of Rancho Bernardo High in San Diego.
• Colin Moran quietly ranks third among NL rookies in RBI w/44.
• Definition of an average team: 61-61 record, 510 runs scored, 510 runs given up. That’s the Bucco line so far this year. The other two .500 teams in the NL might surprise you – they’re the Nats and Giants. They’ve done it in opposite ways – Washington has a +66 run differential and San Francisco’s is -34. 
• Kyle Glaser of Baseball America posted his predictions of the most likely call-ups yesterday; he hit Kevin Newman on the nose and thinks Kevin Kramer isn’t far behind.