Cubs @ Cleveland Series Preview (August 11-12): TV and Game Info, Starting Pitchers, Insights
The Cubs did not play this weekend as the Cardinals continued to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak. The unexpected four-day layoff came amid an excellent 10-3 start to Chicago’s season. The Cubs resume their season with a pair of games in Cleveland starting Tuesday.
Terry Francona‘s team has won two straight and finds itself in third place in the AL Central with a 10-7 record. The starting pitching has been their strong suit, specifically young ace Shane Bieber. The offense has struggled despite the continued presence of shortstop Francisco Lindor in the heart of the order.
Cleveland had to send Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger away to quarantine after they broke virus protocol and left the team hotel over the weekend in Chicago. Clevinger was initially slated to start Tuesday’s game, so the Cubs may have caught a bit of a break there.
Manager David Ross and team leaders like Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo have kept everyone focused on the task at hand. Let’s hope that can continue at Progressive Field, even if they have a face a rain delay at some point over the next two days. Wait, maybe that’s a good thing.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Tuesday, August 11 at 6:10pm CT on Fox Sports 1 and Marquee Sports
- Wednesday, August 12 at 5:10pm CT on Marquee Sports
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 8/11 | Jon Lester | 36 | L | 0.82 | 1-0 | 4.06 | 2.50 |
| Adam Plutko | 28 | R | 2.57 | 1-0 | 5.26 | N/A | |
| 8/12 | Kyle Hendricks | 30 | R | 3.54 | 2-1 | 2.43 | 7.50 |
| Carlos Carrasco | 33 | R | 2.50 | 2-1 | 3.75 | 3.83 |
What to Watch For
- Ian Happ looks like he is going to get a majority of the playing time in center according to Ross. Nico Hoerner may also get a start or two against tough lefties.
- Francona has missed the last couple of series with an illness.
- Kyle Schwarber always seems to have big games in his home state of Ohio.
