Game Thread: Kingham returns yet again to try to right the ship

With the Pirates having lost eight of their last ten games, Nick Kingham (2-1, 3.44) has been recalled for the third time in the young season, this time to take Ivan Nova’s spot in the rotation as he heads to the disabled list with finger discomfort on his throwing hand.

In addition to his three starts with the Pirates, for whom he’s walked only two and K’d 21 in 18 innings, Kingham has made six starts at Triple-A Indianapolis and one with Double-A Altoona, with a combined ERA of 2.86.

The Cubs will send out their second left-hander in as many games, the now familiar face of Jon Lester, who in ten starts this year has put up a 2.37 ERA, tenth best in the majors. Now in his fourth year with the Cubs, Lester has faced the Pirates 13 times, compiling a 5-5 record and a 3.50 ERA.

Francisco will miss his third straight start with flu-like symptoms and Austin Meadows replaces Gregory Polanco for the second day, while Corey Dickerson will sit vs the left-handed starter, spelled in left field by Sean Rodriguez.

Chicago will send six left handed bats up to face Kingham, while the Pirates have eight righties to face Lester, with Meadows being the only same sided swinger he’ll get to face.

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CUBS

1 S Ben Zobrist 2B

2 L Kyle Schwarber LF

3 R Kris Bryant 3B

4 L Anthony Rizzo 1B

5 R Willson Contreras C

6 S Ian Happ CF

7 R Addison Russell SS

8 L Jason Heyward RF

9 L Jon Lester LHP

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PIRATES

1 R Josh Harrison 2B

2 L Austin Meadows RF

3 R Starling Marte CF

4 S Josh Bell 1B

5 R David Freese 3B

6 R Sean Rodriguez LF

7 R Elias Diaz C

8 R Jordy Mercer SS

9 R Nick Kingham RHP