Game Thread: Pirates, Cubs Push Start Of Game Up

You’re not going crazy. The Pirates and Cubs are going to start earlier than expected Thursday.

The first pitch of the rubber match will come at 7:35 p.m. rather than the originally planned 8:05 p.m. because of impending weather. Joe Musgrove (1-0, 0.00) will try to build off his strong first start against Jose Quintana (0-1, 10.29).

Musgrove did well against the Cubs last year, going seven innings of one run ball in both of his starts. He was even better in his first start of the season against the Reds, striking out eight in seven shutout innings.

Musgrove’s success that night came from his slider, getting 12 whiffs on 28 sliders. The Cubs have have hit the slider well so far this season, recording a .318 xwOBA against the pitch- the eighth best team mark in baseball.

In transaction news, the Pirates placed INF Kevin Newman on the 10 day injury list for a lacerated finger. The IL stint is retroactive to Apr. 9. INF Kevin Kramer will take his place.

Lineups

Pirates

2B Adam Frazier

CF Starling Marte

C Francisco Cervelli

1B Josh Bell

3B Jung Ho Kang

RF Melky Cabrera

LF Pablo Reyes

SS Erik Gonzalez

P Joe Musgrove

Cubs

RF Ben Zobrist

3B Kris Bryant

1B Anthony Rizzo

SS Javier Baez

LF Kyle Schwarber

CF Jason Heyward

2B Daniel Descalso

C Victor Caratini

P Jose Quintana