Pregame Notes: Cubs, Nationals ready for day-night doubleheader

The Chicago Cubs (34-44) will look to pick up a series win against the Washington Nationals (41-38) on Saturday, needing to win just one of the two games of today’s doubleheader to take the series.

In the afternoon tilt, Chicago will hand the ball to right-hander Dallas Beeler (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who is making his big league debut after being taken in the 41st round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Cubs. Since the teams are playing a doubleheader, MLB rules allow the addition of a 26th player to the active roster for the day, in this case, Beeler.

In his first season with Triple-A Iowa, Beeler is 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA in ten starts.

He will be opposed by a veteran southpaw, Gio Gonzalez (4-4, 4.38 ERA), who has struggled to regain the dominating fastball he once had. His fastball velocity has regularly sat in the low 90s, when he formerly tossed somewhere in the mid-nineties when throwing his fastball. Regardless, he could always prove to be a tough go for Cubs hitters.

Today’s opener will be carried by WGN both television-wise and over the airwaves. First pitch is slated for 12:05 p.m. CT.

Here are today’s starting lineups.