Pregame Notes: Jon Lester, Cubs in rubber match vs Nats

The Chicago Cubs entered last night’s game having suffered back-to-back one-run losses but were able to come away with 3-2 walk-off win over the Nationals courtesy of Addison Russell.

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Las Vegas phenoms, Kris Bryant and Bryce Harper, each recorded solo home runs. Outfielder Dexter Fowler led off the game with a solo blast to right field in the very first inning off Nats’ pitcher Jordan Zimmermann to give Kyle Hendricks the early advantage.

Both starts had solid outings yesterday, allowing a combined two earned runs while Hendricks hurled six scoreless before giving up the game-tying home run to Harper in the seventh. Bryce thought he had just popped into a routine play, throwing his bat to the side in disappointment but soon realized he cleared the left-field ivy.

Shortly after Nats’ (27-19) Denard Span homered off Pedro Strop, Bryant launched a home run that nearly cleared the brand new video board in left, getting this crowd back into the game. Russell would follow that up with a pitch that went over Span’s head in center, allowing Jonathan Herrera to score from second base.

Tonight, Cubs’ (25-20) skipper Joe Maddon will turn to southpaw Jon Lester as he faces off with former Detroit Tigers’ star, Max Scherzer. Lester (4-2, 3.56 ERA) looks remain perfect in May, currently riding a four-game winning streak (three at home) despite picking up a no-decision against the Arizona Diamondbacks this past Friday. 

So far this month, Lester’s surrendered a combined seven earned runs behind 32 hits (five home runs) while posting a 27/10 K/BB ratio across 34 innings in five starts.

Scherzer (5-3, 1.67 ERA) on the other hand, has been absolutely lights out ever since debuting for the Nationals back on Apr. 6 with the Mets in town.

He’s only had one game this season in which he’s given up more than two earned runs after allowing the Miami Marlins to tag him for five on 10 hits in an outing he would still win on May 6.

This many is definitely going to give last year’s N.L. Cy Young winner, Clayton Kershaw, a run for his money this season for that high pitching honor. Scherzer is no stranger to serious competition, so tonight’s contest will test Chicago’s young stars. But don’t be surprised if this ends up being either another one-run decision.

This right here is the match-up that you do not want to miss.

Here’s a look at the starting lineup’s for both clubs:

First pitch is slated at 7:05 pm central time and will air live on CSN, MLB Network, and WBBM 780.

Next: More upside - Kris Bryant or Bryce Harper?