Chicago Cubs go for sweep against White Sox, Chris Sale

Cubs go for 10th in a row against Sox, Sale

If the Chicago Cubs intend to win the Crosstown Cup, they’ll indeed have to earn it. The White Sox send their talented lefty Chris Sale (10-7, 3.47) to face the Cubs Dan Haren (8-7, 3.55), who is coming off his first win since joining the Cubs. The win was also number 150 for Haren’s career.

A win by the Cubs (67-48) could push their win streak to 10, and put them 20 games over .500. Anthony Rizzo continues to be a key cog in the winning wheel, but Kris Bryant has played a large part of it as well. Bryant is on a 12-game hitting streak, batting .350 (14-for-40) in that stretch. It is the third streak of 10 games or more for the rookie. Kyle Schwarber welcomed himself to the rivalry with a big RBI yesterday and was rewarded with half a beer thrown in his direction as he went to field a ball in the left field corner. “Tall boy. Wasn’t even drank all the way.” said Schwarber. Welcome to the rivalry Hulk.

The White Sox (54-60) remain in the Wild Card hunt in the Al, but now sit five games behind the Angels for the second Wild Card. Sale won in his only other start against the Cubs, a win back on July 11. After two outings of allowing seven runs, Sale bounced back to allow just two runs to the Angels in his last outing.

The Cubs will be looking for their 16th win in their last 17 games. The last time that happened was July of 1945–the last season the Cubs appeared in the World Series. The Pirates continue to win as well as the Cubs remain 1 1/2 games back for the top Wild Card spot.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT at U.S. Cellular. Here are the lineups for today’s series finale: https://twitter.com/mlblineups/status/632931436845096960 https://twitter.com/mlblineups/status/632937504581136385