Chicago Cubs still have hope–with help–to host Wild Card game

Hendricks takes the mound in must-win game for Cubs

With two games left, the Chicago Cubs still have an outside chance of hosting the Wild Card playoff game–but they’ll need some help. For what they can control, they send Kyle Hendricks (7-7, 4.09) to the mound who hopes to avoid his 20th no-decision of the season. The Milwaukee Brewers will counter with Tyler Wagner (0-1, 11.74). He’ll be making just his third start after winning the Double-A Southern League ERA title. 

The Cubs (95-65) need the Reds to beat the Pirates in their final two games while they hopefully can sweep the Brewers (68-92). That would leave the two teams in a tie, and the Cubs have the tiebreaker. Hendricks has pitched well in three starts against the Brewers posting a 1-1 record with a 1.96 ERA. He’s also coming off of six shutout innings against the Royals in his last start.

Wagner was one of the young arms the Brewers wanted to look at down the stretch after removing Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse from the rotation. His performances thus far have not been pretty as he’s failed to get past the fourth inning in his first two.

Kris Bryant is still in search of that elusive 100th RBI but will get the chance today against Wagner who has not been at his best. Maddon is also employing a more standard looking lineup with Hendricks batting in the nine spot.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT at Miller Park. CSN will have the television coverage while WBBM 780 will have the radio broadcast.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s action: