Chicago Cubs Notes: Team welcomes in Tampa Bay for Fourth of July matchup

The Chicago Cubs hope for some home cooking on the Fourth of July as they welcome in Joe Maddon‘s former club, the Tampa Bay Rays, for a two-game set.

Back at the .500 mark for the 18th time this season, the Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field for the Fourth of July. In a matinee matchup, the reigning World Series champs take on a Tampa Bay Rays club very much in the hunt for an American League Wild Card Spot.

Jon Lester takes the ball on the mound for Chicago (41-41), hoping to make it five-straight quality starts. The veteran lefty pitched well his last time out, allowing just one tally in six innings of work. After missing out on a Cy Young Award in 2016, he’s been more middle-of-the-pack this season, but remains capable of dominating any given start.

This showdown marks the first time Joe Maddon faces his former team. After then-general manager Andrew Friedman left Tampa Bay following the 2014 season, the skipper utilized an opt-out in his deal to come to Chicago and, eventually, win the World Series.

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Since joining the Cubs, Maddon owns a 241-164 record. In his first two seasons, the team reached a National League Championship Series. Last year, of course, they won their first World Series in 108 years.

The connections don’t stop there. Tampa Bay sends former Cubs prospect Chris Archer to the hill on the Fourth. Rumors continue to swirl around the right-hander and a potential reunion, but a cost is sure to be steep.

He’s yet to emerge as a dominant starter, but given his youth and team control, the Cubs’ interest makes a lot of sense. Whether or not Chicago pulls the trigger remains to be seen, but the appeal is definitely understandable.

Starting lineups

https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/882261570495148034

What’s Next

Chicago and Tampa Bay conclude their brief two-game set at Wrigley Field Wednesday.

First pitch is at 1:20 p.m. Struggling left-hander John Lackey squares off against Blake Snell.