Don't Forget Lackey has been there before pitching in one of the most intense places to pitch on the planet and that's Boston and Fenway Park.
I was a Lackey detractor until I saw him go through his Red Sox experience. There isn't many other guys I would rather have pitching tonight besides maybe 2 or 3 obvious names. Lackey beat another Red Sox pitcher
just the other day in Lester. I would be shocked if he doesn't come up with a strong game tonight.
:rimshot
No doubt Lackey pitched very well in Game 1, but he was also the recipient of a very generous strike zone. It is a lot easier to pitch well if you can consistently get calls up above and 6 inches outside the zone. Not trying to take anything away from him - it's a smart move to keep throwing it there if you're going to keep getting it called a strike. Just don't think he can expect that again.
I look more at the fact that he turns 37 next week and is coming back on short rest. I can't imagine he goes more than 5 here and both Siegrist and Wainwright each threw a lot of pitches yesterday.
Not advocating for the Cubs either though - Hammel's age and 5.1 ERA in the 2nd half don't strike fear in the hearts of hitters either. I think he goes 5 max as well.
Overall I expect a game a lot more similar to yesterday than Game 1 but this Cubs offense is pretty schizo. They can mash with the best of them but also swing and miss prodigiously as well.
opcorn2