Cubs Set Pitching Probables for Royals Series

The Chicago Cubs are preparing to host the Kansas City Royals for three game starting on Friday.

The Chicago Cubs have set their pitching probables for their series this weekend with the Kansas City Royals.

First pitch for all three games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is set for 1:20 p.m. central.

Jameson Taillon (7-7, 5.71) will start for the Cubs on Friday.

Taillon is coming off one of his worst starts of the season, as he gave up eight hits and eight earned runs in three innings against Toronto on Sunday. He walked two and struck out two as he took the loss.

Still, he’s been one of the Cubs’ best pitchers the last seven weeks, as he’s 5-1 with a 3.79 ERA in his last seven starts, with 32 strikeouts and 12 walks.

Justin Steele (13-3, 2.79) will follow on Saturday. He last pitched against Toronto on Saturday, as he threw five innings, giving up six hits and three earned runs in a no-decision. He struck out seven and walked none.

Like Taillon, he’s been solid in his last seven starts, going 4-1 with a 3.54 ERA, with 44 strikeouts against nine walks in 40.2 innings.

Kyle Hendricks (4-6, 4.00) will start on Sunday. He started against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, pitching six innings and giving up seven hits in a no-decision. He gave up three earned runs and two walks, while striking out four.

In his last seven starts he’s gone 1-3 with a 5.31 ERA, striking out 29 and walking six in 39 innings.

The probables were designated after the Cubs learned that Marcus Stroman had a right rib cartilage fracture and would be out indefinitely. The Cubs had hoped he would start on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox.

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