Game No. 143 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Chicago Cubs

Houston Astros (75-67) vs. Chicago Cubs (90-51), September 11, 2016, 7:05 PM CT

TV: ESPN
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV, Watch ESPN
Cubs SBNation Blog: Bleed Cubbie Blue

Pitching Matchup

RHP Mike Fiers (10-6, 4.29 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (16-6, 2.84 ERA, 1.05 WHIP)

Preview

The Houston Astros will be on a national stage on Sunday night in the rubber match wit the Cubs. It will be the only remaining game that Houston will play on ESPN/FOX/TBS in 2016 unless the team makes the playoff

It’s a good thing the Astros have a fighting chance with the pitching matchup. Let’s take a look at it...oh wait. No Keuchel? It’s Mike...sigh..Fiers against the 2015 NL Cy Young award winner, Jake Arrieta. This should end well. But the same could be said for the matchup yesterday. You never know.

Arrieta is 4-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 33 2/3 innings over the month of August. In his last start, Arrieta allowed two runs on four hits over six innings in a loss against the Giants on Sept. 3.

Arrieta is making his first career start at Minute Maid Park. Current Astros are batting .200 (2x10) against Arrieta with .333 BABIP, -1.35 FIP, 45.5 K%, and a 0.0 BB%.

Colby Rasmus is 1-for-4 with a double in his career against Arrieta.

Mike Fiers has been serviceable during the month of August. He is 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA over six starts. He won his last start, Sept. 5 against the Indians, allowing two earned runs on seven hits over five innings.

Fiers is 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA in 5 career games (four starts) against the Cubs. Current Cubs are batting .203 (12x59) against Fiers with a .256 BABIP, 3.27 FIP, 30.3 K%, and 7.6 BB%.