That gap in pedigree is a big reason the odds board looks upside down: Seattle, at 61-68, is priced as the moneyline favorite over a Cubs club that's 13 games better in the standings. A completely unproven arm getting more respect than a veteran with a track record is exactly the kind of thing a betting market has to guess at, not know.
Chicago has dropped two straight coming into this one, including the series opener here, a 5-6 loss. Seattle, meanwhile, is coming off a win in that same game and has quietly gone 3-2 in its last five — a modest bounce-back after getting run out of the building 22-0 by the Brewers, the worst loss in franchise history.
- Day-To-DayKevin Gausman (SP) — Gausman was removed from Tuesday's start against the White Sox with a left hand cramp, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.08/19
- 10-Day-ILMatt Shaw (RF) — Shaw (hand) is scheduled to embark on a rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Iowa, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.08/17
- 10-Day-ILDansby Swanson (SS) — The Cubs placed Swanson (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.08/17
- 15-Day-ILGavin Hollowell (RP) — Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Hollowell (shoulder) has resumed a throwing program, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.08/19
- 15-Day-ILEdward Cabrera (SP) — Cabrera pitched through a blister on his right middle finger during his start in Sunday's 11-4 loss to the Cardinals, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. He dropped to 5-5 on the season after striking out two batters while allowing seven earned runs on six hits and three walks across 3.2 innings.08/17
- 15-Day-ILHoby Milner (RP) — Milner (abdomen) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, tossing a scoreless inning.07/30
- 60-Day-ILPhil Maton (RP) — The Cubs transferred Maton (knee) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.08/19
- 60-Day-ILBen Brown (RP) — Brown (neck) is slated to throw against live hitters Friday at the Cubs' facility in Arizona, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.08/19
- 60-Day-ILRiley Martin (RP) — Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Martin (elbow) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.08/19
- 60-Day-ILHunter Harvey (RP) — Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Harvey's (triceps/shoulder) rehab hasn't come along as hoped, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.08/19
- 60-Day-ILJustin Steele (SP) — Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Steele (elbow) is close to being cleared to face hitters, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.08/19
- 60-Day-ILShelby Miller (RP) — Miller (elbow) began a rehab assignment Sunday at Triple-A Iowa, striking out two batters while allowing one run on two hits and no walks.08/09
- 60-Day-ILPorter Hodge (RP) — The Cubs transferred Hodge (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILCade Horton (SP) — The Cubs transferred Horton (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILTyler Austin (1B) — The Cubs placed Austin (knee) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.05/08
- Day-To-DayNewBryan Woo (SP) — Manager Dan Wilson said Friday that Woo (shoulder) will not start during Seattle's weekend series against the Cubs, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.08/21
- 10-Day-ILJ.P. Crawford (SS) — Crawford (wrist) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, Tim Booth of The Seattle Times reports.08/19
- 10-Day-ILColt Emerson (SS) — The Mariners placed Emerson on the 10-day injured list Friday with left wrist inflammation, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.08/14
- 15-Day-ILCole Wilcox (RP) — Wilcox left Thursday's game versus the Tigers due to left oblique tightness.08/07
- 60-Day-ILNewMatt Brash (RP) — Brash (lat) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.08/21
- 60-Day-ILLuke Raley (RF) — The Mariners transferred Raley (forearm) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.08/19
- 60-Day-ILCooper Criswell (RP) — Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said July 31 that Criswell (shoulder) has resumed a throwing progression, MLB.com reports.08/09
- 60-Day-ILWill Wilson (3B) — Wilson (thumb) has gone 3-for-9 with two RBI and a 1:2 BB:K in his first three rehab games between High-A Everett and Triple-A Tacoma.06/17
- 60-Day-ILLogan Evans (SP) — The Mariners placed Evans (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday.05/08
Both pens are stretched thin. Chicago is without Phil Maton, Ben Brown, Riley Martin and Hunter Harvey for the year or close to it, plus Gavin Hollowell still working back from shoulder trouble. Seattle's not much better off, missing Matt Brash, Cooper Criswell and Cole Wilcox, and it already ruled Bryan Woo out of this entire weekend set. Whoever needs length out of the pen first is going to be searching for outs.