The Cubs and White Sox bring the crosstown rivalry to Wrigley Field on Wednesday, August 19, with first pitch set for 2:20 PM ET. Clay Holmes gets the ball for Chicago against White Sox left-hander Sean Newcomb in what figures to be a pitching-forward afternoon on the North Side. With both clubs in the thick of their regular season schedules, there is no shortage of motivation on either side of town — bragging rights in a city that takes this rivalry seriously are always on the line.

Cubs vs. White Sox Pitching Matchup: Holmes vs. Newcomb

Holmes draws the start for the Cubs, taking the mound at Wrigley against a White Sox lineup that leans young and unproven at several spots. Newcomb counters for Chicago's South Side neighbors, a veteran left-hander who has bounced around the big leagues and knows how to keep hitters off-balance. Without full season-stat context available at this point, what we can say plainly is this: the Cubs lineup presents a legitimate challenge for any left-handed starter, and Newcomb will have his hands full from the jump.

Cubs Lineup and Keys to Watch

Manager Craig Counsell has constructed a lineup with real lineup depth from top to bottom. Pete Crow-Armstrong gets the leadoff spot at DH, with Seiya Suzuki slotted second in right field. Alex Bregman hits third at third base, followed by Michael Busch cleaning up at first. Nico Hoerner bats fifth at shortstop, with Pedro Ramírez at second, Carson Kelly behind the plate, Ian Happ in left, and Tyrone Taylor in center rounding out the nine.

• Suzuki vs. left-handed pitching: Newcomb is a southpaw, and Seiya Suzuki hitting second gives the Cubs a legitimate threat early in the order who has historically held his own against lefties.
• Bregman in the three-hole: Bregman's bat in the middle of the order is a load for any pitcher. Newcomb will need to be sharp or Bregman will make him pay.
• Holmes keeping the Sox quiet: The White Sox lineup features Munetaka Murakami batting second and Miguel Vargas third, both hitters capable of doing damage. Holmes will need command early to prevent crooked numbers.
• Crow-Armstrong setting the tone: PCA leading off — even in the DH slot — means speed and on-base ability at the top. If he gets on, this lineup can do real damage in a hurry.

White Sox Lineup to Watch

Chicago's South Siders send out a lineup built around some interesting pieces. Murakami at first base is the headliner, a power bat who commands respect in any count. Andrew Benintendi slides into the cleanup spot at DH, and Braden Montgomery bats fifth. Colson Montgomery at shortstop and Chase Meidroth at second give the Sox youth in the middle infield. Tristan Peters and Jake Rogers round out the bottom of the order.

Prediction

The Cubs have the lineup edge in this one, and Holmes on the mound at Wrigley is a reasonable bet to keep the Sox offense in check. Newcomb is a serviceable arm, but this Cubs lineup — with Bregman, Suzuki, and Busch all capable of going deep — should generate enough offense to pull through. Expect a competitive nine innings, but give the edge to the home side. Cubs 5, White Sox 2.

Catch the game on Marquee Sports Network or Chicago Sports Network on TV, with radio coverage on 104.3 The Score and ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM.