Lucas is 0-3 against Plymouth since May of 2016 but things could change on Thursday. The Cubs will be playing at home against the Big Red at 5:00 p.m. Lucas is coming into the game hot, having won their last five games.
Lucas is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They put the hurt on Mansfield Christian with a sharp 13-1 win on Tuesday. While the Cubs didn't have the best season last year (they finished 9-14), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.
Lucas got a massive performance out of Jaden Shaulis, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 2-for-2. That stolen base was Shaulis' first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Bobby Grover, who scored four runs and stole three bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
Lucas always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .581. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Plymouth was able to grind out a solid victory over Monroeville on Monday, taking the game 6-1.
Jarrett Burrer was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run while striking out 13 over seven innings pitched. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Plymouth is 3-1 when he allows at most three earned runs, but 1-2 otherwise. Burrer was also big at the plate, scoring a run while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
Burrer wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Hunter McClure, who scored a run while going 2-for-3. Bobby Bowman was another, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Lucas' win bumped their record up to 5-2. As for Plymouth, their victory ended a four-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 4-3.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Thursday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Lucas has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Plymouth struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Lucas suffered a grim 11-0 defeat to Plymouth in their previous meeting back in May of 2024. Can the Cubs avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
