Game Seventeen: Cubs (5-11) vs. Brewers (8-8)
- Game Time – 1:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 186/844
- Location – Miller Park, Milwaukee
Scott Feldman (0-2, 6.00/2.11) vs. Wily Peralta (0-1, 6.19/1.69)
In order to salvage the third and final game of the series, the Cubs are going to have to play better baseball. As Dale Sveum said following Saturday’s embarrassing loss, the Cubs are making mistakes that rookie level players make and the team as a whole has to step up. The Cubs were charged with three more errors on Saturday night and are tied with the Nationals for the league lead (15) going into play this afternoon … couple that with the second worst bullpen ERA in baseball and it is easy to see why the Cubs start the day a season-low six games under .500.
The Cubs have to figure out a way to beat Milwaukee, especially at Miller Park. The Cubs are 5-11 in their last 16 games against the Brewers and have dropped 17 of the last 19 at Miller Park. While they have won six in a row, the Brewers are not one of the elite teams in the National League, especially on the days that Yovani Gallardo is not on the mound and with Aramis Ramirez and Corey Hart on the DL.
Dale Sveum said Saturday night that somebody’s got to start making plays and that someone has to step up. Scott Feldman has not pitched to the front office’s expectations in a Cubs’ uniform, either in the spring or in his first two starts. Feldman has not posted a win since August 4 of last year and his teams are 1-11 in those 12 starts.
The Cubs need a good, quality start out of Scott Feldman this afternoon.
Scott Feldman has struggled for quite a while on the mound, now he is dealing with tightness in his back. The Cubs pushed Feldman’s third start back a few days in order to give him extra time. There are unconfirmed reports that Feldman is also having issues with his shoulder, and if that is the case, he could be on a short rope this afternoon.
Feldman last pitched on April 11 against the Giants, and he had a rough outing. The offense gave Feldman a lead, but he could not hold it due to poor defense and two mental mistakes of his own. Feldman lasted just 4 1/3 innings while giving up six runs, two earned, on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Feldman has yet to complete five innings in either of his first two starts … so Feldman making it through five innings would be the first step in the right direction.
Scott Feldman must limit his free passes this afternoon as well. Feldman is beating himself … seven walks with four strikeouts and 12 hits in nine innings pitched.
Scott Feldman makes his second career start against the Brewers today. Feldman pitched six innings of shutout ball in Milwaukee on June 12, 2010 while giving up four hits, three walks and six strikeouts.
Brewers Career Numbers against Scott Feldman
- Yuniesky Betancourt – 5-for-16 with two doubles
- Ryan Braun – 1-for-3 with a double
- Carlos Gomez – 1-for-7
- Alex Gonzalez – 2-for-8 with a walk
- Jonathan Lucroy – 1-for-2
- Rickie Weeks – 1-for-2 with a double
The top pitching prospect in the Brewers’ system is off to a rough start. Wily Peralta has struggled in two of his first three starts, the only good outing came against the Cubs on a very cold night at Wrigley Field. The Giants knocked Peralta out of the game after just four innings in his last outing. Peralta allowed six runs, five earned, on seven hits while walking three and striking out one. The Cubs must make him work this afternoon to avoid the sweep. Peralta is one of many Brewers’ starters with average stuff that the Cubs make look like a Cy Young contender.
Wily Peralta makes his second career start against the Cubs this afternoon. Peralta allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings back on April 9 at Wrigley Field.
Welington Castillo (1-for-3), Starlin Castro (1-for-4), David DeJesus (2-for-4 with a double), Scott Hairston (0-for-1), Dioner Navarro (0-for-2), Anthony Rizzo (0-for-1 with two walks), Nate Schierholtz (0-for-3), Alfonso Soriano (0-for-3) and Luis Valbuena (1-for-3) had at bats against Wily Peralta at Wrigley on April 9.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …