Game One Hundred Nineteen: Cubs (52-66) vs. Reds (66-52)
- Game Time – 7:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 185/844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jeff Samardzija (6-11, 4.23/1.35) vs. Homer Bailey (7-10, 3.73/1.16)
The Cubs will try to snap their two-game losing skid tonight behind Jeff Samardzija. Not only will the Cubs have the tall task of beating the Reds in their new home park, but they will also try to just put a run on the old scoreboard in centerfield.
The Cubs have not scored a run a Wrigley in the last three games. And it has been 32 innings since they scored a run in their home park. Runs figure to be at a premium once against tonight with Homer Bailey on the hill. The Cubs must figure out a way to start beating the Reds at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are 1-13 in the last 14 games against the Reds in their own park.
A win tonight would keep the Cubs from hitting a season-low 15 games under .500 and would go a long way towards the team just playing better ball at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs will honor Ernie Banks prior to tonight’s game against the Reds. Banks received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama. The Medal of Freedom is the highest honor awarded to civilians in the United States. Former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer, Billy Williams will introduce Mr. Banks.
Tonight all starts with Jeff Samardzija … and scoring a few runs.
Jeff Samardzija is in a rut and not only needs to put his recent outings behind him tonight, he needs to forget about what may, or may not, be going on with his contract and just pitch. Both the team and Samardzija could really use to see the number one pitcher on the Cubs’ staff pitch like one tonight.
Jeff Samardzija is coming off one of his worst starts in the big leagues. Samardzija lasted just 3 1/3 innings and allowed nine runs on a season-high 11 hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Samardzija had zero fastball command and the Phillies pounded him. Samardzija is 0-2 in his last two starts with a 11.57 ERA and a 2.46 WHIP and over those two starts the Phillies and Dodgers have hit an even .400.
Samardzija said after his last game that he would get back on track the next time out.
Jeff Samardzija is 2-5 in 12 starts at Wrigley this season with a 4.86 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. And it will help him that today is actually a night game. Samardzija is 4-4 in 12 night starts this season with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP … and during the day, 2-7 in 12 starts with a 4.81 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP.
Jeff Samardzija makes his fourth start of the season against the Reds tonight. Samardzija is 0-1 in the first three with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP (21 hits, 10 walks and 19 strikeouts in 18 innings).
Reds Numbers against Jeff Samardzija in 2013
- Jay Bruce – 3-for-10 with a double
- Shin-Soo Choo – 3-for-7 with a home run and three walks
- Zack Cozart – 4-for-9 with a walk
- Todd Frazier – 2-for-7 with a home run and two walks
- Devin Mesoraco – 2-for-6
- Xavier Paul – 1-for-5 with a double
- Brandon Phillips – 1-for-10
- Joey Votto – 3-for-9 with a double and a walk
- Ryan Ludwick (career) – 1-for-4 with a walk
Even with two no-hitters under his belt, Homer Bailey remains one of the most inconsistent pitchers in the big leagues. Bailey will dominate for an outing or two then fail to post a quality start for a game or two. Since his no hitter against the Giants on July second, Bailey is 2-4 and has allowed four runs, four runs, three runs, two runs, no runs and five runs in those six starts. Bailey has the stuff to be dominant and usually keeps the Cubs in check.
Homer Bailey is 3-8 in 12 road starts this season with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP … and since the break, Bailey is 2-2 in four starts with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
Bailey makes his third start of the season against the Cubs tonight. Bailey is a perfect 2-0 in the first two with a 1.29 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Homer Bailey
- Darwin Barney – 7-for-22 with a walk
- Welington Castillo – 1-for-5 with a double and a walk
- Starlin Castro – 5-for-24 with two home runs and two walks
- David DeJesus – 3-for-19 with a walk
- Dioner Navarro – 0-for-3
- Cody Ransom – 1-for-8 with a home run
- Anthony Rizzo – 3-for-9 with a double and four walks
- Nate Schierholtz – 6-for-12 with two doubles
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …