Game One Hundred Forty-One: Cubs (60-80) vs. Brewers (60-80)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 183/844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jake Arrieta (2-1, 3.77/1.22/4.82) vs. Johnny Hellweg (0-3, 10.97/3.00/6.42)
Weather permitting … The Cubs will shoot for their third straight win at Wrigley Field this afternoon behind Jake Arrieta. The Cubs have not won three straight in their home park since the first week of July (July 6-7, July 9) and have posted three victories in a row only twice this year at Wrigley Field.
Look for Dale Sveum to load his lineup with left-handers this afternoon, and it might be a good time to give Logan Watkins a start due to his familiarity with Johnny Hellweg. While it is a very small sample size, right handers are hitting .192/.156/.290 against Hellweg in four big league games this year and lefties have managed a .538/.486/.667 slash line.
Dale Sveum’s team is 4-3 on the current homestand with two games remaining and this afternoon it all starts with Jake Arrieta …
Jake Arrieta is coming off a very good outing against the Phillies. Arrieta limited Philly to one run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings. Arrieta walked three and struck out four batters. Arrieta bounced back nicely from his rough outing at Dodger Stadium.
The Cubs have seen both sides of Jake Arrieta in the five starts he’s made. Arrieta has excellent stuff, but when he struggles with his command, it can be very tough to watch.
Despite his inconsistencies, Arrieta has been very good in four starts at Wrigley Field this season. Arrieta is 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. In 23 2/3 innings at Wrigley, Arrieta has given up 12 hits with t12 walks and 18 strikeouts. If Chris Bosio is able to straighten out Arrieta, the Cubs could have a top of the rotation starter to go with Jeff Samardzija for next season.
Jake Arrieta made his Cubs’ debut against the Brewers in the second game of the twin bill at Wrigley on July 30. Arrieta held Milwaukee to one run on two hits with three walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Arrieta makes his second career start versus Milwaukee this afternoon.
Brewers Career Numbers against Jake Arrieta
- Yuniesky Betancourt – 0-for-4
- Jeff Bianchi – 0-for-3
- Khris Davis – 0-for-3
- Carlos Gomez – 0-for-1 with two walks
- Jonathan Lucroy – 0-for-3
- Logan Schafer – 1-for-2 with a double and a walk
- Juan Francisco – 1-for-2 with a home run
- Scooter Gennett – 0-for-2
Johnny Hellweg makes his first appearance against the Cubs this afternoon. And while he faces the big league team for the first time, several players on the Cubs’ roster should be familiar with Hellweg from his time in the Pacific Coast League this season. Hellweg was 12-5 for Triple-A Nashville with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in 23 starts (89 strikeouts, 81 walks and 103 hits surrendered in 125 2/3 innings).
Logan Watkins, Darnell McDonald, Donnie Murphy, Brian Bogusevic and J.C. Boscan faced Hellweg multiple times this year over the three starts he made against the I-Cubs.
Johnny Hellweg has not started a big league game since he lasted just 4 1/3 innings against the Reds on July 10. Hellweg was recalled when rosters expanded and his last start, and win, came against the Iowa Cubs on August 30.
The Cubs must make Hellweg work. He has trouble throwing strikes. In 10 2/3 innings this season in the majors, Hellweg has walked 10 more batters (13) than he has struck out (3). Hellweg is making his fourth big league start this afternoon.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …