Game Forty-One – Cubs (13-27) vs. Brewers (27-15)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Edwin Jackson (2-3, 4.56/1.44/3.43) vs. Matt Garza (2-3, 4.98/1.45/3.76)
The Cubs will shoot to put one in the win column this afternoon against a former teammate, Matt Garza. The Cubs are reeling and would like to win a ballgame. The losing appears to be getting to the players, which it should. The Cubs have won only two times in the last nine games and have dropped 11 of their last 12 games since winning three games in a row at the end of April (April 30-May 3)
The Cubs are 2-9 in one-run games this season and 3-17 in games decided by two runs or less this year. And will have to deal with Matt Garza again this afternoon.
Garza promised in Spring Training to kick the Cubs teeth in every time he gets a chance. Garza backed up his words last month at Miller Park and put together one of best starts of the season against his former mates. The Cubs allowed Garza to get comfortable on the mound. The game plan was to bunt and bunt often on Garza in order to rattle him and the players did not execute the plan. If the Cubs allow Garza to get into a groove again today, the team will lose another game to the Brewers.
Rick Renteria should load his lineup with lefties this afternoon. Right handers have hit .255/.283/.321 against Garza this season while lefties have managed a .282/.386/.376 slash line.
Today all starts with Edwin Jackson …
Edwin Jackson is coming off a decent outing in Atlanta and his second quality start in a row. After holding the White Sox to one run on six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings on May 6, Jackson surrendered three runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six innings to the Braves. Jackson struggled through the second inning before, in typical Edwin Jackson fashion, giving up the go ahead run in the next half inning after his teammates tied the game.
Edwin Jackson is 1-1 in four starts at Wrigley this season with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP and 1-3 in four day games with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Jackson faces the Brewers for the first time this season after posting a 1-4 record against the Brewers last year in five starts with a 4.71 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. For his career, Jackson is 4-6 in 12 starts versus Milwaukee with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
Brewers Career Numbers against Edwin Jackson
Matt Garza will get his second shot at the Cubs today. Garza has struggled for the most part in his first eight starts with the Brewers, except for his debut on April 2 and the start he made against the Cubs on April 25 at Miller Park. Garza lasted just three innings on April 30 in St. Louis after leaving with an injury to his hand. Garza then gave up three runs on eight hits in six innings to Arizona in an 8-3 victory over the D-Backs on May 5. Garza lasted just five innings his last time out. The Yankees scored three runs on six hits while Garza issued a season-high four walks and struck out four batters.
Matt Garza will be out to prove his point again today. It is up to the Cubs to make him uncomfortable and change the narrative.
Today is Garza’s second career start against the Cubs. Matt Garza is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP after allowing two runs on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in seven innings at Miller Park last month.
Cubs Career Numbers against Matt Garza
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …