Game Sixty-Seven – Cubs (27-39) vs. Phillies (29-37)
- Game Time – 12:35pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 185, 844
- Location – Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Travis Wood (6-5, 4.95/1.43/4.09) vs. A.J. Burnett (4-5, 4.24/1.44/4.36)
Happy Father’s Day!
The Cubs and Phillies wrap up the three-game series (1-1) and season series (2-3) this afternoon. Even with losing Saturday afternoon, the Cubs have a chance to post their first series win on the road since last September with a victory this afternoon behind Travis Wood. A win today would also give the Cubs their first series victory in Philadelphia since the Phillies played at Veterans Stadium in 2001.
The Cubs issues outside of Wrigley continued Saturday as the team dropped to 12-25 on the road this year. The Cubs have four games left on a stretch of games that has seen the team play 29 of 40 road games.
If Travis Wood struggles early, he might end up having to take one for the team. Carlos Villanueva and James Russell will not be available today after covering for Edwin Jackson again on Saturday. And Hector Rondon may or may not be available today. So, Rick Renteria’s eight-man bullpen could be reduced to five relievers.
A.J. Burnett has had the Cubs number over the years. The Cubs beat Burnett earlier this year at Wrigley. Look for a lineup full of lefties this afternoon. Right handers have managed a .229/.288/.301 slash line against Burnett this season while lefties have hit .286/.411/.405 against Burnett this season.
Today all starts with Travis Wood …
Travis Wood is coming off a solid start in Pittsburgh the Cubs only win during the four games in the Steel City. Wood was effective in limiting the Bucs to three runs on nine hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Wood still struggled with his command and the amount of hits he has given up over his last three starts are rather concerning. Wood is 1-0 in his last two starts with a 3.86 ERA and a very high 1.71 WHIP.
As has been the case with the Cubs all season, Travis Wood has struggled on the road. Wood is 3-4 in seven starts outside of Wrigley with a 7.34 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP. Teams are hitting .329 against Wood in their park compared to .196 off of him at Wrigley. Wood will face the Phillies for the second time this season.
Wood lost his first game against the Phillies in the home opener at Wrigley back on April 4. Wood gave up four runs, three earned, on six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. For his career, Travis Wood is 0-1 in four starts versus Philly with a 2.60 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP … at Citizens Bank, Wood has three no decisions in three starts with a 2.11 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP.
Phillies Career Numbers against Travis Wood
A.J. Burnett bounced back from a bad outing against the Nationals and a string of rough starts dating back to the end of April with a good game against the Padres. Burnett gave up two runs on three hits in 7 1/3 innings to San Diego. Burnett walked two batters and struck out three.
Burnett was 2-3 in six starts in May with a 5.50 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP and is 1-1 in his last two games with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. The Cubs could be catching Burnett at the right time.
The Cubs picked up a rare win against A.J. Burnett on April 6. The offense scored eight runs, four earned, on five hits with six walks and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Burnett owns a 7-3 career mark against the Cubs in 12 starts with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against A.J. Burnett
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …