Game Ninety-Three – Cubs (40-52) vs. Braves (50-43)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 89, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Edwin Jackson (5-9, 5.05/1.52/3.84) vs. Mike Minor (2-5, 4.54/1.45/4.53)
Weather permitting … The Cubs will shoot for their third victory in a row this afternoon behind Edwin Jackson. The Cubs have played good ball the last two days after looking rather lost for the better part of the week. With the start Jake Arrieta turned in Friday, Rick Renteria has a full bullpen and a well-rested Carlos Villanueva if Jackson struggles early.
Arismendy Alcantara has made quite the impression in three short days and is supposed to get the start in centerfield this afternoon. The coaching staff worked him out in center before Friday’s game after he took infield practice for the first time at Wrigley Field. Darwin Barney is expected back at second base.
It will be interesting to see if Rick Renteria starts a balanced lineup or not behind Edwin Jackson this afternoon. Mike Minor has not had much success against right handers (.269/.322/.432) or lefties (.343/.390/.474) this season.
The Cubs have not won a game in which Mike Minor has started and Edwin Jackson has not beaten the Braves in his career, maybe the Cubs offense will support Jackson long enough to get into the bullpen.
Today all starts with Edwin Jackson …
Edwin Jackson is coming off yet another rough outing. Jackson at least completed six innings for the second straight start after allowing four runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Jackson’s unofficial first half has looked a lot like last season and it would be good to see him step up and put together a solid last 10 weeks of the year.
Today is Jackson’s ninth start of the season at Wrigley and he is 4-2 in the first eight with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. In 46 2/3 innings at home this year, Jackson has allowed 23 runs, 20 earned, on 48 hits with 20 walks and 47 strikeouts. Jackson faced the Braves in May and lost the game in Atlanta after he allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six innings.
Edwin Jackson has never beaten the Braves and is 0-3 in eight career appearances, six starts, with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.
Braves Career Numbers against Edwin Jackson
Mike Minor has faced the Mets in each of his last two starts and bounced back nicely after his outing in Atlanta and held the Metropolitans in check at Citi Field. The Mets roughed up Minor in Atlanta on July 1. Minor allowed four runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings. But Minor held the Mets to two runs on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts in seven innings in his last start.
After posting a 0-2 record in five June starts with a 5.90 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP, Mike Minor has two no decisions in his last two outings with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Minor makes his sixth career start against the Cubs this afternoon.
Mike Minor missed the Cubs in May, but he has owned them throughout his career. Minor is a perfect 5-0 in five starts against the Cubs with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. In 30 1/3 innings, the Cubs have managed only 14 runs, 12 earned, on 30 hits with four walks and 37 strikeouts. In two games at Wrigley, Minor is 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Mike Minor
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …