Game Eighty-Two – Cubs (35-46) vs. Red Sox (38-45)
- Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 179, 844
- Location – Fenway Park, Boston
Edwin Jackson (5-8, 5.22/1.52/3.92) vs. Clay Buchholz (3-4, 6.75/1.85/5.25)
The Cubs will shoot for two wins in a row at Fenway Park tonight behind Edwin Jackson. Jake Arrieta and the Cubs pen were able to shut down the Sox offense last night, but the Red Sox figure to be well-rested for tonight’s game against the Cubs.
Edwin Jackson has really struggled over the last six weeks. The Cubs could use a long, efficient outing from Jackson, and not because the bullpen could use a break. Jackson hasn’t been able to get out of his own way and seemingly every time the Cubs have a good game and appear to be going in the right direction, Jackson’s spot in the rotation comes back around.
Clay Buchholz has struggled against lefties and righties this season, so it will be interesting to see the lineup Rick Renteria runs out. Over the course of his career, lefties have hit slightly better (.253/.330/.345) than right handers (.250/.316/.337) against Clay Buchholz. The Cubs offense has scored a grand total of four runs over the last three games but they might be able to build some confidence against the struggling Buchholz.
Tonight it all starts with Edwin Jackson …
Edwin Jackson is coming off another rough outing. Jackson failed to complete six innings for the third straight start and he’s not completed seven innings since May 17. Jackson has not had a good game since rumors surfaced that he could be traded if he kept pitching the way he was. The Reds scored four runs on six hits against Jackson in 5 1/3 innings and he issued four walks while striking out only two batters.
Edwin Jackson is 2-3 in his last five starts with a 6.23 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP and will face a team on the road tonight he’s had very little success against in his career.
For as much as Edwin Jackson has struggled this year, it’s been a little worse on the road. In eight starts outside of Wrigley Field, Jackson is 1-6 with a 6.70 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. Jackson has given up 49 hits and 19 walks with 38 strikeouts in 43 innings.
Edwin Jackson makes his 11th career start against the Red Sox tonight. Jackson is 2-4 in 13 games, 10 starts, versus Boston in his career with a 5.49 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP … at Fenway Park, Jackson is 0-4 in seven games, six starts, with a 7.36 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP.
Red Sox Career Numbers against Edwin Jackson
Clay Buchholz spent about a month on the DL with a hyperextended left knee after being rocked in a short outing in Atlanta on May 26. Buchholz gave up six runs on four hits with eight walks and four strikeouts in three innings. Buchholtz was placed on the 15-day DL two days later.
Boston activated Buchholz on June 25 and he gave up four runs on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings in Seattle. The Mariners hit three homers off Buchholz but he still picked up the win.
It has been a rough season to this point for Clay Buchholz. He is 1-2 in four starts at Fenway Park this year with an 8.66 ERA and a 2.15 WHIP and he faces the Cubs for the first time tonight.
Ryan Sweeney (2-for-6 with two doubles), Luis Valbuena (1-for-5 with a home run) and Chris Coghlan (0-for-3) are the only three players on the Cubs active roster that has faced Clay Buchholz in a regular season big league ballgame.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …