Game Five: Cubs (2-2) vs. Rockies (4-1)
- Game Time – 3:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV Ch. 9 – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 187, 844
- Location – Coors Field, Denver
Kyle Hendricks (0-0, -.–/-.–/-.–) vs. Jordan Lyles (1-0, 3.00/1.00/1.20)
The Cubs wrap up the weekend series in Denver this afternoon behind Kyle Hendricks. The Cubs will shoot to leave Colorado with a two-game winning streak and a game above .500 for the first time this year.
Joe Maddon’s offense clicked Saturday. It will be interesting to see how much of the same lineup he runs out today against Jordan Lyles. Joe Maddon should use a balanced batting order again. Right-handers have hit .271/.317/.431 against Lyles over his career while lefties have put together a .284/.361/.459 slash line.
Dexter Fowler should face the pitcher he was traded for today. The Rockies shipped Fowler to Houston for Brandon Barnes and Jordan Lyles two winters ago.
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks’ quest to prove that last season was not a fluke starts this afternoon in Colorado. Many in the game do not think Kyle Hendricks can approach what he did a year ago simply because he doesn’t have the stuff in some experts’ eyes to be a successful big league pitcher. Hendricks was very impressive in the majors last season. In 13 starts, Hendricks posted a 7-2 record with a 2.46 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and a 3.32 FIP. Hendricks gave up 72 hits with 15 walks and 47 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings.
Outside of Wrigley Field last season, Hendricks was 3-1 in six starts with a 2.95 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. And one of those wins came at Coors Field.
Kyle Hendricks limited the Rockies to two runs, one earned, on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts over eight innings on Aug. 7. Hendricks followed his gem at Dodger Stadium with an equally impressive outing in Denver’s thin air.
Rockies Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Nolan Arenado: 1-for-4
- Charlie Blackmon: 1-for-4
- Justin Morneau: 1-for-4 with one double
- Corey Dickerson: 1-for-3
- Carlos Gonzalez: 0-for-2 with one walk
- D.J. LeMahieu: 0-for-3
- Wilin Rosario: 1-for-3 with one double
- Nick Hundley: 0-for-1
- Drew Stubbs: 0-for-1
Jordan Lyles didn’t pitch to expectations in Houston. After three years the Astros gave up on Lyles and shipped him to Colorado. Lyles put together a solid first season with the Rockies. In 22 starts, Lyles posted a 7-4 record with a 4.33 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP and a 4.22 FIP. And at Coors Field, Lyles was 5-1 in 10 starts with a 4.81 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.
Jordan Lyles picked up the win in Milwaukee in his first start of the year. Lyles gave up two runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts in six innings.
The Cubs were the team Lyles faced in his big league debut on May 31, 2011. Lyles was charged with two runs on five hits in seven innings. In five career starts against the Cubs, Lyles is 2-1 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Jordan Lyles
- Miguel Montero: 7-for-14 with two doubles and one walk
- Starlin Castro: 2-for-13 with one triple and one walk
- Anthony Rizzo: 2-for-6 with one double
- Dexter Fowler: 2-for-3 with one home run and four walks
- Welington Castillo: 0-for-5
- Arismendy Alcantara: 1-for-3 with one home run
- Chris Coghlan: 3-for-3 with one double and one triple
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …