Game Thirty-Five: Cubs (19-15) vs. Pirates (17-18)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 4.65/1.29/3.98) vs. Jeff Locke (2-2, 4.71/1.35/3.77)
Joe Maddon turns to Kyle Hendricks this afternoon as the Cubs look to extend their winning streak in the first of three with the Pirates. The Cubs have a chance at posting a very good homestand after taking the four games from the Mets.
The Cubs are 4-3 in the first seven games with the Pirates this season. And the Cubs have outscored the Pirates by a total of three runs over those seven games. After Sunday, the Cubs and Pirates will not square off again until early August in Pittsburgh (Aug. 3-5). The Cubs have a chance over the next three days to show the Pirates they are not going away and will be a factor in the NL Central this season. The Cubs are 12-12 in the division this year.
Following today’s matchup of Kyle Hendricks and Jeff Locke, game two will feature both teams’ No. 1 starters in Jon Lester and Gerrit Cole. The series wraps Sunday with Jake Arrieta taking on A.J. Burnett.
The Cubs are 3-3 in games started by lefties and 16-12 against right handers.
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks looks to build on his last outing today against the Pirates. Hendricks is coming off best start of the season. Hendricks kept the Brewers off the board for 5 1/3 innings. Hendricks surrendered five hits and walked two batters with three strikeouts.
Hendricks has not pitched to expectations this year but he’s been better at Wrigley than on the road. Hendricks is 0-1 in two starts with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. And the loss came against the Pirates on April 29.
Hendricks makes his third start of the season against the Pirates today. Hendricks is 0-1 in the first two with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. In 10 1/3 innings, Hendricks has allowed five runs, all earned, on 10 hits with three walks and eight strikeouts.
Pirates Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Gregory Polanco: 3-for-6 with one double
- Pedro Alvarez: 0-for-5
- Jordy Mercer: 1-for-5
- Neil Walker: 1-for-4
- Chris Stewart: 0-for-4
- Josh Harrison: 1-for-3 with one double
- Jung Ho Kang: 1-for-2 with one walk
- Starling Marte: 0-for-1 with two walks
- Andrew McCutchen: 0-for-3
- Sean Rodriguez: 1-for-2 with one home run
- Jeff Locke: 0-for-1
The Cubs get their third look of the season at lefty Jeff Locke. Locke is coming off a solid outing against the Cardinals. Locke received a no decision after allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout in 6 2/3 innings.
Locke is 0-1 in his last two starts with a 4.61 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. And on the road this year, Locke is 1-1 in two starts with a 6.52 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP. Teams are hitting 109 points higher against Locke on the road (.349) compared to PNC Park (.240).
Today’s word for Jeff Locke is adjustments, as in will the Cubs make the adjustments to Locke that he has to apply today? Locke is 0-1 in two starts against the Cubs this season with a 9.35 ERA and a 2.42 WHIP. Locke has allowed 10 runs, nine earned, on 15 hits with six walks and 12 strikeouts in 8 2/3 versus the Cubs.
For his career, Jeff Locke is 1-2 in seven starts against the Cubs with a 5.11 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP … at Wrigley Field, 0-1 in three starts with a 7.24 ERA and a 1.98 WHIP.
The Cubs must make him work this afternoon like they did in the previous two times they faced him his year.
Cubs Career Numbers against Jeff Locke
- Anthony Rizzo: 4-for-15 with one home run and three walks
- Starlin Castro: 4-for-15
- Welington Castillo: 2-for-8 with three walks
- Miguel Montero: 1-for-7
- Kris Bryant: 1-for-5 with one walk
- Dexter Fowler: 3-for-5 with one walk
- Jorge Soler: 0-for-3 with three walks
- Addison Russell: 2-for-4 with two doubles
- Kyle Hendricks: 0-for-2
- Jonathan Herrera: 1-for-2 with one triple
- Matt Szczur: 1-for-2 with one double
- Travis Wood: 0-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …