Game Seventy-One: Cubs (39-31) vs. Dodgers (40-33)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: ABC-7, MLB Network – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jon Lester (4-5, 3.80/1.34/3.58) vs. Carlos Frias (4-5, 4.68/1.48/4.11)
Weather permitting … The Cubs and Dodgers wrap up the four-game series. And the Cubs will look to close the homestand with a series win against the first place Dodgers.
The Cubs posted victories in the first two games, ones started by Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. The offense was not able to figure out Mike Bolsinger and will face the same challenges today with Carlos Frias on the mound. With three games against the Cardinals on tap for the weekend, it is really a must to beat LA today and have a happy flight to St. Louis.
The Cubs are dealing with pitching issues and could really use for Jon Lester to go at least seven innings today, if not eight. With Saturday a huge question mark, the longer Joe Maddon can stay out of his pen the next two days the more options he will have throughout the weekend in St. Louis.
Lefties have pounded Carlos Frias this season (.355/.412/.421) while right handers (.256/.307/.309) have not had the same level of success. But without a heathy Dexter Fowler, Maddon’s options are going to be limited.
This afternoon all starts with Jon Lester …
Jon Lester has pitched much better his last two times out. Lester limited the Reds to one run on five hits in seven innings on Sunday Night Baseball and held the Twins to a Kurt Suzuki home run over 6 1/3 innings in his last start.
Lester is 0-2 in his last four starts (Cubs 2-2) with a 5.16 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Lester has given up 13 runs on 26 hits with six walks and 20 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.
At Wrigley Field this year, Lester is 3-3 in eight starts with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. And Lester makes just the second start of his career against the Dodgers today.
Jon Lester beat the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Aug. 24, 2013. Lester gave up one run on three hits with four walks and six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
Dodgers Career Numbers against Jon Lester
- Howie Kendrick: 6-for-32 with three doubles and one walk
- Alberto Callaspo: 3-for-16 with two doubles and two walks
- Jimmy Rollins: 1-for-11 with one walk
- A.J. Ellis: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Andre Ethier: 1-for-3
- Adrian Gonzalez: 0-for-3
- Yasmani Grandal: 1-for-3 with one double
- Yasiel Puig: 1-for-2 with one walk
Carlos Frias has struggled in each of his last two outings and he makes his first career start against the Cubs this afternoon. After giving up four runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings in Texas, Frias surrendered six runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts to the Giants in 5 1/3 innings.
In his last four starts, Frias is 0-3 with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. But on the road, Carlos Frias has been really good. Frias is 2-2 in five games, four starts, with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.
Carlos Frias has faced the Cubs twice, both times in relief. In 3 1/3 innings, Frias has allowed three runs on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts (8.10 ERA, 1.50 WHIP).
Anthony Rizzo (0-for-1 with a walk), Chris Coghlan (0-for-1), Miguel Montero (0-for-1) and Matt Szczur (0-for-1) are the only players on Joe Maddon’s roster with limited at bats against Carlos Frias.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …