Game Fifty-Three: Cubs (28-24) vs. Nationals (29-25)
- Game Time – 6:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Nationals Park, Washington DC
Tsuyoshi Wada (0-0, 2.30/0.96/3.30) vs. Tanner Roark (1-2, 2.59/1.21/5.35)
The Cubs turn to Tsuyoshi Wada tonight in search of the second straight win over the Nationals. Thursday’s opener went the Cubs way and it figures to take several more runs tonight than the two the Cubs put on the board in the first inning against Gio Gonzalez.
The offense is simply not producing right now but should receive a little boost with the return of a fully rested Miguel Montero. Joe Maddon said Thursday that Montero will start the last three games of the series, even with the early start time on Saturday (11:05am CDT). David Ross has been in the starting lineup the last three games due to a pair of lefty starters and Jon Lester on the mound Wednesday night in Miami.
This is actually a rematch from Memorial Day at Wrigley. Tanner Roark edged Tsuyoshi Wada in his first start of the season. And Maddon should run out a balanced lineup with right handers (.262/.279/.449) having more success than lefties (.250/.339/.339) against Roark this season..
Tonight all starts with Tsuyoshi Wada …
Tsuyoshi Wada has kept the Cubs in each of his three starts in the majors this season. And the Cubs are 2-1 when he takes the hill. Wada had a good outing last Sunday at Wrigley against the Royals. Wada completed a season-high 5 2/3 innings and limited Kansas City to one run on two hits. Wada has thrown a lot of strikes and was less predictable in his previous two outings.
Tsuyoshi Wada has allowed 10 hits with five walks and 19 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings.
Wada faces the Nationals for the second time in three starts tonight. Wada gave up one run on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings back on May 25. Denard Span took Wada deep to start the game but he settled down and did not allow another run.
Tsuyoshi Wada makes his second career start versus Washington in just his 16th outing in the big leagues.
Nationals Career Numbers against Tsuyoshi Wada
- Yunel Escobar: 1-for-5
- Ian Desmond: 1-for-3
- Bryce Harper: 1-for-3 with one double
- Denard Span: 1-for-2 with one home run and one walk
- Danny Espinosa: 0-for-1 with one walk
- Wilson Ramos: 0-for-2
- Tanner Roark: 1-for-2
- Michael Taylor: 0-for-2
- Ryan Zimmerman: 0-for-1 with one walk
Tanner Roark makes his third start of the season tonight. Roark held the Cubs to one run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts in five innings his first start on May 25. His last time out in Cincinnati, Roark received a no-decision after allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and a strikeout in six innings.
As a starting pitcher this season, Roark is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. And in six appearances at Nationals Park this year, Roark has not allowed a run while giving up six hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
Tanner Roark is 2-2 in four career appearances, three starts, against the Cubs with a 5.03 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Tanner Roark
- Chris Coghlan: 5-for-11 with one double and one walk
- Starlin Castro: 0-for-9
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-9
- Dexter Fowler: 1-for-5
- Mike Baxter: 1-for-3
- Miguel Montero: 0-for-3
- Kris Bryant: 2-for-2 with one home run
- David Ross: 0-for-2
- Addison Russell: 0-for-2
- Tsuyoshi Wada: 0-for-2
- Junior Lake: 0-for-1
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …