Game Fifty-Seven: Cubs (30-26) vs. Tigers (31-28)
- Game Time – 6:08pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 177, 844
- Location – Comerica Park, Detroit
Jake Arrieta (5-4, 3.04/1.09/2.78) vs. Shane Greene (4-5, 5.40/1.33/4.47)
Joe Maddon gives the ball to Jake Arrieta tonight in the finale of the road trip and two-game series in Detroit. Even with as poorly as the Cubs played Tuesday, a win tonight behind Jake Arrieta would give the Cubs a 5-4 record on a nine-game, three city road trip through Miami, Washington DC and Detroit. And anytime a team can win more on the road than they lose should be viewed as a positive.
The Cubs offense was stuck in neutral Tuesday and will face a challenge tonight in Shane Greene. The talented right hander has struggled, but like Anibal Sanchez, anything positive early will be a huge boost to his confidence.
Unless players start stepping up and supporting Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, there will be more games ahead for the Cubs like Tuesday and less like Sunday in DC. And with unfavorable pitching matchups with the Reds waiting for the Cubs at Wrigley Field, an offense in need of his own confidence boost has a chance to build a little momentum in Motown with Shane Greene on the hill.
Tonight all starts with Jake Arrieta …
Jake Arrieta bounced back from a rough outing against the Royals with a solid six-inning start and a win in DC. Arrieta gave up one run on six hits without a walk while striking out eight Nationals. Arrieta has not been as consistent as many expected this season but he’s gotten the job done on the road.
In five starts outside of Wrigley Field this year, Arrieta is 3-1 with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Arrieta has allowed 15 runs, 11 earned, on 30 hits with six walks and 35 strikeouts.
Jake Arrieta makes his fourth career start versus the Tigers tonight. Arrieta is 1-1 in the first three with a 3.71 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP.
Arrieta has not faced Detroit since 2013 in what was his last start in an Orioles’ jersey. Arrieta gave up five runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings at Comerica Park on June 17, 2013. Arrieta was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk the next day (June 18) and traded to the Cubs along with RHP Pedro Strop on July 2 for RHP Scott Feldman and C Steve Clevenger.
Tigers Career Numbers against Jake Arrieta
- Rajai Davis: 3-for-10
- Miguel Cabrera: 3-for-9 with one home run
- Ian Kinsler: 1-for-9 with one home run
- Yoenis Cespedes: 0-for-4
- Anthony Gose: 0-for-4
The Cubs get their first look at right-hander Shane Greene tonight. After a tremendous start to the season, Greene has really struggled and is coming off a rough start against Oakland. Greene gave up six runs, four earned, on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
Greene was 1-3 in six starts in May with a 5.83 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. And at Comerica Park this year, Greene is 2-2 in six starts with a 3.82 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.
If the Cubs allow him to gain confidence early, Greene has the stuff to shut a Major League team down, just ask the Twins, Pirates, White Sox and Royals. Greene limited three of the four first place teams to one run or less in starts against them this season.
David Ross (0-for-1 with a walk) and Jonathan Herrera (no official at bat, one walk) are the only two players on the Cubs active roster that have faced Shane Greene in a regular season game.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …