Game Eighty-Three: Cubs (45-37) vs. Cardinals (54-29)
- Game Time – 7:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 185, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Dallas Beeler (0-0, -.–/-.–/-.–) vs. Tim Cooney (0-0, 5.40/1.68/6.68)
Joe Maddon turns to rookie right hander Dallas Beeler in the nightcap as the Cubs look to sweep the day-night doubleheader from the Cardinals.
The Cubs’ bats woke-up on in game one behind Jake Arrieta. The Cubs pounded out 12 hits with eight walks and pulled away in the eighth after scoring four runs. Arrieta made the two-run single by Chris Denorfia in the third inning hold up until the Jorge Soler walked with the bases loaded in the sixth to force in a run.
The offense will have to keep it going tonight. Joe Maddon is running out pretty much the same lineup as in game one, except Taylor Teagarden is behind the plate and will make his Cubs’ debut catching Dallas Beeler and Addison Russell is back at second base.
The Cubs must make lefty Tim Cooney work and any early runs will help give Dallas Beeler a little confidence in just his third big league game.
Tonight all starts with Dallas Beeler …
The Cubs recalled RHP Dallas Beeler from Triple-A Iowa to make tonight’s start. Beeler was added to the Cubs roster as the 26th man that teams can now carry for a doubleheader. Beeler makes his third career start. Beeler took the loss in both of his games at the big league level a year ago. Beeler is 0-2 in the majors with a 3.27 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. Beeler gave up five runs, four earned, on 10 hits with seven walks and six strikeouts in 11 innings against the Reds and Nationals.
Dallas Beeler began this season on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation. Beeler missed Spring Training and the injury slid him down the Cubs depth chart. Beeler was sent on a rehab assignment in late April and was reassigned to Triple-A Iowa on May 18.
Beeler was 1-5 with a 6.33 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 13 starts for Iowa. Beeler surrendered 68 hits with 25 walks and 50 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings. Beeler made his last start on June 30 and was 0-1 in his last six starts with a 2.67 ERA and 1.15 WHIP (30 hits, five walks, 28 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings).
Dallas Beeler faces the Cardinals for the first time in his second start and appearance at Wrigley Field. And no one on the Cardinals active roster has faced Beeler in a regular season big league ballgame.
Tim Cooney makes the third start of his big league career tonight. Cooney received a no decision in his last outing against the Padres. Cooney gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts in six innings. Cooney has given up three home runs in 8 1/3 innings in the majors this year.
The 24-year old lefty put together a 6-4 record in 14 starts for Triple-A Iowa this season. Cooney has allowed 61 hits with 16 walks and 63 strikeouts in 88 2/3 innings (2.74 ERA, 0.87 WHIP).
Baseball America ranked Cooney as the seventh best prospect in the Cardinals’ system prior to the year. Cooney throws an 89-92 mph fastball with movement and an advanced, above-average changeup. Cooney also features a curve that sits in the 75-76 mph range. Cooney pounds the strike zone and some think he has a brighter future than Cardinals’ top prospect LHP Marco Gonzales.
There is not a player on Joe Maddon’s roster that has had an at-bat against Tim Cooney in a Major League game.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …