Game Ninety-Eight: Cubs (51-46) vs. Rockies (42-54)
- Game Time – 7:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Kyle Hendricks (4-5, 3.66/1.13/3.23) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (6-4, 4.62/1.41/4.45)
The Cubs turn to Kyle Hendricks tonight to end the skid in the first of three with the Rockies. The Cubs wrap up the homestand with three games versus another team with a below .500 record. The Cubs have really struggled coming out of the break against teams they are supposed to beat. And if Joe Maddon’s team is not careful and just relaxes and play baseball, the Rockies could pick-up where the Phillies left off. The Rockies can put runs on the board while that has been an issue for the Cubs over the last two months.
The Cubs won two of three from the Rockies in Denver back in April. The Cubs first road trip of the year started in Colorado and Dexter Fowler’s big homer gave them their first series victory of the season.
The Cubs will see Jorge De La Rosa tonight and the lefty has been just about as good as it gets on the road. With De La Rosa on the hill, it will be interesting to see if Joe Maddon has Kyle Schwarber in his lineup or not. Schwarber has not started against a lefty yet.
After tonight’s match-up of Kyle Hendricks and Jorge De La Rosa, Tuesday features a game of TBD’s as of this writing. The Cubs and Rockies have not announced Tuesday’s starters. As the roster is currently constructed, the Cubs will likely call-up RHP Dallas Beeler for Tuesday night. Jon Lester and Eddie Butler are slated for the series and season series finale on Wednesday afternoon.
The Cubs could really use a clean start from Hendricks and a couple of runs early, along with a lead, could go a long way for a team that is in need of a win.
Tonight all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks is coming off a rough outing against the Reds. Hendricks gave up four runs in the first inning and never had a chance to get his feet under him or give his team a shot at winning the game. Hendricks posted three quality starts in his four games leading up to Cincinnati. Hendricks was touched up for five runs on seven hits with two walks and nine strikeouts in six innings in a 9-1 loss to the Reds.
Hendricks is 1-1 in his last four starts with a 2.08 ERA and 0.96 WHIP … and at Wrigley this year, 1-2 in eight starts with a 2.81 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.
Kyle Hendricks faces the Rockies for the second time this year. Hendricks was on the mound for the series finale in Denver for his first game of the season. Hendricks received little support from his defense and received a no decision thanks to Dexter Fowler. Hendricks allowed five runs on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Hendricks will have to pitch much better tonight than he did nearly four months ago.
Over two career starts against the Rockies, Kyle Hendricks is 1-0 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
Rockies Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Nolan Arenado: 1-for-7
- Charlie Blackmon: 3-for-6 with one walk
- Carlos Gonzalez: 1-for-5 with one double and one walk
- Corey Dickerson: 2-for-5
- D.J. LeMahieu: 1-for-5 with one triple
- Wilin Rosario: 1-for-3 with one double
- Daniel Descalso: 1-for-2
- Yohan Flande: 0-for-1
- Michael McKenry: 1-for-2
- Nick Hundley: 0-for-1
- Drew Stubbs: 0-for-1
Jorge De La Rosa had a tough time with the Rangers in his last start. De La Rosa was touched up for six runs on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in six innings. Since a very good outing against the A’s on June 30, De La Rosa has been inconsistent at best. The lefty is 1-1 in his previous four starts with a 4.70 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
De La Rosa has been just about untouchable outside of Coors Field this season. In six road starts, De La Rosa is 4-2 with a 1.93 ERA and 1.10 WHIP.
Jorge De La Rosa has had a lot of success against the Cubs over the course of his career. De La Rosa is 4-0 in 10 games, six starts, with a 2.32 ERA and 1.34 WHIP … and at Wrigley Field, 2-0 in six appearances, two starts, with a 1.86 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Jorge De La Rosa
- Chris Denorfia: 6-for-24 with two doubles, one triple and four walks
- Starlin Castro: 3-for-16 with one home run
- Chris Coghlan: 1-for-7 with two walks
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-7 with one walk
- David Ross: 0-for-4 with four walks
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …