Game One Hundred Twenty: Cubs (68-51) vs. Braves (53-68)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 3.97/1.21/3.52) vs. Shelby Miller (5-9, 2.43/1.16/3.21)
The Cubs look to make it two wins in a row over the Braves today behind Kyle Hendricks. The offense has been putting the runs on the board of late but will face Shelby Miller this afternoon.
Kyle Hendricks looks to bounce back from his rough start against the Sox. Hendricks said he corrected the mechanical issues that have been off all season. The Cubs need a good outing from Hendricks today but if he struggles early look for Maddon to go to his pen. Travis Wood should be the only reliever unavailable today.
Runs figure to be at a premium with Shelby Miller on the mound. The Cubs must take advantage of every scoring opportunity and make Miller work. Long at bats, running up Miller’s pitch count and getting him out of the game will be key for the Cubs this afternoon.
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks was really unhappy with his performance against White Sox. Hendricks has repeated this season that he did not feel right on the mound. Hendricks would put together a good start or two but he knew something wasn’t quite right. Hendricks and Chris Bosio went back and viewed tape from his starts at the Double-A level, and found what Hendricks said was obvious issues with his mechanics. Hendricks was excited to work on the changes throughout the week and have a chance to apply the adjustments today.
Hendricks had a really rough outing against the White Sox and allowed five runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Hendricks received a no decision in a 6-5 Cubs win due to three home runs … two by Chris Coghlan and Anthony Rizzo delivered the go ahead blast.
It has been a struggle for Hendricks since the break. Hendricks is 2-1 in six starts with a 5.29 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.
At Wrigley this year, Hendricks is 2-2 in 10 starts with a 3.39 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Hendricks has allowed 22 runs on 50 hits with 13 walks and 54 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings.
Kyle Hendricks makes his second start of the season against the Braves today. Hendricks received a no-decision in the first game back from the break in a 4-2 loss. Hendricks allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Pedro Strop took the loss after the Braves scored two in the eighth.
Kyle Hendricks faces the Braves for the second time his career today.
Braves Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Nick Markakis: 1-for-5
- A.J. Pierzynski: 1-for-4 with one double
- Cameron Maybin: 1-for-2 with one walk
- Shelby Miller: 0-for-2
- Jace Peterson: 1-for-3 with one double
- Andrelton Simmons: 0-for-2
- Jonny Gomes: 0-for-1
The Cubs will see a very familiar face in Shelby Miller today. Miller has put together an excellent first season with the Braves and is coming off a very good outing against the Diamondbacks. Miller held Arizona to one run on two hits in seven innings. Miller walked four and struck out 10. Miller received a no-decision after putting together his second double-digit strikeout game of the year.
Miller is 0-4 in six starts since the break with a 2.58 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. On the road this year, Miller is 3-4 in 12 starts with a 2.84 WHIP and 1.13 WHIP.
The Cubs beat Miller back on July 19. The Cubs scored three runs, one earned, on four hits with four walks and eight strikeouts in six innings. Miller has had a lot of success against the Cubs in his career. Miller is 1-1 in six games, five starts, with a 2.51 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. At Wrigley, the former Cardinal does not have a decision in three games, two starts. Miller has allowed five runs on 10 hits (three home runs) with two walks and 11 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings (4.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP).
Cubs Career Numbers against Shelby Miller
- Starlin Castro: 1-for-11 with one double
- Anthony Rizzo: 2-for-9
- Chris Coghlan: 1-for-7 with one walk
- Jorge Soler: 3-for-7 with two home runs and one walk
- Dexter Fowler: 0-for-5 with one walk
- Chris Denorfia: 3-for-4 with one double
- Kyle Hendricks: 1-for-4
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Jonathan Herrera: 1-for-3
- Miguel Montero: 1-for-3
- David Ross: 0-for-2 with one walk
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …