Game One Hundred Twelve: Cubs (63-48) vs. Brewers (48-66)
- Game Time – 7:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV Ch. 9 – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.17/1.05/3.36) vs. Matt Garza (6-12, 4.95/1.48/4.81)
Joe Maddon turns to Jason Hammel tonight as the Cubs look to equal the team’s season-long six game winning streak for the third time this year. The Cubs offense will see an amped up Matt Garza, who has pitched rather well since the break.
With the way the offense has produced, Maddon will likely run out the same lineup he has since Friday with the exception of Jason Hammel. Without bunters at the top of the order, it will be up to Dexter Fowler and Kyle Schwarber to set the tone with long at bats to start the game. If the Cubs can rattle Garza early it will pay dividends late.
Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies will call tonight’s game from the bleachers and Pat Hughes will be back in the booth with Ron Coomer and Mark Grote on WBBM.
Tonight all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel’s last outing did not go the way the veteran right hander would have liked. Jason Hammel was staked to a 5-0 lead but after giving up a two-run homer in the fourth inning and walking the first two batters in the fifth, Joe Maddon went to his bullpen for Justin Grimm. Hammel and Maddon talked it out after the game. Hammel said he was okay with Maddon’s decision but would have preferred a chance to clean up his own mess. Hammel should have a little chip on his shoulder tonight which could pay dividends for the Cubs.
With the abbreviated start, Hammel is 1-1 in his last four outings with a 4.91 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. Hammel has allowed 11 runs, 10 earned, on 22 hits with eight walks and 15 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings. Hammel should be better tonight with Miguel Montero behind the plate.
Jason Hammel is 1-2 in 10 starts at Wrigley this year with a 3.18 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. Hammel faces the Brewers for the fourth time this season after beating them 13 days ago in Milwaukee. Hammel is 2-0 in three starts versus the Brewers this year with a 2.89 ERA and 1.18 WHIP.
Brewers Numbers against Jason Hammel in 2015
- Ryan Braun: 1-for-7 with one home run and two walks
- Adam Lind: 2-for-9 with one double
- Khris Davis: 3-for-6 with one home run and one walk
- Jean Segura: 1-for-8
- Elian Herrera: 1-for-7
- Scooter Gennett: 1-for-6
- Martin Maldonado: 0-for-4 with one walk
- Jonathan Lucroy: 0-for-3
- Shane Peterson: 1-for-2 with one walk
The Cubs get the pleasure once again of facing Matt Garza. And he’s coming off a good outing against the Padres. After limiting the Cubs to three runs on four hits in six innings and taking the loss on Aug. 1, Garza beat the Padres his last time out. Garza tossed seven strong innings and allowed one run on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Matt Garza is a rather impressive 2-2 in his last four starts with a 2.55 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Garza has allowed seven runs on 19 hits with 11 walks and 19 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings. Garza is 3-5 in nine road starts this season with a 6.40 ERA and 1.69 WHIP and makes his third start against the Cubs.
Matt Garza will be at the top of his game tonight due to his feelings about the team and the front office he is facing. Two of Matt Garza’s best starts this year have come against the Cubs. Garza is 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
Cubs Numbers against Matt Garza in 2015
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-4 with one walk
- Starlin Castro: 0-for-6
- Chris Coghlan: 0-for-5 with one walk
- Dexter Fowler: 0-for-4 with two walks
- Anthony Rizzo: 3-for-6 with one home run
- Jorge Soler: 2-for-6
- Addison Russell: 0-for-3 with one walk
- Miguel Montero: 1-for-2 with one home run and one walk
- Kyle Schwarber: 1-for-2 with one walk
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …