Game One Hundred Fifteen: Cubs (66-48) vs. White Sox (54-59)
- Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: ABC-7 – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 180, 844
- Location – U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago
Jake Arrieta (13-6, 2.38/0.99/2.66) vs. Jose Quintana (6-9, 3.59/1.28/3.23)
Round two of the Crosstown Cup Series resumes tonight on the South Side with Jake Arrieta taking the hill in a rematch from July 12 with Jose Quintana. Arrieta beat the Sox last month and look Quintana deep in the fifth inning.
Joe Maddon needs a long, effective outing from Jake Arrieta today. Maddon has used his bullpen quite a bit in two of the last three games. With Pedro Strop, Justin Grimm and Clayton Richard likely unavailable, the fewer steps between Arrieta and Hector Rondon should put the Cubs in a better position to win the game.
The Cubs face another tough task with the lefty Jose Quintana. Joe Maddon should run out his right-handed hitting lineup that includes David Ross behind the plate, Chris Denorfia in left field and Starlin Castro at second base. Jorge Soler is expected back in the lineup today. And Maddon mentioned the possibility of Kris Bryant getting a break from third base today and taking his at bats as the designated hitter.
If the Sox retaliate for Strop’s actions Friday, the Cubs should make a note and take care of it next spring. The Cubs have something to play for beyond the annual bragging-rights fest with the Sox.
The Cubs are 2-2 versus the Sox this season. One more win for the Southsiders and the Crosstown Cup remains at The Cell for another year. As Bruce Miles has said, if the two teams are going to compete for a trophy every season, the least the clubs could do is rename it the ‘Banks-Minoso Cup.’
Tonight all starts with Jake Arrieta …
Jake Arrieta not only pitched 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball his last time out, he also tripled and scored the Cubs’ second run in a 2-0 win over the Giants. Arrieta knew it was up to him to deliver the victory and the series sweep against the Giants. And he did everything he could. Hector Rondon walked the tightrope in the ninth and struck out the side after loading the bases with no outs to preserve Arrieta’s gem.
Arrieta is 3-1 in his last five starts with a 1.34 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. Arrieta has allowed five runs on 20 hits with 14 walks and 35 strikeouts in his last 33 2/3 innings. Outside of Wrigley this year, Arrieta is 8-1 in 12 starts with a 2.02 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.
Jake Arrieta beat Jose Quintana and the Sox in the finale at Wrigley 3-1 on July 12. Arrieta tossed a complete game and hit a home run to finish the first half on a positive note. Arrieta is 2-1 in five career starts against the Sox with a 4.08 ERA and 1.29 WHIP … at The Cell, Arrieta is 1-1 in four starts with a 5.49 ERA and 1.78 WHIP.
White Sox Career Numbers against Jake Arrieta
- Adam LaRoche: 1-for-13 with three walks
- Alexei Ramirez: 5-for-13
- Gordon Beckham: 2-for-10
- Melky Cabrera: 1-for-8 with one home run
- Adam Eaton: 0-for-3
- Tyler Flowers: 1-for-4
- Jose Abreu: 1-for-3
- Avisail Garcia: 0-for-3
- Tyler Saladino: 1-for-3
- Carlos Sanchez: 1-for-3 with one double
Jose Quintana is coming off a rare bad outing, well at least for him it was a bad start. Quintana allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks to the Royals in 6 2/3 innings. Quintana struck out four in what was only the second time in his last 10 starts he allowed more than three earned runs.
Quintana is 2-0 in his last five outings with a 3.24 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. And he is 1-4 in 10 starts at The Cell with a 3.58 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.
Jose Quintana took the loss to Jake Arrieta and the Cubs back on July 12. Quintana allowed three runs on eight hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
Cubs Career Numbers against Jose Quintana
- Anthony Rizzo: 2-for-9 with one double
- Starlin Castro: 0-for-8 with one walk
- Dexter Fowler: 3-for-6 with one walk
- Chris Denorfia: 0-for-5 with one walk
- Kris Bryant: 1-for-3 with one triple
- Miguel Montero: 0-for-3
- Addison Russell: 0-for-3
- Jorge Soler: 1-for-3
- David Ross: 0-for-1 with one walk
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …