Game One Hundred Thirty-Five: Cubs (77-57) vs. Diamondbacks (65-71)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV Ch. 9 – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 187, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Kyle Hendricks (6-6, 4.15/1.24/3.54) vs. Rubby De La Rosa (12-6, 4.46/1.30/4.69)
The Cubs wrap up the homestand with the finale game of the series and season against the Diamondbacks. Joe Maddon turns to Kyle Hendricks as the Cubs look to complete the three-game sweep of Arizona. A win today would make it a 4-2 homestand and a 4-2 mark in the six games with the D-Backs this season.
The Cubs could really use at least a quality start from Kyle Hendricks this afternoon. Hendricks has struggled and will face a big challenge with Arizona. If Hendricks does not execute, throw strikes and stay ahead in the count early, it could be a rather short day for him. Joe Maddon has a well-rested, overstocked bullpen and should look to push all of the buttons he can to get the win today before hitting the road for 11 games in 11 days through St. Louis, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Miguel Montero will be back behind the plate today. And Maddon should load his lineup with lefties. Rubby De La Rosa has held right handers to a .210/.257/.314 slash line while left handers have pounded him to the tune of a .851 OPS (.312/.372/.513).
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
The homestand started with Kyle Hendricks six days ago and will conclude with him taking the ball this afternoon in the final game prior to a difficult road trip. The Cubs need a good outing from Hendricks today for no other reason than to quiet concerns about his performance since the break.
Hendricks is coming off another inconsistent outing. Hendricks lasted five innings and allowed three runs on five hits to the Reds. Hendricks walked three batters with four strikeouts.
The free passes are mounting on Hendricks. He has walked at least three batters in three of his last four outings and three times the last nine times he’s started a game. Hendricks does not have the stuff to work around walks and pitch from behind in the count. Hendricks has been doing both too much for the last two-plus months.
Since the break, Hendricks is 2-2 in nine starts with a 5.40 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. Hendricks has maintained a little better than a 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio, which is not good. Hendricks has walked 20 batters in his last 48 1/3 innings with 49 strikeouts.
Kyle Hendricks is 2-2 in 12 starts at Wrigley this year with a 3.69 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Hendricks missed the Diamondbacks in May. Today is his first start against the Diamondbacks. And no one on Chip Hale’s active roster has faced Hendricks in a regular season big league ballgame.
The Cubs get another shot at Rubby De La Rosa this afternoon. De La Rosa kept the Cubs in check in May and is coming off a quality start at Coors Field. De La Rosa allowed three runs on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts in six innings.
Consistency has been the issue for De La Rosa this year. De La Rosa will put it together for one start and turn in a mediocre at best start the next time out. De La Rosa is 6-1 in his last nine starts with a 3.32 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. And on the road this season, De La Rosa is 5-4 in 14 starts with a 4.48 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.
Rubby De La Rosa received a no decision against the Cubs on May 23. De La Rosa allowed four runs on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in six innings. The Cubs won the game 9-6 after an Anthony Rizzo blast in the ninth. De La Rosa makes his first appearance at Wrigley today in his second career start against the Cubs.
Cubs Career Numbers against Rubby De La Rosa
- Dexter Fowler: 3-for-8 with two walks
- Miguel Montero: 0-for-4 with one walk
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-5 with one double
- Jonathan Herrera: 0-for-4
- Kris Bryant: 1-for-2
- Starlin Castro: 0-for-3
- Chris Coghlan: 1-for-3
- Chris Denorfia: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Austin Jackson: 1-for-3
- Addison Russell: 0-for-1 with one walk
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …