Game One Hundred Sixty-Two: Cubs (96-65) vs. Brewers (68-93)
- Game Time – 2:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV Ch. 9 – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 187, 844
- Location – Miller Park, Milwaukee
Dan Haren (10-9, 3.67/1.15/4.68) vs. Jorge Lopez (1-0, 5.40/2.00/1.54)
It’s Game 162, the last day of what has been an excellent regular season for the Chicago Cubs. For the first time in seven years the Cubs season does not end today. The Cubs and Pirates will play in the NL Wild Card Game on Wednesday. And the venue will be determined today.
Due to the Cubs’ seven-game winning streak, Joe Maddon’s team enters play today one game behind the Pirates in the standings. The Cubs own the tiebreaker if both teams finish with identical regular season record. If the Cubs are able to complete the sweep in Milwaukee and the Reds find a way to beat the Pirates, it will be a wild Wednesday at Wrigley Field. The Cubs will host the NL Wild Card.
With the exception of the doubleheader in Atlanta between the Braves and Cardinals, every game throughout baseball starts around 2:00pm CDT (2:05pm CDT or 2:10pm CDT). There will be a lot of scoreboard watching today. For the Cubs, it’s just take care of business and let the chips fall where they may.
Dan Haren makes the start today for the Cubs and will oppose the Brewers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Jorge Lopez. Dan Haren could be making the last start of his big league career this afternoon.
The Cubs have come a long way since Opening Night against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. No one predicted the Cubs would have a chance on the last day of the regular season to be a 97-win team.
Joe Maddon’s first lineup of the season was Dexter Fowler CF, Jorge Soler RF, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Starlin Castro SS, Chris Coghlan LF, Mike Olt 3B, David Ross C, Jon Lester P and Tommy La Stella 2B. Maddon’s starting nine for Game 162 is Austin Jackson CF, Chris Coghlan RF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Starlin Castro 2B, Chris Denorfia LF, Miguel Montero C, Addison Russell SS and Dan Haren P.
What a season it has been, and it’s not over. It’s just the beginning of what could be a fun October.
Today all starts with Dan Haren …
Dan Haren had a very good start his last time out. Haren pitched into the eighth inning in Cincinnati last Tuesday and did not allow any runs in a 4-1 Cubs’ win. Haren was given an early lead, found a groove and threw strikes. Haren allowed three hits and no walks with six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
Dan Haren was rather sharp against the Reds with the extra rest and is 2-0 in his last five starts with a 2.36 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. If Haren is going to retire after this season, the Cubs could receive a good outing from a veteran pitcher today who had an excellent career.
Today is Haren’s second start of the season versus the Brewers. Haren allowed three runs on five hits with a walk and six strikeouts to Milwaukee on Aug. 11 at Wrigley. The Cubs beat the Brewers 6-3 and Haren pick up his first win with the Cubs.
Dan Haren is 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 10 starts with the Cubs.
Brewers Career Numbers against Dan Haren
- Adam Lind: 5-for-16 with one double, two home runs and two walks
- Khris Davis: 3-for-6 with one double
- Jonathan Lucroy: 2-for-7 with one double, one home run and one walk
- Jean Segura: 0-for-6
- Scooter Gennett: 1-for-4
- Shane Peterson: 1-for-3
- Elian Herrera: 1-for-2 with one double
- Logan Schafer: 0-for-2
- Jason Rogers: 0-for-1
The Cubs get their first look at rookie right-hander Jorge Lopez in what is just his second start in the majors. Jorge Lopez impressed in San Diego and makes his Miller Park debut today. Lopez ran into trouble toward the end of his outing and gave up two runs in the fourth. Lopez picked up the win after allowing three runs on eight hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in five innings.
The Brewers selected the 22-year old right hander in the second round of the 2011 draft. Lopez spent the season with Double-A Biloxi … and put up very good numbers. Lopez was 12-5 in 24 starts with a 2.26 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Lopez allowed 37 runs, 36 earned, on 105 hits with 52 walks and 137 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings. Lopez has not pitched above Double-A.
Jorge Lopez has a smooth easy delivery and features a fastball in the 90-94 mph range. Lopez gets good sink on his two-seamer. Lopez throws a breaking ball in the 75-78 mph range and a change-up. His curveball has shown improvement and has become a solid-average secondary pitch.
The Cubs have not seen Jorge Lopez firsthand. Not allowing the rookie to gain any confidence will go a long way towards finishing the regular season with a victory.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …