Game Four: Cubs (3-0) vs. Diamondbacks (1-3)
- Game Time – 8:40pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Chase Field, Phoenix
Jason Hammel (0-0, -.–/-.–/-.–) vs. Robbie Ray (0-0, -.–/-.–/-.–)
Joe Maddon turns to Jason Hammel tonight in game two of four against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Jason Hammel will be working with a different catcher for the first time in a month with Kyle Schwarber unavailable. Maddon will likely turn to David Ross with the lefty Robbie Ray on the hill, and that would keep Miguel Montero from catching four days in a row.
Maddon’s lineup could be rather interesting or he could simply insert Jorge Soler in left field. Soler needs at bats and playing time but based on the spring and first three games of the season, Matt Szczur has earned the start with the southpaw on the hill. Plus, the Cubs best defensive outfield would be Szczur in left, Dexter Fowler in center and Jason Heyward in right. The Cubs will have to catch the ball with Hammel on the hill.
Tonight all starts with Jason Hammel …
It was a tale of two halves for Jason Hammel a year ago. Hammel made 31 starts and was 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 3.68 FIP. Hammel gave up 79 runs, 71 earned, on 158 hits with 40 walks and 172 strikeouts in 170 2/3 innings
Hammel was one of the reasons the Cubs were in position to compete for a spot in the playoffs after the break. Hammel was 5-4 in 17 starts with a 2.86 ERA and 0.94 WHIP before July 8. Hammel’s season changed and went the other direction following the start on July 8 against the Cardinals.
Over his last 14 starts, Hammel was 5-3 with a 5.10 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. Hammel allowed 40 runs, 38 earned, on 78 hits with 22 walks and 67 strikeouts in 67 innings.
Jason Hammel is looking to put together a complete season this year and avoid the second half issues that he’s had during his career.
Outside of Wrigley last season, Hammel was 7-4 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 15 starts. One of those starts was a loss to the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
For his career, Hammel is 4-4 in 13 games, 10 starts, versus the Diamondbacks with a 3.61 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. And at Chase Field, Hammel is 2-2 in seven games, four starts, with a 4.22 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.
Diamondbacks Career Numbers against Jason Hammel
- Jean Segura: 1-for-14
- Paul Goldschmidt: 3-for-8 with one double, one home run and one walk
- Rickie Weeks: 3-for-8 with one double and one walk
- Chris Owings: 1-for-5
- Nick Ahmed: 1-for-3 with one triple
- David Peralta: 0-for-3
- Philip Gosselin: 1-for-2
Robbie Ray is coming off a good season with the Diamondbacks, his first in Arizona. The 24-year old lefty was 5-12 in 23 starts with a 3.52 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 3.53 FIP. Ray allowed 56 runs, 50 earned, on 121 hits with 49 walks and 119 strikeouts in 127 2/3 innings.
Ray was better on the road a year ago than at Chase Field. Ray made 11 starts in his home park and was 1-6 with a 4.88 ERA and 1.55 WHIP compared to 4-6 in 12 starts with a 2.49 ERA and 1.16 WHIP outside of Chase Field.
Robbie Ray made one start against the Cubs last year at Wrigley Field toward the end of the season. Ray was hung with the loss after allowing two runs on four hits with three walks and eight strikeouts in five innings.
Cubs Career Numbers against Robbie Ray
- Dexter Fowler: 3-for-6 with one home run
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-3
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-3
- Jason Heyward: 1-for-2
- David Ross: 0-for-1 with one walk
- Addison Russell: 0-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …