Game Eleven: Cubs (8-2) vs. Rockies (6-4)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jake Arrieta (2-0, 1.93/0.78/3.57) vs. Christian Bergman (0-1, 12.00/2.22/2.88)
It’s a new day. Joe Maddon assured the media and fan base after Friday’s less-than-stellar performance that his team would get back on track today behind Jake Arrieta.
The Cubs did not play their game Friday. Too many mistakes and just looked flat for the first time this season. There will be more days and games like yesterday this season. It’s up to Maddon and his coaches to make sure those games are few and far between in order for the Cubs to reach their goal this year.
Jake Arrieta makes his third start of the season this afternoon. Arrieta has the tough task of holding the Rockies offense in check while his teammates figure out Christian Bergman. The Cubs dealt with Chad Bettis pitching against the scouting report Friday and could not adjust. The Cubs should be better prepared today with a full 24 hours between start times.
The Cubs lineup should be loaded with as many right-handers as possible. Bergman has pitched in 42 big league games with 14 starts and right handers have hit .362/.385/.612 with a .997 OPS and left-handers have managed only a .248/.293/.390 line with a .684 OPS.
Today all starts with Jake Arrieta …
Jake Arrieta is coming off a very good outing against the Diamondbacks. Arrieta not only limited the D-Backs to three runs on eight hits in seven innings without a walk and six strikeouts, he launched one of the longest homers anyone will see a pitcher hit. Arrieta showed that he is human and was able to put his team in position to win a game when he didn’t have his best stuff.
In two starts this season, Arrieta has allowed three runs on 10 hits with one walk and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings.
At Wrigley a year ago, Arrieta was 9-5 in 15 starts with a 1.97 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. Arrieta allowed 23 runs, all earned, on 67 hits with 23 walks and 107 strikeouts in 105 innings.
In two career starts against the Rockies, Arrieta has struggled to a 1-1 record with a 7.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Arrieta did not face Colorado last season. Arrieta made his last start against the Rockies in 2014, back-to-back outings on July 31 and Aug. 6. Needless to say, it was the game in Denver that skewed his numbers against the Rockies.
Rockies Career Numbers against Jake Arrieta
- Mark Reynolds: 2-for-12 with one home run
- Gerardo Parra: 1-for-9
- Nolan Arenado: 2-for-6 with two doubles
- Carlos Gonzalez: 2-for-6 with one home run
- D.J. LeMahieu: 1-for-6
- Nick Hundley: 1-for-4
- Brandon Barnes: 1-for-1
Christian Bergman makes his first start of the season today. Bergman has appeared in two games, both in relief, and had a rough inning against the Diamondbacks back on April 5. Bergman has completed three innings this season and allowed four runs, all earned, on six hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Bergman was 3-1 in 30 games, four starts, for the Rockies last season with a 4.74 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.
Christian Bergman has completed one inning in his career against the Cubs. Bergman picked up the win after putting up nothing but zeros on the board.
Jason Heyward (2-for-4), Tommy La Stella (0-for-2 with a walk) and Miguel Montero (0-for-1 with a walk) are the only three players on Maddon’s active roster that have faced Bergman in a regular season big league ballgame.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …