Game Forty-Seven: Cubs (32-14) vs. Phillies (26-22)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: ABC-7 – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Kyle Hendricks, RHP (2-4, 3.30/1.05/2.91) vs. Jerad Eickhoff, RHP (2-6, 3.86/1.19/3.85)
Weather permitting … The Cubs will look to stay on track today against the Phillies behind Kyle Hendricks.
The Cubs have scored 27 runs in the last three games. Today, the offense will have to deal with the best starting pitcher they’ve seen since last Sunday in San Francisco.
Jerad Eickhoff has been really good since the trade with Rangers last July that landed him in Philadelphia. Eickhoff has severe home-road splits and has struggled against left-handed bats. Joe Maddon should run out a lefty heavy starting nine.
Kyle Hendricks has ties to Jerad Eickhoff from their time together in the Rangers’ system. Hendricks was taken in the eighth round of the 2011 draft and the Rangers selected Eickhoff in the 15th round. The two right-handers were teammates in 2011 with Short-Season Spokane. Hendricks was dealt to the Cubs in 2012 in the Ryan Dempster trade. Eickhoff stayed in the Rangers’ system until last July when he was part of the package for Cole Hamels.
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks bounced back from his poor outing in Milwaukee with a very good start in San Francisco. Hendricks went toe-to-toe with Madison Bumgarner for 5 1/3 innings. Hendricks surrendered one run on a double to Bumgarner in a game the Cubs dropped 1-0.
Hendricks must cut down on walks. Hendricks is issuing too many free passes while pitching from behind in the count of late. Hendricks simply does not have the stuff to put the opposing hitters in the driver’s seat.
Hendricks is 1-2 in his last four starts with a 2.70 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Hendricks has allowed eight runs, seven earned, on 16 hits with eight walks and 19 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings. And at Wrigley this season, Hendricks is 1-1 in four starts with a 2.28 ERA and 0.93 WHIP.
Kyle Hendricks won his only career start against the Phillies. Hendricks allowed three runs on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings last Sept. 11 in Philly.
Phillies Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Andres Blanco: 0-for-3
- Odubel Herrera: 1-for-2 with one double and one walk
- Ryan Howard: 1-for-3 with one double
- Cameron Rupp: 0-for-3
- Peter Bourjos: 1 plate appearance, no official at-bats
Jerad Eickhoff pitched as would be expected against the Braves in his last start. Eickhoff completed seven shutout innings and allowed five hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Eickhoff began the season with four quality starts in six outings. Eickhoff had issues against the Braves back on May 11. Eickhoff appears to focus against the better teams, which does not bode well for the Cubs today.
Eickhoff is 1-3 in his last four starts with a 3.47 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. In 23 1/3 innings, Eickhoff has allowed 10 runs, nine earned, on 24 hits with six walks and 11 strikeouts.
Outside of Philly has not been kind to Eickhoff this season. In four road starts, Eickhoff is 0-3 with a 6.53 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. Eickhoff makes his second career start against the Cubs this afternoon.
Jerad Eickhoff dominated the Cubs in Philadelphia last Sept. 12. Eickhoff allowed one run on three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts in seven innings.
Cubs Career Numbers against Jerad Eickhoff
- Javier Baez: 1-for-3
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-3
- Dexter Fowler: 0-for-1 with two walks
- Tommy La Stella: 0-for-3
- Miguel Montero: 1-for-3
- Anthony Rizzo: 0-for-3
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …