Game Fifty-Four: Cubs (38-15) vs. Diamondbacks (24-33)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV, MLB Network – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 89, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jason Hammel, RHP (6-1, 2.09/1.16/3.33) vs. Edwin Escobar, LHP (0-1, 18.90/3.30/4.63)
Weather permitting … The Cubs will look to secure a series win and improve to 8-1 on the homestand behind Jason Hammel.
All eyes will be on Jason Hammel this afternoon as he takes the hill for the first time since leaving the start on Memorial Day with cramping in his right hamstring. Hammel and the Cubs say he’s healthy and have downplayed the hamstring injury. If Hammel shows any signs of discomfort, Joe Maddon must get him out of the game and ask the bullpen to carry the load for the day.
The Cubs are facing a lefty they have not seen before in Edwin Escobar that was a waiver claim in April and a former reliever. The Cubs must make Escobar work and get back into the D-Backs bullpen as early as possible.
Joe Maddon is running out a right-handed heavy lineup as would be expected.
Cubs batting order: Dexter Fowler CF, Jason Heyward RF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Ben Zobrist 2B, Jorge Soler LF, Addison Russell SS, David Ross C, Jason Hammel P
Today all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel appeared to have his good stuff the last time out. Hammel allowed one hit, a ball that was lost in the sun, in two innings. Hammel issued a walk and struck out three before leaving the game. Hammel is 3-1 in his last six starts with a 3.09 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Hammel allowed 12 runs, 11 earned, on 27 hits with 13 walks and 28 strikeouts in 32 innings.
This is a big start for the Cubs and Jason Hammel. Win or lose, Hammel not showing any residual effects from the hamstring injury will be a victory for the Cubs this afternoon.
Jason Hammel received a no-decision against the Diamondbacks back on April 8 in Phoenix. Hammel allowed one run on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts in six innings in a game the Cubs lost 3-2. And for his career, Hammel is 4-4 in 14 games, 11 starts, with a 3.44 ERA and 1.16 WHIP against the D-Backs.
Diamondbacks Career Numbers against Jason Hammel
- Michael Bourn: 4-for-19 with two doubles and one walk
- Jean Segura: 3-for-17 with one double
- Paul Goldschmidt: 4-for-11 with one double, one home run and one walk
- Rickie Weeks: 3-for-8 with one double and one walk
- Nick Ahmed: 1-for-4 with one triple and one walk
- Chris Owings: 1-for-5
- Welington Castillo: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Philip Gosselin: 1-for-2
- Jake Lamb: 0-for-2
- Yasmany Tomas: 0-for-2
Lefty Edwin Escobar makes the second start of his big league career this afternoon. Escobar appeared in two games for the Red Sox in 2014, both in relief, and completed two innings. The Diamondbacks claimed Escobar off waivers from Boston on April 29.
Edwin Escobar lasted just 3 1/3 innings in his D-Backs debut against the Astros. And Houston scored eight runs, seven earned, on 10 hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Escobar made five starts for Triple-A Reno before he got the call from the D-Backs. Escobar was 2-1 with a 4.68 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. Escobar allowed 15 runs, 13 earned, on 28 hits with six walks and 17 strikeouts in 25 innings.
Ben Zobrist (1-for-1 with one double) is the only player on Joe Maddon’s active roster that has faced Escobar in a regular season big league ballgame.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …