Game Ninety-Eight: Cubs (59-38) vs. White Sox (48-50)
- Game Time – 7:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: ABC-7 – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 181, 844
- Location – U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago
Jake Arrieta, RHP (12-4, 2.60/1.08/2.93) vs. Miguel Gonzalez, RHP (2-5, 4.41/1.33/4.11)
It’s the Cubs vs. the White Sox, the North Side vs. the South Side in the Crosstown Classic.
The Cubs and Sox will square off for the next four days, first on the South Side then at Wrigley. The first two games of the annual City Series is at the Cell. And the Cubs will have to deal with a White Sox team that is a mess and will play the next four games like it’s the World Series.
The Cubs and Sox split the six games a year ago (Cubs were 1-2 at Wrigley, 2-1 at the Cell). The Sox retained the Crosstown Cup that has been on the South Side for the last two years. The Cubs swept the four-game Crosstown Series in 2013.
The Cubs are 49-55 in the Crosstown Classic (since 1997) and 24-28 at the Cell.
Joe Maddon has not announced which players will be the Cubs’ designated hitters over the next two days. With two right-handers on the hill for the Sox, Tommy La Stella will likely be the leading candidate. Joe Maddon could also use the DH as a way to keep Dexter Fowler in the lineup but give him a little breather from playing in the field.
After tonight’s matchup of former teammates in Jake Arrieta and Miguel Gonzalez, the Cubs have Kyle Hendricks going against James Shields on Tuesday (6:10pm CDT). In game three, the first at Wrigley, on Wednesday night (7:05pm CDT), Jason Hammel will take on former Cub Jacob Turner. The Crosstown Series concludes Thursday night (7:05pm CDT) with John Lackey scheduled to face Chris Sale.
Tonight all starts with Jake Arrieta …
Jake Arrieta will look to build off his last start tonight in the opener of the four-game series with the White Sox. Arrieta was very sharp against the Mets last Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Arrieta completed seven innings for the first time in over a month. Arrieta allowed one run on five hits with a walk and eight strikeouts.
Arrieta was efficient with quality strikes and repeated his mechanics. The Cubs need more of the same on the South Side tonight.
Arrieta is 0-2 in his last three starts with a 5.40 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. And on the road this season, Arrieta is 8-2 in 10 starts with a 3.44 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.
Jake Arrieta faced the Sox twice last year and was 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 0.57 WHIP. Arrieta tossed a complete game gem at Wrigley on the last day before the break and took Jose Quintana deep. For his career, Arrieta is 3-1 in six starts against the Sox with a 3.82 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. And at the Cell, Arrieta is 2-1 in five starts with a 4.78 ERA and 1.59 WHIP.
White Sox Career Numbers against Jake Arrieta
- Justin Morneau: 5-for-14 with one double, one triple and three walks
- Todd Frazier: 3-for-15 with one home run
- Melky Cabrera: 1-for-11 with one home run
- Adam Eaton: 0-for-6 with one walk
- Tyler Saladino: 2-for-7 with one double
- Jose Abreu: 2-for-5 with one double and one walk
- Avisail Garcia: 1-for-5
- Brett Lawrie: 2-for-3 with one double
- Dioner Navarro: 0-for-3
- J.B. Shuck: 0-for-1
The Cubs get their first look at the former Oriole Miguel Gonzalez tonight in a White Sox jersey. Gonzalez is coming off back-to-back quality starts, both losses by the Sox. Gonzalez gave up three runs on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts in six innings to the Mariners.
Miguel Gonzalez is 1-2 over his last four starts with a 2.77 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, by far his best stretch of starts of the season.
Miguel Gonzalez makes his second career start against the Cubs. Gonzalez lost the start back on Aug. 24, 2014 at Wrigley. The Cubs won the game 2-1. Gonzalez allowed two runs on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings (2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP).
Cubs Career Numbers against Miguel Gonzalez
- Ben Zobrist: 6-for-29 with two doubles, one home run and four walks
- David Ross: 1-for-8 with one home run
- Dexter Fowler: 1-for-5 with two walks
- Javier Baez: 0-for-3
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-3 with one double
- Matt Szczur: 1-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …