Game One Hundred Twenty-Seven: Cubs (81-45) vs. Dodgers (71-56)
- Game Time – 9:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: ABC-7 – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Mike Montgomery, LHP (4-5, 2.41/1.15/3.44) vs. Bud Norris, RHP (6-10, 5.67/1.47/4.65)
The Cubs get back to work tonight as the three-city, nine-game road trip moves to Dodger Stadium for the first of three with the Dodgers.
The Cubs are 4-2 over the first six games and will face a big test this weekend. The Dodgers were the hottest team in baseball, outside of the Cubs, before Andrew Friedman and the front office decided to trade A.J. Ellis to the Phillies for Carlos Ruiz and severely change the dynamic in the clubhouse. The Dodgers lost to the Giants on Thursday night and came within an out of being no-hit by Matt Moore. The Dodgers begin play tonight two games ahead of the Giants in the NL West.
Until the front office pulled what it did Thursday, the Dodgers were playing unbelievable baseball without their best player. The Dodgers have dealt with one injury after the other, especially in the rotation, with the biggest loss being the best pitcher on the planet, Clayton Kershaw. If the Dodgers are able to get past the latest drama and Kershaw returns as expected, the Cubs could see them again in October.
Dave Roberts has done an incredible job in his first year as Dodgers’ skipper. Roberts is the frontrunner for NL Manager of the Year. The Dodgers have the best bullpen in the National League, if not in all of baseball. And Corey Seager is not only the NL Rookie of the Year, but he’s played his way into the NL MVP competition and many in the game think he will push Kris Bryant for the award.
The Cubs took three of four from the Dodgers at Wrigley earlier this season (May 30-June 2) and could be catching them at the right time. The Dodgers have not announced the starters for Saturday (3:05pm CDT) or Sunday (3:10pm CDT). Jason Hammel and Jon Lester are scheduled to follow Mike Montgomery this weekend.
Mike Montgomery takes on Bud Norris tonight. Norris has already shut the Cubs down once this season and will look to do it again tonight. Miguel Montero should be behind the plate tonight with Montgomery on the hill and with the success he’s had against Norris. Montero is 6-for-14 with one double and two walks in his career versus the now Dodgers’ right-hander.
Mike Montgomery faces his childhood team for the first time tonight. Montgomery is from Mission Hills, went to high school in Santa Clarita and grew up 30 minutes from Dodger Stadium. According to the Tribune, Montgomery celebrated his fifth birthday at Dodger Stadium and pitched in a high school tournament there. Montgomery will have a lot of family and friends at the game.
Tonight all starts with Mike Montgomery …
Mike Montgomery makes his second straight start with the Cubs and fourth of the season. Montgomery did an excellent job the last time out. Montgomery took a no-hitter into the fifth inning at Coors Field. Montgomery allowed a solo home run to Nick Hundley and Joe Maddon went to his pen for Trevor Cahill. Montgomery and Cahill combined on a gem in the Cubs only win at Coors.
Montgomery has allowed only one run in his last five appearances. And he’s 1-0 in his last four games, one start, with a 0.96 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.
In eight games, one start, with the Cubs, Montgomery is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 4.61 FIP. In 13 innings, Montgomery has allowed four runs on 12 hits with seven walks and 17 strikeouts.
Mike Montgomery faces a big challenge tonight at Dodger Stadium in his first career appearance against the Dodgers.
Josh Reddick (1-for-2 with a double) is the only player on Dave Roberts’ active roster that has faced Mike Montgomery in a regular season big league game.
The Cubs get another shot at Bud Norris tonight. Norris dominated and shut the Cubs down when he faced them back on June 10 in Atlanta. Norris returned to the Braves rotation and in his second start back he limited the Cubs to one run on four hits in seven innings. Norris did not walk a batter and struck out seven.
Norris has been, well Bud Norris during his time with the Dodgers. Norris has struggled with consistency and injuries throughout his career and it has been more of the same with the Dodgers.
In nine games, seven starts, Norris is 3-3 with a 5.67 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with the Dodgers.
Bud Norris has always stepped up his game when he faces the Cubs. Norris had a ton of success against all of the teams in the NL Central when he was with the Astros and Houston was still in the National League. That success has carried over. Norris will give the Cubs the best he has tonight. Book it.
For his career, Bud Norris is 5-5 in 12 games, 11 starts, against the Cubs with a 3.39 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Bud Norris
- Ben Zobrist: 3-for-19 with one home run and three walks
- Dexter Fowler: 5-for-9 with two doubles and six walks
- Miguel Montero: 6-for-14 with one double and two walks
- Jason Heyward: 3-for-10 with one double, one home run and one walk
- Anthony Rizzo: 0-for-10
- David Ross: 3-for-9 with one double and one home run
- Javier Baez: 0-for-5
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-3
- Trevor Cahill: 0-for-2
- Addison Russell: 0-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …