Game One Hundred Twenty-Eight: Cubs (82-45) vs. Dodgers (71-57)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV, FS 1 – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Jason Hammel, RHP (13-6, 3.07/1.12/4.26) vs. Julio Urias, LHP (4-2, 3.95/1.52/3.32)
Jason Hammel gets the ball today as the Cubs look for two wins in a row at Dodger Stadium.
The Cubs put together a late-game comeback that resulted in an extra innings win on Friday night. The Cubs face another challenge today with rookie lefty Julio Urias on the hill for the Dodgers. Urias has shown steady improvement in the big leagues and is coming off an excellent start.
Joe Maddon should run out a right-handed lineup today with Anthony Rizzo the only left-hander starting behind Jason Hammel. Right-handers have hit .305/.369/.412 against Urias in the majors this season with a .782 OPS. Left-handers have managed only a .204/.273/.408 line with a .681 OPS.
With the Giants just a game back in the division, the Dodgers need to win today’s game. The Cubs must make the rookie work and take advantage of the pressure he will most likely feel on the mound when the game begins.
Today all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel is coming off a not-so-good outing. Hammel was hammered and he received no help from his defense. Hammel was charged with 10 runs, six earned, on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings. As was the case when Hammel gave up 10 runs at Citi Field, he just has to forget about the last time out.
Hammel was, and really still is, on a roll. Even with his last outing, Hammel is 3-1 in four starts with a 2.31 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. And since the break, Hammel is 6-1 in seven starts with a 2.18 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. That’s two easy examples of just how good he’s been.
And with that said, maybe he’s had a couple of extra bags of chips over the last five days.
Jason Hammel is 5-5 in 12 road starts with a 4.41 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Hammel faced the Dodgers at Wrigley earlier this season and will look to shut down Dave Roberts’ team today.
Hammel completed two innings in his start versus the Dodgers on May 30, Memorial Day. Hammel left the game with cramping in his right hamstring and soon after was put on the potato chip diet. Hammel gave up one hit and one walk with three strikeouts before he was lifted.
Jason Hammel is 2-6 in 17 career games, 13 starts, against the Dodgers with a 4.80 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. And at Dodger Stadium, Hammel is 0-4 in eight games, five starts, with a 4.91 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.
Dodgers Career Numbers against Jason Hammel
- Adrian Gonzalez: 7-for-38 with two doubles, one home run and five walks
- Howie Kendrick: 7-for-16 with two doubles and one walk
- Chase Utley: 5-for-10 with one triple, one home run and two walks
- Yasmani Grandal: 0-for-6
- Justin Turner: 2-for-4 with two walks
- Kike Hernandez: 1-for-5
- Joc Pederson: 0-for-4
- Josh Reddick: 0-for-3 with one walk
- Corey Seager: 0-for-1
Julio Urias made his second start in the big leagues against the Cubs at Wrigley back on June 2. The Cubs beat the Dodgers 7-2 and scored six runs, five earned, off Urias in five innings. Urias served up three homers and looked like a 19-year making his second start in the majors.
Urias has shown improvement and is coming off six innings of shutout ball against the Reds. And the Reds have played really good ball since the break. Urias has shown glimpses of what he is capable of … and it’s been as advertised.
Over his last four games, two starts, Urias is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. And since the break, the now 20-year old lefty is 3-0 in five games, three starts, with a 2.18 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
Julio Urias is 2-0 in six games, five starts, at Dodger Stadium with a 3.24 ERA and 1.52 WHIP.
Cubs Numbers against Julio Urias
- Kris Bryant: 1-for-3 with one home run
- Dexter Fowler: 1-for-3
- Jason Heyward: 2-for-3 with one home run
- Anthony Rizzo: 0-for-3 with one walk
- Jorge Soler: 2-for-3
- Javier Baez: 2-for-2 with one home run
- Miguel Montero: 0-for-2
- Addison Russell: 0-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …