Game One Hundred Thirty-Two: Cubs (84-47) vs. Pirates (67-63)
- Game Time – 7:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet, ESPN – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jason Hammel, RHP (13-7, 3.21/1.14/4.33) vs. Ryan Vogelsong, RHP (3-3, 3.02/1.28/4.51)
The Cubs look to complete the three-game sweep of the Pirates tonight behind Jason Hammel. This is the Pirates last game of the regular season at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are 7-1 versus the Bucs at the old ballyard this season and have four more games on the schedule with the division rivals (Sept. 26-29) at PNC Park. If all goes as planned for Hammel and the Cubs, Josh Harrison will be able to hear his favorite song one more time tonight.
Jason Hammel asked to be moved up a day to face the Pirates in the finale of the three-game series. Flipping Hammel and Mike Montgomery made sense for the Cubs and both pitchers. Montgomery will start Thursday against the Giants. Hammel matches up on paper a little better against the Pirates and Montgomery could use the extra day after throwing a season-high 91 pitches against the Dodgers.
Hammel was not happy about being pulled in the third inning last Saturday at Dodger Stadium. Hammel has fueled his critics with the last two outings. Hammel is back at Wrigley where he’s had a lot of success this season and will look to put the starts in Denver and Los Angeles in the rearview mirror.
The Cubs recalled Tommy La Stella a day early and he is starting tonight’s game. La Stella is batting seventh and playing second base.
Cubs’ batting order: Dexter Fowler CF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Jorge Soler LF, Jason Heyward RF, Addison Russell SS, Tommy La Stella 2B, Willson Contreras C, Jason Hammel P
Tonight all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel’s last start was over before he had a chance to settle in. Jason Hammel struggled with his command, gave up a home run, some hard hit balls and he was lifted with one out in the third inning after throwing only 39 pitches. The Dodgers scored three runs on five hits. Hammel was not sharp but he really wasn’t given a chance to correct anything. Hammel was replaced by Rob Zastryzny and the Cubs lost 3-2.
Hammel was not good in Colorado and got off to a bad start in Los Angeles. Hammel has allowed 13 runs, nine earned, on 15 hits with two walks and three strikeouts in his last two starts (5 2/3 innings) … that’s a 14.13 ERA and 3.00 WHIP. Hammel has to be better tonight.
Even with the last two starts, Hammel is 3-2 in his last five games with a 3.16 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. And since the break, Hammel is 6-2 in eight starts with a 2.68 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.
Jason Hammel makes his 13th start of the season at Wrigley tonight. Hammel is 8-1 in 12 starts at Wrigley with a 1.79 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
Against the Pirates this season, Hammel is 2-0 in two starts with a 2.31 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. For his career, Hammel owns a 7-5 record in 14 games, 13 starts, with a 3.78 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.
Pirates Career Numbers against Jason Hammel
- Andrew McCutchen: 12-for-36 with three doubles, three home runs and one walk
- Starling Marte: 5-for-21
- Jordy Mercer: 6-for-22 with one double and one home run
- Josh Harrison: 2-for-16 with one walk
- Matt Joyce: 3-for-15 with two walks
- Gregory Polanco: 5-for-15 with one double
- John Jaso: 2-for-12 with one double and one walk
- David Freese: 1-for-6
- Ryan Vogelsong: 0-for-2
- Eric Fryer: 1-for-1
- Sean Rodriguez: 0-for-1
Ryan Vogelsong makes his sixth start after missing two months of the season with facial fractures. The veteran right-hander is coming off a win against the Marlins. Vogelsong allowed two runs on four hits with four walks and six strikeouts to the Brewers in Milwaukee. The Pirates won 5-3 and are 2-3 in his last five starts.
Ryan Vogelsong is 2-2 in his last five starts with a 2.48 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. And on the road this season, Vogelsong is 3-3 in 10 starts with a 3.46 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.
Tonight is Vogelsong’s first start of the season against the Cubs. In two games against the Cubs this year, both in relief, Vogelsong was charged with one run on one hit with no walks and three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Anthony Rizzo took him deep back on May 4.
For his career, Ryan Vogelsong is 5-7 in 20 games, 12 starts, against the Cubs with a 5.60 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. And at Wrigley Field, Vogelsong is 3-5 in 12 games, eight starts, with a 5.88 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Ryan Vogelsong
- Miguel Montero: 9-for-32 with three doubles and three walks
- Dexter Fowler: 4-for-16 with two doubles, one triple and one walk
- Jason Heyward: 5-for-14 with one double, one home run and three walks
- Anthony Rizzo: 4-for-8 with one double and three home runs
- David Ross: 1-for-5 with one double
- Kris Bryant: 0-for-4
- Javier Baez: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Jason Hammel: 0-for-3
- Addison Russell: 1-for-3
- Jorge Soler: 1-for-1 with one walk
- Ben Zobrist: 0-for-1
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …