Game One Hundred Forty-Seven: Cubs (93-53) vs. Brewers (66-81)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
John Lackey, RHP (9-8, 3.35/1.02/3.72) vs. Chase Anderson, RHP (8-11, 4.53/1.37/5.06)
Weather permitting … The 2016 National League Central Division Champions will look to get back in the win column today behind John Lackey. The Cubs clinched the division title on Thursday night and will celebrate the team’s hard work after Friday’s game regardless of the outcome.
Joe Maddon is running out a B-Team lineup today behind John Lackey as promised. The Cubs have the players to beat the Brewers with Lackey on the hill.
Cubs batting order: Matt Szczur RF, Javier Baez SS, Jorge Soler LF, Willson Contreras C, Chris Coghlan 1B, Albert Almora Jr. CF, Tommy La Stella 3B, Munenori Kawasaki 2B, John Lackey P
Maddon is running out a right-handed heavy lineup with players looking to be included on the postseason roster, which is the best move for his team today. Right-handers have a .916 OPS against Chase Anderson this season with 41 extra basehits (24 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs) and a .309/.363/.554 slash line. Left-handers have hit .207/.285/.401 with a .685 OPS off Anderson this year.
Today all starts with John Lackey …
John Lackey makes his third start today since returning from the DL. Lackey has been fine the last two times out despite taking the loss in Houston by a 2-1 final. Lackey gave up two runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts in six innings. Lackey is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.82 WHIP.
Lackey is 2-3 with a 2.56 ERA and 0.85 WHIP since the break. Lackey has allowed 17 runs, 15 earned, on 34 hits with 11 walks and 34 strikeouts. Lackey takes the hill at Wrigley for the 15th time on the season. Lackey is 6-4 with a 2.44 ERA and 0.96 WHIP (30 runs, 26 earned, 65 hits 27 walks, 87 strikeouts, 96 innings). Today is Lackey’s third start of the season against the Brewers.
In two games, both at Miller Park, versus the Brewers, Lackey is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. And for his career, John Lackey owns a 5-2 record in 10 starts with a 3.09 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.
Brewers Career Numbers against John Lackey
- Ryan Braun: 5-for-22 with one double
- Scooter Gennett: 6-for-17 with one double and one walk
- Chris Carter: 1-for-11 with one home run
- Jonathan Villar: 2-for-7 with two walks
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis: 4-for-7 with one double, one home run and one walk
- Hernan Perez: 0-for-8
- Martin Maldonado: 2-for-6
- Jimmy Nelson: 1-for-6
- Domingo Santana: 2-for-4 with one walk
- Yadiel Rivera: 0-for-2
The Cubs get another shot at Chase Anderson today. Anderson shut the Cubs down the first time he faced them back on May 17 at Miller Park. Anderson flirted with a no-hitter and really made the Cubs look bad at the plate. In his last start against the Cubs on Aug. 16, he was lifted with two outs in the first inning after taking a comebacker from Kris Bryant.
Anderson received a no-decision in a 5-1 loss to the Cardinals his last time out. Anderson blanked the Redbirds for 5 2/3 innings and allowed just three hits and two walks. Anderson has not allowed a run in his last 10 2/3 innings. Anderson is 1-0 in two starts with a 0.00 ERA and 0.94 WHIP.
In 11 games, 10 starts, since the break, Chase Anderson is 4-1 with a 2.94 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. Anderson is 2-6 in 15 road games, 14 starts, with a 5.05 ERA and 1.34 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Chase Anderson
- Jason Heyward: 2-for-10 with one home run
- Kris Bryant: 1-for-5 with one home run
- Dexter Fowler: 0-for-4
- Tommy La Stella: 0-for-4
- Javier Baez: 0-for-3
- Miguel Montero: 0-for-2 with one walk
- Anthony Rizzo: 0-for-3
- Addison Russell: 0-for-3
- Ben Zobrist: 1-for-3 with one double
- Chris Coghlan: 0-for-2
- Matt Szczur: 0-for-1
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …