Game One Hundred Thirty-Four: Cubs (86-47) vs. Giants (72-61)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV, MLB Network – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jon Lester, LHP (14-4, 2.70/1.06/3.61) vs. Albert Suarez, RHP (3-2, 4.35/1.30/4.31)
The Cubs turn to Jon Lester in game two of four with the Giants. And it will be up to Lester to keep the Giants in check while the offense figures out another rookie starting pitcher.
The Cubs will face rookie right-hander Albert Suarez this afternoon and not Matt Cain. Suarez has struggled with left-handed hitters this season at the big league level. The numbers point to Joe Maddon running out a balanced lineup, especially with David Ross behind the plate for Lester today.
The Cubs have seen Suarez, for three innings back in May, and did not record a hit. Making Suarez work early is imperative and a Samardzija-like first inning could lead to the Cubs’ fifth straight win.
Today all starts with Jon Lester …
Jon Lester is coming off a no-decision against the Dodgers last Sunday. Lester allowed just three hits in six scoreless innings with two walks and six strikeouts. The Cubs dropped the game 1-0, the first loss for the Cubs in a game started by Lester since July 9.
Lester finished August with a 3-0 record in five starts with a 1.71 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. And since the break, Lester is 5-0 in eight starts with a 2.01 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Lester has allowed 11 runs on 34 hits with 17 walks and 52 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings.
Lester takes the hill at Wrigley for the 13th time on the season. Lester is 7-2 with a 2.01 ERA and 0.95 WHIP after allowing 19 runs, 18 earned, on 55 hits with 22 walks and 85 strikeouts in 80 2/3 innings.
Jon Lester will be looking to make up for his horrible start in San Francisco earlier in the season. One of Lester’s worst games of the year happened at AT & T Park back on May 21. Lester lasted just 2 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on six hits with three walks.
For his career, Lester is 3-1 in four starts against the Giants with a 2.67 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
Giants Career Numbers against Jon Lester
- Denard Span: 8-for-24 with one double and six walks
- Eduardo Nunez: 2-for-15 with one walk
- Hunter Pence: 2-for-12 with one walk
- Buster Posey: 5-for-13 with one double and one home run
- Brandon Crawford: 2-for-7 with one walk
- Brandon Belt: 0-for-6 with one walk
- Angel Pagan: 0-for-3
- Trevor Brown: 1-for-2
- Joe Panik: 1-for-2 with one double
- Ehire Adrianza: 0-for-1
The Cubs get their second look at Albert Suarez. The Giants’ rookie right-hander is making the eighth start of his big league career today. Suarez lasted 4 1/3 innings against the Braves his last time out. Suarez took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Suarez is making his fifth appearance in the big leagues since the break today. Suarez is 0-1 in four games, one start, with a 7.36 ERA and 2.18 WHIP.
In nine games, seven starts, for Triple-A Sacramento this season, Suarez was 4-3 with a 4.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Suarez allowed 26 runs, 22 earned, on 46 hits with 14 walks and 39 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings.
Albert Suarez pitched three perfect innings against the Cubs on May 20. Today is his first start and appearance at Wrigley Field.
Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Dexter Fowler, Tommy La Stella, Miguel Montero, Anthony Rizzo, Jorge Soler and Ben Zobrist got to see Albert Suarez one time back on May 20 in San Francisco.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …