CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
CALIFORNIA SUNSHINE: The Chicago Cubs tonight start a six-game road trip in California after a six-game homestand during which they went 4-2 and came away with the first two series wins of the season … the Cubs failed to pick up the series sweep against the Mariners, losing on Wednesday 5-2 in the final game of the series … Marcus Stroman churned out his third quality start in as many outings this season, throwing 6.0 innings and allowing two runs on five hits, two walks and striking out six batters … Chicago scored in the first and ninth innings, with Cody Bellinger blasting his second home run of the season.
The Cubs, who have won five of their last seven games, are rested and relaxed after an off-day yesterday, and start a six-game west coast swing against the Dodgers (3 games beginning today) and Athletics (3 games starting April 17).
The Cubs are in a stretch of 19 games (4-2) all against A.L. or N.L. West teams that started on April 7 against Texas and ends on April 27 against San Diego … in fact, the Cubs are in the seventh game (4-2) of 29-straight games outside of the division until hosting the Cardinals for three games, May 8-10.
GOING BACK, BACK TO CALI, CALI: Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger and infielder Edwin Rios make their return to Dodger Stadium for the first time since signing with the Cubs this offseason.
Bellinger played 745 games with Los Angeles (N.L.) across six seasons, batting .248 (652-for-2,627) with 134 doubles, 19 triples, 152 home runs, 422 RBI and an .819 OPS … while with the Dodgers he was named the 2017 N.L. Rookie of the Year, the 2019 N.L. Most Valuable Player and a two-time N.L. All-Star (2017, 2019) and won the 2019 Gold Glove Award and the 2019 Silver Slugger Award … in 11 games with the Cubs this season, Bellinger is hitting .238 (10-for-42) with a double, two homers, nine RBI and four walks.
Rios batted .219 (57-for-260) with nine doubles, one triple, 20 home runs, 43 RBI and a .492 slugging percentage in 112 games with Los Angeles over parts of four seasons … he was selected by the Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft and made his MLB debut with them June 27, 2019 … Rios has made three appearances with the Cubs and picked up a home run as his lone hit this season.
WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE: The Cubs on Wednesday agreed to terms with Ian Happ on a three-year contract extension that will cover the 2024-26 seasons.
Happ last season was named to his first N.L. All-Star Team and earned his first career Gold Glove Award, having led N.L. left fielders with 13 defensive runs saved … he also set career marks with a .271 batting average, 42 doubles, 72 RBI, 155 hits, 252 total bases and 158 games played.
In 689 career major league games, Happ owns a .250 batting average (541-for-2,166) with 312 runs scored, 120 doubles, 105 home runs, 314 RBI and 284 walks that contribute to a .340 on-base percentage … he owns a .992 fielding percentage (4 E/477 TC) with 17 assists in 353 games in left field.
Happ was selected by the Cubs in the first round (ninth overall) in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Cincinnati and made his MLB debut May 13, 2017.
MAN OF STEELE: Today’s starting pitcher Justin Steele comes into today’s game with a 1-0 record and 0.75 ERA after going 6.0 innings in each of his first two starts and allowing just one run across the outings.
Prior to this season, the previous Cubs pitcher to open the season with consecutive starts of at least 6.0 innings and one or no runs allowed was Tyler Chatwood in 2020 (Marcus Stroman also opened this season with two outings of 6.0 innings pitched and one or no runs allowed) … prior to that, Jason Hammel opened the 2016 campaign with four-straight starts of at least 6.0 innings and one or no runs surrendered.
In his last 12 games, dating to June 29, 2022, Steele has a 1.36 ERA (10 ER/66.1 IP) … his ERA ranks second among major league pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched in that span, behind only Justin Verlander (1.26)
ABOUT THE ROTATION: Cubs starting pitchers have a 3.62 ERA (22 ER/54.2 IP) in the season’s early going, the second-best mark in the N.L. and seventh in the majors … through the first 11 games of last season, the rotation had a 5.32 ERA (and a 6.10 ERA through the first 12 games of last year).
SO FAR, A RELIEF: Cubs hitters have posted a .293 average (46-for-157) against relief pitchers this season, the fourth-highest mark in the majors behind Milwaukee (.319), Toronto (.295) and Arizona (.294) … Chicago’s .356 on-base percentage against bullpen arms ranks seventh-best in the majors and fourth in the N.L.
WORD TO THE WISE: Patrick Wisdom on Saturday delivered a solo homer vs. the Rangers … since the start of the 2021 season, Wisdom has averaged one home run every 15.02 at-bats, the third-best rate among N.L. hitters with at least 900 plate appearances (Kyle Schwarber, 12.03, and Pete Alonso, 14.53).
Wisdom’s 56 homers since the start of the 2021 season are tied for 12th-most among N.L. hitters.
THIS AND THAT: Nico Hoerner has a nine-game on-base streak and is hitting .390 (16-for-41) with three doubles, three RBI and a .419 on-base percentage during that span … among National League hitters, he is tied for first in runs (12), tied for second in stolen bases (5), his 17 hits are tied for fourth and his .347 batting average on the season is tied for eighth.
Starting Pitcher – #35 LHP Justin Steele (1-0, 0.75)
Last Time Out
Justin earned his first win of the 2023 campaign, April 8 vs. Texas … has made a quality start in five of his last six outings … had his seven-start streak of five-plus strikeouts in an outing snapped … has tossed at least 6.0 innings, allowing one run or fewer in both of his starts in 2023 … the four walks matched a career high (done 7x, last Aug. 26, 2022 at Milwaukee).
2023 Splits and Season Notes
Justin is making his third start of the 2023 season tonight, first on the road … has posted a 0.92 ERA (5 ER/48.2 IP) since July 22, 2022, the lowest ERA in the majors during the run (min. 9 GS) … right-handed hitters are batting .125 (4-for-32) against him. Went 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP) with 13 strikeouts in four Cactus League starts in 2023 … started and tossed the first 2.0 innings of the Cubs combined no-hitter, March 3 at San Diego
2022 Splits and Season Notes
Justin in 24 starts in 2022 went 4-7 with a 3.18 ERA (42 ER/119.0 IP), 50 walks and 126 strikeouts … finished among the team leaders in strikeouts (1st), strikeouts per batter faced (1st, 4.06), HR per 9.0 IP (1st, 0.61) and innings pitched (2nd, 119.0). © His season was cut short when he was put on the Injured List Sept. 2 with a low back strain. Posted a 2.78 ERA (22 ER/71.1 IP) at Wrigley Field, allowing two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his 14 starts. Became the first Cub draftee with a 10-strikeout game since Jeff Samardzjia (May 16, 2014 at San Francisco). Became the 11th lefthander in Cubs history to strike out nine-plus batters in consecutive outings, May 15-21. In July and Aug. combined, made nine starts and posted a 1.46 ERA (8 ER/49.1 IP), which leads the majors in the stretch (min. 45.0 IP) … his 0.96 ERA (3 ER/28.0 IP) in the month of August was fourth-lowest in the majors during that span.
Career Notes
Justin is in his 10th season in the Cubs organization … is 9-11 with a 3.35 ERA (70 ER/188.0 IP) in 46 games (35 starts) after making his MLB debut in 2021. Owns a career 18-23 minor league record with a 3.44 ERA (133 ER/348.0 IP) over 89 outings (80 starts). Was added to the Cubs 40-man roster Nov. 20, 2018. Received Carolina League mid-season All-Star honors in 2017, as he went 6-7 with a 2.92 ERA (32 ER/98.2 IP) over 20 starts with Single-A Myrtle Beach. Was named a MiLB.com Cubs Organizational All-Star in both 2015 and 2017. Selected by the Cubs in the fifth round of the 2014 draft out of George County High School in Lucedale, Miss. Was named 5A Player of the Year in Mississippi by coaches in 2014 and won the Mississippi Hall of Fame Award for High School Baseball the same season. Was committed to the University of Southern Mississippi before signing with the Cubs.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:
BACK AT THE RAVINE: The Dodgers stormed back from an early 3-0 deficit to claim their second series win of the season, beating the Giants in San Francisco, 10-5, on Wednesday night. Los Angeles ended up 3-4 on its seven-game road trip after dropping three of four to begin their 2023 road slate in Arizona. Clayton Kershaw recorded career win No. 199, giving up just two earned runs over 6.0 innings and running his career record vs. San Francisco to 25-15 with a 2.02 ERA. This evening, the Boys in Blue begin a six-game homestand with the first of three games against the NL Central’s Chicago Cubs. Next week, Los Angeles will welcome the New York Mets to Dodger Stadium from Monday-Wednesday. The Dodgers won all seven games vs. the Cubs last season, sweeping a three-game set in Chicago and taking all four contests at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers outscored the Cubs 44-20 in those games and overall are on a 10-game winning streak vs. Chicago dating to June 25, 2021.
MAD MAX: The Dodger offense ignited in the sixth inning Wednesday night, as the club scored five runs in the frame following an incredible 15-pitch at-bat by Freddie Freeman that ended with a bases-loaded walk. Following a sacrifice fly from Will Smith, Dodger infielder Max Muncy cemented his second huge night of the series, connecting for a three-run homer, his second longball of the game. For Muncy, the two homers represented his 11th-career multi-homer contest and gave him four home runs and a whopping 11 RBI in the three-game set. Since 1920, Muncy’s 11 ribbies ties him for third all-time by a Dodger in a three-game series:
DODGERS – RBI in a 3-GAME Series (Since 1920)
Gil Hodges, 12 vs. CIN 1949
Frank Howard, 12 vs. SF 1962
Max Muncy, 11 at SF 2023
Babe Herman, 11 at NYG 1930
Mike Piazza, 11 at COL 1995
Muncy’s 25-career home runs vs. the Giants rank third among active players, trailing just Nolan Arenado (33) and Paul Goldschmidt (28). However, Muncy’s has ripped those 25 homers in just 297 plate appearances while Arenado (635) and Goldschmidt (659) have had considerably more. Overall, Muncy is tied for second in the National League in both home runs (5) and RBI (13), trailing just Pete Alonso (6) in the homer category and Bryan Reynolds (14) in RBI.
WALK THIS WAY: The Dodgers walked seven more times on Wednesday and have recorded five or more free passes in 11 of their 13 games this season. Los Angeles leads the Major Leagues with 72 free passes and their 72 walks are the most in L.A. Dodger history through 13 games, as they trail just the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers (85) and the 1941 Dodger squad (73) for most walks in franchise history through 13 contests.
DIGGING THE LONGBALL: The Dodgers belted three homers on Wednesday night, the two by Max Muncy and one by Trayce Thompson, who now has four on the season. The club has recorded five 3+ homer games this season and their 24 homers lead the National League, trailing only the Rays (32) for the most in baseball. Los Angeles also leads the National League with 79 runs scored, six triples (1st, ML), 52 extra-base hits, a .358 OBP, a .495 slugging percentage and an .853 OPS.
NOW THAT’S A START: Dodger rookie outfielder James Outman went 2-for-5 with an RBI on Wednesday night. On the season, Outman is slashing .289/.438/.684 with a 1.122 OPS. He has walked in nine of his 12 games with an at-bat this season and has reached base safely in 11 of his 12 games with an AB this year. His 10 RBI ranks fourth on the team, trailing just Max Muncy (13), Will Smith (12) and Trayce Thompson (11) while his nine walks are tied with Freddie Freeman for third on the squad, trailing just Miguel Vargas (13) and Mookie Betts (11). Dating back to 2022, Outman has appeared in 16 career games with an at-bat and in those contests has racked up 37 total bases. According to Sportradar, his 1.194 OPS is through his first 16 career games with an AB is the fourth highest all-time in Los Angeles Dodgers history, behind Yasiel Puig (1.267) and Matt Kemp (1.252).
TONIGHTS STARTER vs. CUBS: RHP NOAH SYNDERGAARD (0-1, 6.30 ERA in 2 GS in 2023)
2023 SEASON NOTES:
• Made his season debut April 2 and tossed 6.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits in a no decision
• Pitched in five games (four starts) during spring ball, going 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA (12 ER/18.2 IP) with 13 strikeouts against just two walks…held a 1.13 WHIP
• Only victory came in his second start in Dodger blue against San Diego, where he fired 3.0 scoreless frames with two strikeouts without issuing a walk
VS. CUBS:
• Will face the Cubs for the sixth time in his career…owns an overall 1-2 record in five starts with a 5.67 ERA (17 ER/27.0 IP) and 1.78 WHIP after striking out 33 batters and walking 10
• Last pitched against Chicago on Aug. 28, 2019, where he went three innings, giving up nine runs on nine hits and struck out five
2022 NOTES:
• Began his season with the Los Angeles Angels before getting traded at the deadline to the Philadelphia Phillies…earned a 10-10 record over 25 games (24 starts) with both clubs, striking out 95 batters and walking 31 en route to a 3.94 ERA (59 ER/134.2 IP)
• Recorded wins in his first two starts of the season (April 9 vs. HOU, April 16 at TEX), marking the first time in his Major League career he earned back-to-back victories to start the season in as many outings
• With the Angels, posted a 5-8 record in 15 starts with a 3.83 ERA (34 ER/80.0 IP) and 1.21 WHIP with 64 strikeouts…with the Phillies, bettered his record to a 5-2 mark in ten games (nine starts) with 31 strikeouts and a 4.12 ERA (25 ER/54.2 IP)
• Limited hitters to a .263 overall average, with righties kept at a .256 (77-for-301) and lefties at .272 (61-for-224)
• Returned to the Postseason for the first time since 2016, totaling a 0-1 record across four games (two starts) with a 3.24 ERA (3 ER/8.1 IP) and 0.84 WHIP…was one of two Phillies pitchers with previous World Series experience
• Started Game 5 of the World Series for the Phillies, taking the loss after allowing two unearned runs on three hits and four strikeouts through 3.0 innings…signed with the Dodgers as a free agent on December 16
CAREER NOTES:
• 2016 All-Star right-handed pitcher joins the Dodgers after splitting his time last season between the Angels and Phillies…owns a 57-42 Major League record over eight seasons with a 1.18 WHIP and 3.45 ERA (331 ER/862.2 IP)…has struck out 880 batters and walked 197 for a 9.20 strikeout-per-nine innings mark
• Across nine Postseason appearances, the righty has tallied a 2-2 mark with a 2.62 ERA (10 ER/34.1 IP) with 44 strikeouts and .190 opponents’ batting average…was a member of the 2015 New York Mets World Series roster and 2022 Philadelphia Phillies roster
• Threw his first two career complete games on Sept. 2 at San Francisco and on Sept. 30 vs. Miami, both in 2018…has fired four complete games in his career (also: May 2, 2019 vs. CIN, Aug. 4, 2022 vs. WSH)
• Named to the 2016 NL All-Star team, his first and only All-Star selection…did not pitch in the game due to arm fatigue
• Started three games during the 2015 playoffs with the New York Mets and earned the win in two of the three outings…his 26 strikeouts were tied for second-most by a rookie in postseason history and was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the World Series vs. Kansas City, becoming the second youngest Met to win a World Series game
• Smashed his first Major League home run, a solo homer to dead center, on May 27, 2015 vs. Philadelphia (off Sean O’Sullivan), also his first Major League hit…has hit seven doubles, six home runs, and 15 RBI at the Major League level
• Made his Major League debut as a Met at Chicago-NL on May 12, 2015, pitching 5.1 innings in his first big league start, striking out six…earned his first career win five days later on May 17 vs. Milwaukee after firing 6.0 innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts
• Picked up the save in the Futures Game in 2014, a 3-2 triumph for the United States over the World Team…in 1.0 inning, allowed one hit, no runs, no walks and one strikeout…started and hurled a scoreless inning for Team USA in the 2013 Futures Game at Citi Field as a member of the Mets farm system
• Originally signed by Blue Jays scout Steve Miller in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft
