CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
Cubs vs. Brewers
The Cubs and Brewers play four series totaling 13 games … the clubs met in Chicago on Opening Weekend, March 30-April 2, with Milwaukee taking two of three games … Chicago last season was 10-9 against the Brewers, its first season series victory over Milwaukee since going 11-9 in 2018.
IT’S BEEN A WHILE, MILWAUKEE: The Chicago Cubs today begin a seven-game road trip leading up to the All-Star Break with the first of four games in Milwaukee … Chicago last played in Milwaukee from Aug. 26-28, 2022 … following these four games against the Brewers, the club travels to New York for a three-game set against the Yankees to close out the “first half.”
Chicago yesterday wrapped up a six-game homestand at 1-5 against Philadelphia (0-3) and Cleveland (1-2).
This is the seventh contest (1-5) of 13-straight gamedays leading into the AllStar break.
The Cubs are 12-8 in their last 20 games since June 9 and find themselves 6.0-games back of the N.L. Central Division-leading Reds and Brewers (45-39).
Chicago is two-games over .500 (16-14) in its last 30 games starting May 29.
The Cubs are the only N.L. Central Division club with a positive run differential (+24) … Pittsburgh is at -37, St. Louis -24, Cincinnati -20 and Milwaukee -16.
Cubs hitters have coaxed at least one walk in each of the team’s last 58 games since April 28 … the last time Chicago had a longer such streak was a 106-game run that spanned from July 22, 2019-Sept. 8, 2020.
HE’S A WINNER!: Dansby Swanson’s 2.8 WAR are the most among N.L. shortstops and third among all shortstops, according to Fangraphs … Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco has a 3.7 WAR to pace the position, while Bo Bichette’s 3.0 WAR ranks second.
Swanson is hitting .275 (46-for-167) with a .339 OBP in 41 games at Wrigley Field … he hit .261 (24-for-92) in June after batting .248 (28-for-113) in May …Swanson has hit .292 (21-for-72) with RISP, with an .851 OPS in that situation.
SAVED BY THE BELL-INGER: Cody Bellinger last night extended his hitting streak to eight games (12-for-29/.414), tying season-high eight-game run from April 10-18 … his .414 average since June 24 is tied for the fourth-highest average in the N.L. and tied for seventh in the majors.
In 14 games since being activated from the injured list on June 15, Bellinger is hitting .292 (14-for-48) with three doubles and three RBI.
NINTH INNING MAGIC: The Cubs last night scored four runs in the ninth inning, erasing a 6-2 deficit to send the game to extra innings … the rally marked the first time that the Cubs have scored at least four runs in the ninth to tie or take the lead since they scored six to turn a 6-1 deficit into a 7-6 win on July 20, 2021 at St. Louis.
NICKY HOMERS: Nick Madrigal on Friday hit his first home run as a member of the Cubs and homered for the first time since June 4, 2021 vs. Detroit with the White Sox … the home run snapped a 368 at-bat homerless drought, which was the fourth-longest active streak in the major leagues (source: Elias).
In 16 games since June 11, is hitting .353 (18-for-51) with four doubles, one home run, six RBI and a .421 on-base percentage … his season average has gone up 40 points in his last 16 contests, from .235 to his current .275 mark.
NICO AT THE DISH: Nico Hoerner in his last 20 games since June 9 is batting .310 (26-for-84) with five doubles, two triples, one homer and 16 RBI and four stolen bases.
Hoerner leads the Cubs with 42 RBI this season, seventh-most among major league second basemen … the last time a primary second baseman finished the season leading the Cubs in RBI was in 2018 when Javier Baéz drove in 111 RBI.
STARTING STUFF: Cubs starting pitchers have posted a 4.01 ERA (195 ER/438.0 IP) this season, the third-best mark among N.L. starting rotations and seventh-best in the majors … the rotation’s 51 home runs allowed are tied for the fifth-lowest total in the majors, while the 1.21 WHIP is sixth.
Justin Steele’s 2.43 ERA is the lowest among N.L. qualified pitchers, while Marcus Stroman’s 2.76 ERA ranks fourth.
Chicago has tallied 37 quality starts, the second-most in the N.L. and seventh in baseball.
WHAT A RELIEF!: The Cubs bullpen has a 1.06 ERA (7 ER/59.1 IP) in the team’s last 17 games since June 13 … in that span, the ‘pen has pitched to a 0.94 WHIP, walking 17 and striking out 62 … during the run, the bullpen’s 1.06 ERA is the lowest in the majors by almost a full run (Phillies are second – 2.04) … Chicago’s bullpen pitched to a 2.42 ERA (21 ER/78.0 IP) in June, the lowest ERA in the major leagues during the month.
Adbert Alzolay has posted a 1.33 ERA (3 ER/20.1 IP) in his last 17 games since May 6, walking three, striking out 19 and posting a 0.84 WHIP.
Michael Fulmer has allowed one earned run in his last 14 appearances since May 28, tossing 15.0 innings with a 0.93 WHIP (0.60 ERA).
Julian Merryweather since April 17 has pitched to a 0.93 ERA (3 ER/29.0 IP) with one win and allowed 24 hits and 14 walks with 43 strikeouts in 30 appearances … his 0.93 ERA ranks second in the N.L. and fourth in the majors (min. 25 G).
Mark Leiter Jr. has averaged 12.83 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (48 SO/33.2 IP),
the eighth-best mark among N.L. relievers (min. 25 appearances).
Starting Pitcher – #11 LHP Drew Smyly (7-5, 3.96)
Last Time Out
Drew suffered his fifth loss of the season June 28 vs. Philadelphia, allowing a season-high-tying nine hits and a season-high seven earned runs … tossed his second-fewest amount of innings this season… has allowed one or fewer walks in eight of his 16 starts … has suffered the loss in four of his last six starts.
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
6/28 PHI L, 5-8 3.2 9 7 7 1 2 86-58 1-6, 1 on
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 3-2 5.36 8 8 40.1 39 24 24 11 39
Road 4-3 2.74 8 8 46.0 45 18 14 16 32
AVG vs. LHB: .306 (22-for-72) / AVG vs. RHB: .237 (62-for-262)
Drew is scheduled to make his 17th start of the season today, his ninth at Wrigley Field … has a 7.36 ERA (12 ER/14.2 IP) in his last three outings after starting the season with a 3.27 ERA (26 ER/71.2 IP) in his first 13 starts … in three career starts against the Brewers (15.0 IP), has given up just one run, pitching to a 0.60 ERA … opposing batters are hitting .205 (36-for-176) with 53 strikeouts against his curveball.
Completed his 1000th career inning in the first inning May 28 vs. Cincinnati.
Allowed two-or-fewer runs in nine-straight starts from April 10-May 27, posting a 2.13 ERA (12 ER/50.2 IP) during the run, the fourth-lowest ERA in the majors (min. 9 GS).
April 21 vs. Los Angeles (N.L.) retired the first 21 batters of the game, becoming the first Cub to take a perfect game bid into the eighth inning since José Guzmán (April 6, 1993 vs. Atlanta) … was the first Cub to record a start of 7.0-plus innings with one hit, no runs, no walks and at least 10 strikeouts since Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout game (May 6, 1998 vs. Houston).
Went 0-2 with a 6.06 ERA (11 ER/16.1 IP) with a 13:2 SO:BB ratio during Cactus League play.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:
Today’s Transactions
INF Brian Anderson was placed on the paternity list to join his wife, Alex, as they plan to induce a baby boy….. free-agent INF Jahmai Jones was signed to a 1-year contract and active.
End of the Road (Trip)
The Brewers completed a 7-3 road trip yesterday to CLE (2-1), NYM (3-1) and PIT (2-1), the seventh 10-game trip in franchise history with at least 7 wins and second such trip in 2023.
Dates/Opponents Record
7/5-7/17, 1988 (KC/MIN/TEX) ………………..8-2
8/10-8/19, 2021 (CHC/PIT/STL) …………….8-2
5/27-6/6, 1982 (CAL/SEA/OAK)…………… 7-3
7/1-7/13, 1983 (CLE/CWS/TEX) …………….. 7-3
5/10-5/20, 2018 (COL/ARI/MIN) ………….. 7-3
4/10-4/19, 2023 (ARI/SD/SEA) …………..7-3
6/23-7/2, 2023 (CLE/NYM/PIT) ………….7-3
Central Intelligence
The Brewers are in a 13-game stretch (2-1) during which the team takes on NL Central opponents: at PIT (2-1), vs. CHC (4g), vs. CIN (3g) and at CIN (3g).
Devin on Earth
Devin Williams is an All-Star for the second straight season…..a look at the All-Star relievers in franchise history:
Reliever ASG
Josh Hader ………….4 (2018-19, ’21-22)
Dan Plesac ……………………….3 (1987-89)
Devin Williams ………………2 (2022-23)
Francisco Rodríguez ……….2 (2014-15)
Rollie Fingers ……………………2 (1981-82)
Jeremy Jeffress …………………….1 (2018)
Corey Knebel ………………………….. 1 (2017)
Trevor Hoffman ……………………..1 (2009)
Francisco Cordero ……………….. 1 (2007)
Derrick Turnbow ……………………1 (2006)
Dan Kolb………………………………….1 (2004)
Bob Wickman …………………………1 (2000)
Rebel Yeli
Since June 6, Christian Yelich has hit .330 (29-for-88) with 3 HR and 15 RBI in 23 games while he has produced a .427 OBP/.568 SLG/.995 OPS.
Take Me To Your Leader
Christian Yelich is the team leader in runs (59 – 8th in NL), hits (81), walks (43 – 9th in NL), SB (18 – T5th in NL), doubles (17), RBI (40), total bases (130), extra-base hits (28), OBP (.370), SLG (.438) and OPS (.808).
The Brice Is Right
Rookie infielder Brice Turang has yet to commit an error in 213 total chances (186 at 2B/27 at SS).
TODAY’S GAME: Is game 1 of a 7-game homestand against Chicago-NL (4g) and Cincinnati (3g) leading into the All-Star break…..following the break, the team embarks
on a 6-game, 7-day road trip to Cincinnati (3g) and Philadelphia (3g).
IN THE TRAINER’S ROOM: RHP Jason Alexander (right rotator cuff), LHP Aaron Ashby (left labrum), RHP Jake Cousins (right shoulder), OF Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder), 1B Darin Ruf (right knee), LHP Bennett Sousa (left shoulder), OF Tyrone Taylor (right elbow), LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow) and RHP Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder) are on the injured list…..Alexander, Ashby, Mitchell, Ruf, Wilson and Woodruff are on the 60-day injured list.
IN THE STANDINGS (95 days): The Brewers have spent the following number of days alone or tied at each position in the NL Central standings: FIRST: 56, SECOND: 37, THIRD: 2, FOURTH: 0, FIFTH: 0…..the team is currently tied with the Reds for first place.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 14-13-0 in series play.
Game 1: 12-15, Game 2: 16-11, Game 3: 14-12, Game 4: 3-1
Sweep Wins (4): vs. NYM (3g, 4/3-4/5), at SEA (3g, 4/17-4/19), vs. KC (3g, 5/12-5/14), vs. PIT (3g, 6/16-6/18)
Sweep Losses (3): at COL (3g, 5/2-5/4), vs. OAK (3g, 6/9-6/11), at MIN (2g, 6/13-6/14)
AT HOME: The Brewers are 22-18 at home, going 7-6-0 in series play…..the Brewers went 46-35 at home last season, going 15-8-4 in series play.
ON THE ROAD: The Brewers are 23-21 on the road, going 7-7-0 in series play…..the team went 40-41 on the road last season, going 9-12-5 in series play.
LET’S GO TO THE VIDEO TAPE: The Brewers have made 16 replay challenges this season, going 7-9…..their last challenge (lost) came on 6/25 at Cleveland as an out call at first base on a pickoff attempt of Blake Perkins stood.
TONIGHT’S STARTER: #49 – RHP JULIO TEHERAN (7gs, 2-3, 2.85)
TEHERAN AT A GLANCE: Julio Teheran, 32, will be making his eighth start of the 2023 season…..Teheran last started last Tuesday at New York-NL and took a 7-2 defeat (5.2ip, 7h, 7r, 7er, 0bb, 2k, 4hr, 1hbp, 1bk, 87 pitches)…..he allowed 4 HR in a game for the second time in his career (also 4/17/15 at Toronto)…..the team is 2-5 in his starts….. he has 4 quality starts…..opponents are batting .208 (30-for-144, 7hr)…..the team has scored 13 runs in his 7 starts (1.86 rpg)…..he signed with Milwaukee as a free agent on May 25 after opting out of his contract with San Diego on May 22…..after pitching in the Atlantic League and Mexican League last season, Teheran signed with San Diego in December as a non-roster invitee…..he went 4-2 with a 5.63 ERA in 8 starts at Triple-A El Paso this season (40ip, 51h, 26r, 25er, 16bb, 45k, 7hr)…..he was born and resides in Cartagena, Colombia…..name is pronounced “teh-RON.”
WELCOME BACK: Prior to his Brewers debut on 5/25 vs. San Francisco, Teheran had not pitched in the majors since a start and win with Detroit on 4/3/21 vs. Cleveland.
LAST SEASON: Teheran began his 2022 season with the Staten Island FerryHawks of the independent Atlantic League and went 1-1 with a 1.60 ERA in 6 starts…..he held
opponents to a .198 batting average with 35 strikeouts in 33.2 innings…..he then pitched in the Mexican League for Toros de Tijuana (6gs) and Sultanes de Monterrey (1gs), going a combined 4-2 with a 4.41 ERA in 7 starts…..he had 35 strikeouts in 32.2 innings in the Mexican League.
CAREER: Is 80-80 with a 3.78 ERA in 247 games/243 starts (1437.1ip, 603er)…..is in his 12th Major League season with Atlanta (2011-19), Los Angeles-AL (2020), Detroit (2021) and Milwaukee (2023)…..the two-time All-Star (2014 and 2016) made 30+ starts in seven consecutive seasons from 2013-19…..he was the Braves’ Opening Day starter in six straight seasons from 2014-19.
CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 1-3 with a 2.34 ERA in 7 starts (42.1ip, 11er)…..is 1-1 with a 1.57 ERA in 4 starts this season (23ip, 4er).
CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 41-43 with a 3.96 ERA in 117 games/115 starts (683.1ip, 301er)…..is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 3 starts this season (18ip, 9er).
CAREER vs. CUBS: Is 3-2 with a 4.14 ERA in 10 starts (58.2ip, 27er)…..he last faced the Cubs on 6/24/19 at Wrigley Field as a member of the Braves and took an 8-3 defeat (4ip, 9h, 7r, 7er, 3bb, 2k, 1hr, 1hbp).
