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.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!: The Chicago Cubs look to snap a three-game losing streak with a July 4 matinee against the Milwaukee Brewers … Chicago yesterday dropped the opening contest of a four-game set in Milwaukee, 8-6 … the Cubs jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the third inning, before surrendering eight-straight runs … the game marked the first time the Cubs have lost when leading by at least six runs since Sept. 16, 2021 at Philadelphia (up 7-0, lost 17-8).
Chicago is 122-100-3 all-time on Independence Day, with the club’s last win on July 4 coming in 2019 vs. Pittsburgh.
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 has dropped seven of eight games since June 25 following a stretch in which it went 11-2 in 13 contests from June 9-24.
This is the eighth contest (1-6) of 13-straight gamedays leading into the All-Star break.
The Cubs are the only N.L. Central Division club with a positive run differential (+22) … Pittsburgh is at -40, St. Louis -25, Cincinnati -19 and Milwaukee -14.
Cubs hitters have coaxed at least one walk in each of the team’s last 59 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 2.9 WAR are the most among N.L. shortstops and tied for second (with Toronto’s Bo Bichette) among all shortstops, according to Fangraphs … Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco has a 3.7 WAR to pace the position.
Swanson is hitting .275 (46-for-167) with a .339 OBP in 41 games at Wrigley Field … he has hit .288 (21-for-73) with RISP, with an .840 OPS in that situation.
Since June 11, Swanson is batting .278 (20-for-72) with two doubles, three home runs, nine RBI and a .772 OPS in 18 games.
SAVED BY THE BELL-INGER: Cody Bellinger yesterday extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games (13-for-33/.394), his longest run since also hitting safely in nine-straight from Sept. 15-24, 2020 … his .394 average since June 24 is tied for the fifth-highest mark in the N.L.
In 15 games since being activated from the injured list on June 15, Bellinger is hitting .288 (15-for-52) with three doubles and four RBI.
FULMER’S SHOW: Michael Fulmer yesterday tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, his most in a relief appearance since going 2.2 innings May 8, 2021 vs. Minnesota (with Detroit) … Fulmer yesterday also had his first plate appearance in exactly five years … his previous one came on July 3, 2018 at Wrigley Field as a member of the Tigers.
Fulmer in 15 games since May 28 has pitched to a 0.52 ERA (1 ER/17.1 IP), 0.92 WHIP and a .151 average against (8-for-53), while allowing no earned runs in 14 of those games … since May 28, his 0.52 ERA is the lowest among major league relievers (min. 15.0 IP).
NICO AT THE DISH: Nico Hoerner in his last 21 games since June 9 is batting .292 (26-for-89) with six doubles, two triples, one homer and 16 RBI and five 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.
NINTH INNING MAGIC: The Cubs on Sunday 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.
STARTING STUFF: Cubs starting pitchers have posted a 4.01 ERA (197 ER/441.2 IP) this season, the third-best mark among N.L. starting rotations and eighth-best in the majors … the rotation’s 51 home runs allowed are tied for the fourth-lowest total in the majors, while the 1.22 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 1.70 ERA (12 ER/63.2 IP) in the team’s last 17 games since June 13 … during the run, the bullpen’s 1.70 ERA is the lowest in the majors.
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.
Julian Merryweather since April 17 has pitched to a 1.82 ERA (6 ER/29.2 IP) with one win and allowed 25 hits and 16 walks with 43 strikeouts in 31 appearances … his 1.82 ERA ranks eighth in the N.L. during the span (min. 25 G).
Mark Leiter Jr. has averaged 12.86 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (50 SO/35.0 IP), the eighth-best mark among N.L. relievers (min. 30 G).
Starting Pitcher – #28 RHP Kyle Hendricks (3-3, 2.81)
Last Time Out
Kyle had his three-start winning streak snapped June 29 vs. Philadelphia … pitched 7.0 innings, allowing a season-high-tying six hits and three runs while walking zero batters … gave up the third game-opening home run of his career (last, June 10, 2018 vs. PIT to Josh Harrison) … has not allowed more than three runs in a start this season … has posted a quality start in four of his last five outings … has allowed just four walks across his last four starts (26.1 IP).
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
6/29 PHI L, 1-3 7.0 6 3 3 0 4 85-62 1-3
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 1-2 3.80 4 4 21.1 23 11 9 5 13
Road 2-1 1.77 3 3 20.1 8 7 4 4 9
AVG vs. LHB: .189 (17-for-90) / AVG vs. RHB: .219 (14-for-64)
Kyle will make his eighth start of the 2023 campaign, his fourth on the road … has a 2.05 ERA (6 ER/26.1 IP) in his last four starts dating to June 10 at San Francisco … will make his 32nd career start against the Brewers, his most against any opponent in the majors … has struck out more Brewers (158) than any other team in his career by 38 batters (2nd, Reds, 120) … has held opponents to a .140 average (12- for-86) with 17 strikeouts against his changeup.
June 10 in San Francisco, carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning … the 7.2 IP no-hit bid was the second-longest of his career (Sept. 12, 2016 at St. Louis, 8.0 IP).
Became the 12th pitcher in Cubs history to pitch for the Cubs in at least 10 season (last Kerry Wood).
Made his season debut May 25 vs. Mets (3 ER/4.1 IP), his first major league start since July 5, 2022.
Made five rehab starts with Triple-A Iowa, going 2-1 with a 5.75 ERA (13 ER/20.1 IP) … allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last three rehab starts, posting a 1.69 ERA (3 ER/16.0 IP) during those outings.
Began the season on the 15-day injured list, as he rehabbed from a capsular tear in his right shoulder that he suffered in July 2022.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:
Star-Spangled Bummer
The Brewers have gone 20-32 (.385) all-time on The Fourth of July, the fourth-lowest winning percentage among current MLB franchises behind Tampa Bay, Colorado and
Toronto…..the team won last season on July 4th (against the Cubs).
Team Record
Tampa Bay …………………………9-15 (.375)
Colorado …………………………….11-18 (.379)
Toronto ……………………………..16-26 (.381)
Milwaukee ……………………20-32 (.385)
Central Intelligence
The Brewers are in a 13-game stretch (3-1) during which the team takes on NL Central opponents: at PIT (2-1), vs. CHC (1-0), vs. CIN (3g) and at CIN (3g).
Gotcha Again!
The Brewers came back from a 6-0 deficit yesterday to beat the Cubs, 8-6…..the 6-run comeback was the team’s largest come-from-behind win since 6/30/21, when they came back from a 7-0 disadvantage to win, 15-7, also against the Cubs in Milwaukee.
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)
A Slice of Devin
Devin Williams has posted a sterling 1.47 ERA this season (30.2ip, 5er)….. he surrendered 4 runs without retiring a batter in his lone blown save on 6/13 at Minnesota…..without that outing, his ERA drops to 0.29 (30.2ip, 1er).
Rebel Yeli
Since June 6, Christian Yelich has hit .359 (33-for-92) with 22 runs, 3 HR and 16 RBI in 24 games while sporting a .454 OBP/.609 SLG/1.062 OPS.
Take Me To Your Leader
Christian Yelich ranks among the NL leaders in runs (5th, 62), SB (T5th, 19), walks (T8th, 44) and OBP (9th, .379) and also leads the team in hits (85), doubles (17), RBI (41), TB (136), XBH (29), SLG (.452) and OPS (.831).
TODAY’S GAME: Is game 2 (1-0) of a 7-game homestand against Chicago-NL (1-0) 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 (96 days): The Brewers have spent the following number of days alone or tied at each position in the NL Central standings: FIRST: 57, 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: 13-15, 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 23-18 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: #20 – LHP WADE MILEY (11gs, 5-2, 3.02)
MILEY AT A GLANCE: Wade Miley, 36, is making his 12th start of the season and first against the Cubs…..Miley last started last Wednesday at New York-NL and received no decision in the 5-2 win (4ip, 3h, 2r, 2er, 3bb, 3k, 1hr, 74 pitches)…..the team is 8-3 in his starts…..he has 5 quality starts…..opponents are batting .219 (46-for-210, 7hr)…..he was on the 15-day injured list from 5/17-6/16 with a left lat strain…..he has gone 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in 3 starts since coming off the IL (15ip, 2er)…..Miley signed as a free agent with Milwaukee on January 9…..he is signed through the 2023 season with a mutual option for 2024.
WELCOME BACK!: Miley returned to Milwaukee, where he pitched in 2018 for the National League Central champions and went 5-2 with a 2.57 ERA in 16 starts…..he went on to make 4 starts during the postseason, posting a 1.23 ERA (14.2ip, 2er), as the team went on to advance to the seventh game of the NLCS against Los Angeles.
LAST SEASON: Miley went 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 9 games/8 starts with Chicago-NL last season…..he missed most of the season while spending time on the injured list on three occasions: 4/7-5/9 (left elbow inflammation), 5/29-6/9 (left shoulder strain) and 6/11-9/5 (left shoulder strain).
CAREER: Is 104-96 with a 4.09 ERA in 303 games/296 starts (1674.2ip, 761er)…..is in his 13th Major League season with Arizona (2011-14), Boston (2015), Seattle (2016), Baltimore (2016-17), Milwaukee (2018, ‘23), Houston (2019), Cincinnati (2020-21) and Chicago-NL (2022)…..was an All-Star with the Diamondbacks in 2012…..he threw a no-hitter with the Reds on 5/7/21 at Cleveland…..Miley was selected by Arizona in the supplemental first round (43rd overall) of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Southeastern Louisiana University.
CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 7-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 17 starts (80.2ip, 35er)…..is 3-1 with a 3.33 ERA in 5 starts this season (27ip, 10er).
CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 50-51 with a 3.96 ERA in 161 games/159 starts (893ip, 393er)…..is 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 6 starts this season (29.2ip, 9er).
CAREER vs. CUBS: Is 9-4 with a 3.84 ERA in 16 starts (96ip, 41er)…..he pitched for the Cubs last season…..he faced Chicago five times in 2021, going 3-0 with a 2.40 ERA (30ip, 31h, 8r, 8er, 9bb, 23k, 3hr).
