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.
FLYING THE W IN MILWAUKEE: The Chicago Cubs yesterday pulled out a 7-6, 11-inning win after relinquishing leads of 4-0 and 6-2 … Ian Happ threw out baserunners at the plate in both the 10th and 11th innings, the latter ending the game, while Nico Hoerner drove in the game-winning run with a RBI single in the 11th … reliever Daniel Palencia made his major league debut with 2.0 shutout frames in extra innings to earn the win, allowing just one hit while walking none.
Chicago is in game three (1-1) of a seven-game road trip to end the “first half” … following these four games against the Brewers, the club travels to New York for a three-game set against the Yankees.
Chicago has dropped seven of nine games since June 25 following a stretch in which it went 11-2 in 13 contests from June 9-24.
This is the ninth contest (2-6) 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 (+23) … Pittsburgh is at -38, St. Louis -38, Cincinnati -15 and Milwaukee -15.
Cubs hitters have coaxed at least one walk in each of the team’s last 60 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.
MAN OF STEELE: Today’s starting pitcher, Justin Steele, is 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA (3 ER/17.1 IP) in his three starts since being activated from the injured list June 7 (left forearm strain) … Steele’s three-start winning streak is his second-longest of the season (4 G, April 8-25).
Overall this season, Steele’s 2.43 ERA (23 ER/85.1 IP) is the lowest among qualified N.L. pitchers.
In his last 22 starts since July 22, 2022, Steele’s 1.99 ERA (27 ER/122.0 IP) is the lowest in the major leauges (min. 22 GS) … he has allowed three runs or fewer in 19 of those outings.
HAPP-Y ENDING: Ian Happ yesterday recorded two outfield assists at home plate, one in the 10th and one in the 11th, to save the Cubs’ 7-6 win … ESPN Stats & Info noted that Happ became the first player with two outfield assists in extra innings in the same game since Endy Chavez did so for the Mets against the GIants, June 4, 2006.
Yesterday marked the second time in Happ’s career that he has had two outfield assists in the same game (also Sept. 19, 2020 vs. Minnesota).
Happ’s seven outfield assists this season are tied for the second-most in the N.L. and tied for the fourth-most in the majors.
DANIEL’S DANDY DEBUT: Daniel Palencia made his major league debut yesterday, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings in the 10th and 11th, earning his first career win … Palencia is the fourth Cubs reliever since 2000 to earn a win in his major league debut (last Hayden Wesneski, Sept. 6, 2022 vs. Cincinnati).
Thanks to two double plays, Ed Hartig notes that Palencia is the third Cubs pitcher since 1903 to record six outs while only facing four batters (also Duane Underwood Jr. – July 29, 2020 at Cincinnati and John Andre – Game 2 on June 12, 1955 at Brooklyn).
HE’S A (DOUBLE DIGIT) WINNER!: Dansby Swanson’s 3.0 WAR are the most among N.L. shortstops and second among all shortstops, according to Fangraphs … Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco has a 3.7 WAR to pace the position.
Swanson yesterday hit his 10th home run of the campaign … since 2018, Swanson has reached double-digits in home runs in six-straight seasons, joining Xander Bogaerts as the only shortstops in the major leagues to accomplish the feat.
Since June 11, Swanson is batting .282 (22-for-78) with two doubles, four home runs, 10 RBI and an .803 OPS in 18 games.
SAVED BY THE BELL-INGER: Cody Bellinger yesterday extended his hitting streak to a season-high 10 games (15-for-37/.405), his longest run since his career-high-tying 12-game streak from May 24-June 5, 2019 … his .405 average since June 24 is tied for the fourth-highest mark in the N.L. (min. 30 AB).
Bellinger’s 10-game hitting streak is the second-longest by a Cub this season (Christopher Morel – 13 games, May 9-24).
In 16 games since being activated from the injured list on June 15, Bellinger is hitting .304 (17-for-56) with three doubles and five RBI.
STARTING STUFF: Cubs starting pitchers have posted a 3.98 ERA (198 ER/447.2 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 fewest 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.
Kyle Hendricks is 3-1 with 1.95 ERA (7 ER/32.1 IP) in his last five starts since June 10 … his 1.95 ERA since June 10 is the seventh-lowest mark in the N.L.
Chicago has tallied 38 quality starts, the second-most in the N.L. and seventh in baseball.
WHAT A RELIEF!: The Cubs bullpen has a 2.10 ERA (16 ER/68.2 IP) in the team’s last 19 games since June 13, the second-lowest mark in the majors in that span.
Julian Merryweather since April 17 has pitched to a 1.76 ERA (6 ER/30.2 IP) with one win and allowed 26 hits and 17 walks with 45 strikeouts in 32 appearances … his 1.76 ERA ranks eighth in the N.L. during the span (min. 25 G).
Michael Fulmer in 15 games since May 28 has pitched to a 0.52 ERA (1 ER/17.1 IP) … since May 28, his 0.52 ERA is the lowest among major league relievers (min. 15.0 IP).
Starting Pitcher – #35 LHP Justin Steele (9-2, 2.43)
Last Time Out
Justin won his third straight-start June 30 vs. Cleveland, tossing his third outing of the year in which he pitched 6.0 innings or more and allowed zero runs … is 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA (3 ER/17.1 IP) in three starts since being activated from the injured list June 17 … has completed at least 6.0 innings in 11 of his 15 starts this season … tied his season-low in hits allowed (min. 3.1 IP in a start).
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
6/30 CLE W, 10-1 6.1 3 0 0 1 6 96-65 9-0, 1 on
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 6-1 2.23 9 9 48.1 41 13 12 12 38
Road 3-1 2.68 6 6 37.0 28 13 11 7 38
AVG vs. LHB: .194 (13-for-67) / AVG vs. RHB: .229 (56-for-245)
Justin is scheduled to make his 16th start of the 2023 season today, his seventh on the road … has posted a 1.99 ERA (27 ER/122.0 IP) since July 22, 2022, which is the lowest ERA in the majors by 42 points during the run (min. 22 GS) … his 2.43 ERA in 2023 is the lowest in the majors among qualified starting pitchers … has not allowed a home run via his four-seam fastball since April 14 at the Dodgers (554 pitches, which is the longest active streak in the majors among any pitch thrown … h/t Alex Chamberlain, FanGraphs) … opposing batters are hitting .171 (18-for-105) with 32 strikeouts off his slider.
Started the Cubs’ first game in London, June 24 vs. St. Louis, earning the win (1 ER/6.0 IP).
Posted a 53.0-inning stretch without allowing a home run from April 14-June 17, which was the longest active streak in the majors.
Left his start May 31 vs. Tampa Bay after 3.0 perfect innings with left forearm tightness … was placed on the injured list June 3 (retroactive to June 1) and was activated June 17.
Had a 17-start streak of allowing three earned runs or fewer at Wrigley Field from April 24, 2022-May 10, 2023 … pitched to a 2.20 ERA (23 ER/94.0 IP) during the run … his 2.20 home ERA during the stretch was the third-lowest in the N.L.
Went eight starts before suffering his first loss of the season May 16 in Houston … allowed a season-high five runs in the outing … at the time of his first loss, was the only pitcher in the N.L. with at least six wins and zero losses.
Allowed two or fewer earned runs in 14-straight starts from July 22, 2022-May 5, 2023, tied for the second-longest stretch in Cubs franchise history (since 1901), behind Jack Taylor’s streak of 15 games June 13-Aug. 14, 1902 (tied with Jake Arrieta, 14 G, 7/30/15-4/4/16).
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.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:
Today’s Transactions
INF/OF Brian Anderson has been reinsated from the paternity list…..the team has recalled RHP Tyson Miller and selected RHP J.C. Mejía from Triple-A Nashville…..LHP Clayton Andrews and RHP JB Bukauskas were optioned to Triple-A Nashville….. the team has placed 1B Rowdy Tellez on the 10-day injured list with right forearm inflammation and designated INF Mike Brosseau for assignment….. LHP Thomas Pannone was released.
Best MLB Records (Since June 16)
Team Record
Atlanta ………………………………..14-2 (.875)
Cincinnati ……………………………13-4 (.765)
Milwaukee ……………………… 12-6 (.667)
Miami ………………………………….12-6 (.667)
Philadelphia ……………………….10-5 (.667)
Central Intelligence
The Brewers are in a 13-game stretch (3-2) during which the team takes on NL Central opponents: at PIT (2-1), vs. CHC (1-1), 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)
Power & Speed
Christian Yelich recorded his 20th stolen base of the season yesterday to go along with his 10 homers…..he is one of just six players in the majors with 10+ HR and 20+ SB, joining Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL), Corbin Carroll (ARI), Wander Franco (TB), Julio Rodríguez (SEA) and Bobby Witt Jr. (KC).
Rebel Yeli
Since June 6, Christian Yelich has hit .361 (35-for-97) with 23 runs, 3 HR and 17 RBI in 25 games while sporting a .451 OBP/.598 SLG/1.049 OPS.
Take Me To Your Leader
Christian Yelich ranks among the NL leaders in SB (T4th, 20), runs (6th, 63), walks (T8th, 44) and OBP (9th, .380) and also leads the team in hits (87), doubles (17), RBI (42), TB (138), XBH (29), SLG (.451) and OPS (.831).
TONIGHT’S GAME: Is game 3 (1-1) of a 7-game homestand against Chicago-NL (1-1) 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), 1B Rowdy Tellez (right forearm), 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 (97 days): The Brewers have spent the following number of days alone or tied at each position in the NL Central standings: FIRST: 57, SECOND: 38, THIRD: 2, FOURTH: 0, FIFTH: 0…..the team is currently in second place, trailing the first-place Reds by 1.0 game.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 14-13-0 in series play.
Game 1: 13-15, Game 2: 16-12, 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 23-19 at home, going 7-6-0 in series play…..the team 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 19 replay challenges this season, going 7-12…..their last challenge (lost) came on 7/4 vs. Chicago-NL as a collision rule, out at home plate, and out at second base were all confirmed.
TONIGHT’S STARTER: #37 – RHP ADRIAN HOUSER (10g, 8gs, 3-2, 3.88)
HOUSER AT A GLANCE: Adrian Houser, 30, will be making his 11th appearance and ninth start of the season…..Houser last started last Thursday at New York-NL and earned a 3-2 win (6ip, 7h, 2r, 2er, 1bb, 5k, 2hr, 89 pitches)…..the team is 5-3 in his starts…..he has 3 quality starts…..opponents are batting .298 (56-for-188, 5hr)…..Houser began the season on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain…..he was sent to Triple-A Nashville on rehab assignment on April 14, where he made 4 starts…..he was acquired from Houston, along with LHP Josh Hader, OF Brett Phillips and OF Domingo Santana, in exchange for OF Carlos Gómez, RHP Mike Fiers and International Signing Bonus Slot #76 on 7/30/15.
LAST SEASON: Houser went 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA in 22 games/21 starts last season…..the team went 9-12 in his starts…..he made 6 quality starts…..opponents batted .258….. he posted a 2.98 ERA over his first 8 starts of the season (42.1ip, 14er) and a 6.17 ERA over his last 13 starts (58.1ip, 40er)…..he was on the 15-day injured list from 7/1-8/23 with a right flexor strain and from 9/28 through the remainder of the season with a right groin strain.
CAREER: Is 26-31 with a 3.97 ERA in 116 games/84 starts (474.1ip, 209er)…..is in his seventh Major League season, all with the Brewers (2015, 2018-23)…..has gone 21-31 with a 4.29 ERA as a starter (413ip, 197er) and 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA in relief (61.1ip, 12er)…..underwent “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow on 7/21/16.
CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 9-15 with a 3.56 ERA in 58 games/40 starts (230ip, 91er)…..is 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA in 4 games/3 starts this season (17.1ip, 9er).
CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 17-16 with a 4.35 ERA in 58 games/44 starts (244.1ip, 118er)…..is 2-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 6 games/5 starts this season (29ip, 11er).
CAREER vs. CUBS: Is 2-2 with a 4.54 ERA in 11 games/6 starts (35.2ip, 18er)…..has gone 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA against the Cubs as a starter (28ip, 16er).
