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.
JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME: The Chicago Cubs last night rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to record their second-straight win, 4-3, over Milwaukee … Mike Tauchman delivered a two-out, two-run double to tie the game in the ninth and then scored on a throwing error the following batter … Michael Rucker (0 ER/2.0 IP) earned the win and Adbert Alzolay notched his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.
Chicago is in game four (2-1) of a seven-game road trip to end the “first half” … following today’s game against the Brewers, the club travels to New York for a three-game set against the Yankees.
Chicago is 3-7 in its last 10 games since June 25 following a stretch in which it went 11-2 in 13 contests from June 9-24.
This is the 10th contest (3-6) 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 (+24) … Pittsburgh is at -40, St. Louis -39, Milwaukee -16 and Cincinnati -8.
Cubs hitters have coaxed at least one walk in each of the team’s last 61 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.
THE STRO-SHOW IN MILWUAKEE: Marcus Stroman takes the mound in Milwaukee today, looking to snap a two-game losing streak … Stroman is 3-1 with a 2.01 ERA (9 ER/40.1 IP) in six career starts vs. Milwaukee, inlcuding 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA (4 ER/12.2 IP) in two starts at American Family Field.
Stroman tossed 6.0 scoreless innings against the Brewers in the Cubs’ 4-0 win on Opening Day this season at Wrigley Field.
Stroman recorded seven-straight quality starts from May 19-June 20 before departing his June 25 start in London with a blister (3.1 IP) and then going 5.2 innings (5 ER) in his last outing July 1 vs. Cleveland.
THE COMEBACK CUBS: The Cubs yesterday scored three runs in the ninth inning to turn a 3-1 deficit in to a 4-3 win … the victory marked Chicago’s first when trailing entering the ninth inning this season (1-39).
ESPN Stats & Info points out that the Cubs had lost 112 consecutive games in which they trailed by multiple runs in the ninth inning or later, which was the second-longest active streak in the majors.
HE’S A (DOUBLE DIGIT) WINNER!: Dansby Swanson’s 2.9 WAR are the most among N.L. shortstops and tied for second among all shortstops (with Bo Bichette), according to
Fangraphs … Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco has a 3.9 WAR to pace the position.
Swanson on Tuesday 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.
SAVED BY THE BELL-INGER: Cody Bellinger yesterday extended his hitting streak to a season-high 11 games (17-for-41/.415), one game shy of his two career-high 12-game hitting streaks, last done May 24-June 5, 2019 … his .415 average since June 24 is tied for the third-highest mark in the N.L. and tied for fifth in the majors (min. 30 AB).
Bellinger’s 11-game hitting streak is the second-longest by a Cub this season (Christopher Morel – 13 games, May 9-24).
In 17 games since being activated from the injured list on June 15, Bellinger is hitting .317 (19-for-60) with three doubles and five RBI.
AMONG THE BEST: The Cubs are the only team in the major leagues in 2023 to sport three starting pitchers (min. 8 GS) with ERAs below 3.00 (Justin Steele – 2.56, Kyle Hendricks – 2.64 and Marcus Stroman – 2.76).
HAPP-Y ENDING: Ian Happ on Tuesday 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.
Tuesday 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 third-most in the N.L. and tied for the fifth-most in the majors.
STARTING STUFF: Cubs starting pitchers have posted a 3.99 ERA (201 ER/453.2 IP) this season, the third-best mark among N.L. starting rotations and eighth-best in
the majors … the rotation’s 52 home runs allowed are tied for the third-fewest in the majors, while the 1.21 WHIP is sixth.
Justin Steele’s 2.56 ERA is the third-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 39 quality starts, the second-most in the N.L. and seventh in baseball.
WHAT A RELIEF!: The Cubs bullpen has a 2.01 ERA (16 ER/71.2 IP) in the team’s last 20 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 third 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.
Starting Pitcher – #0 RHP Marcus Stroman (9-6, 2.76)
Last Time Out
Marcus suffered his second-straight loss July 1 vs. Cleveland … tossed 5.2 innings, allowing five earned runs, his second-highest mark of earned runs in 2023 (most, 6, May 14 at Minnesota … has suffered consecutive losses for the second time this season (also, May 8 vs. St. Louis and May 14 at Minnesota) … has allowed three earned runs or more in back-to-back starts for the first time this year.
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
7/1 CLE L, 0-6 5.2 5 5 5 2 7 94-55 0-2, 3 on
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 5-4 2.81 9 9 57.2 34 18 18 17 54
Road 4-2 2.70 9 9 50.0 46 19 15 20 38
AVG vs. LHB: .186 (40-for-215) / AVG vs. RHB: .227 (40-for-176)
Marcus is scheduled to make his team-high 19th start of the 2023 season today, his 10th on the road … dating to Aug. 30, 2022, has allowed two runs or fewer in 19
of his last 25 starts, pitching to a 2.59 ERA (43 ER/149.2 IP), the lowest ERA in the majors during that span by 28 points (min. 25 GS) … his 14 quality starts lead the major leagues this season and his 23 such outings since the All-Star break of last season are the most in the majors … his .186 average allowed (40-for-215) against left-handed hitters is the fourth-lowest among major league starters … his 2.76 ERA (33 ER/107.2 IP) is the fourth-lowest in the N.L. among qualified pitchers and eighth-lowest in the majors, while his .205 average against is the fourth-lowest in the majors among qualified pitchers … his 107.2 IP is tied for fifth in the N.L.
Started the Cubs’ second game in London vs. the Cardinals, suffering the loss (3 ER/3.1 IP) … left in the fourth inning with a blister on his right index finger.
Had a seven-start winning streak from May 19-June 20, the longest streak in the major leagues this season and longest in a single season since Justin Verlander also recorded a win in seven-straight starts, June 24-Aug. 4, 2022 … was the longest by a Cubs starting pitcher since Kyle Hendricks earned a win in eight-straight starts, May 16-June 22, 2021.
Was named the N.L. Player of the Week for May 29-June 4 … allowed one run (no earned runs) on five hits in 15.0 innings with 14 strikeouts in two starts during the week, earning a win in both outings.
May 29 vs. Tampa Bay tossed his second career complete game shutout (also Sept. 8, 2014 vs. Cubs), the Cubs first complete game since Alec Mills’ no-hitter, Sept. 13, 2020 at Milwaukee … took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning for the second time in his career (also July 24, 2014 vs. Boston).
Recorded his 1,000th career strikeout April 23 vs. Los Angeles (N.L.), retiring Freddie Freeman looking in the third inning.
Became the second Cubs starting pitcher since 1901 (also Jake Arrieta, 2016) with three outings of at least 6.0 scoreless innings in the team’s first 16 games.
Became the third Cubs starting pitcher since 1901 to allow two or fewer combined runs over his first four starts of a season (also Steve Stone, 1976; Jason Hammel, 2016).
Posted a 14.0-inning scoreless streak to begin the season, the fourth-longest by a Cubs pitcher since 1901.
Made his third career Opening Day start March 30 vs. Milwaukee (0 ER/6.0 IP), earning the win … improved to 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA (3 ER/21.0 IP) in his three career Opening Day starts.
In three Cactus League starts with the Cubs, went 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA (1 ER/10.0 IP) and 10 strikeouts.
Made two starts for Team Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, posting a 3.00 ERA (3 ER/9.0 IP).
MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:
Central Intelligence
The Brewers are in a 13-game stretch (3-3) during which the team takes on NL Central opponents: at PIT (2-1), vs. CHC (1-2), vs. CIN (3g) and at CIN (3g).
Stro-Man Competition
Willy Adames enters the day a career .533 (8-for-15, 2hr, 2bb) hitter against today’s starter Marcus Stroman…..a look at the highest career batting averages vs. Stroman (min. 15ab):
Player AVG
Willy Adames …… .533 (8-for-15, 2hr)
Aaron Judge ……. .476 (10-for-21, 4hr)
Tyler Naquin …… .455 (10-for-22, 0hr)
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 .363 (37-for-102) with 23 runs, 3 HR and 17 RBI in 26 games while sporting a .449 OBP/.588 SLG/1.037 OPS.
Take Me To Your Leader
Christian Yelich is among NL leaders in SB (T4th, 20), runs (6th, 63), walks (T9th, 44) and OBP (10th, .380) and also leads the team in hits (89), 2B (17), RBI (42), TB (140), XBH (29), AVG (.286), SLG (.450) and OPS (.830).
TODAY’S GAME: Is game 4 (1-2) of a 7-game homestand against Chicago-NL (1-2) 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 (98 days): The Brewers have spent the following number of days alone or tied at each position in the NL Central standings: FIRST: 57, SECOND: 39,
THIRD: 2, FOURTH: 0, FIFTH: 0…..the team is currently in second place, trailing the first-place Reds by 2.0 games.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 14-13-0 in series play.
Game 1: 13-15, Game 2: 16-12, Game 3: 14-13, 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 23-20 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.
TODAY’S STARTER: #51 – RHP FREDDY PERALTA (16gs, 5-7, 4.67)
PERALTA AT A GLANCE: Freddy Peralta, 27, will make his 17th start of the season and first against the Cubs…..Peralta last started last Friday vs. Pittsburgh and received no decision in the Brewers’ 8-7 loss (5.1ip, 3h, 3r, 3er, 2bb, 8k, 1hr, 1wp, 108 pitches)…..he left the game with a 4-3 lead…..the team is 7-9 in his starts…..he has 8 quality starts….. opponents are batting .236 (78-for-331, 15hr)…..Peralta was acquired from Seattle, along with RHP Carlos Herrera and RHP Daniel Missaki, in exchange for 1B Adam Lind on 12/9/15…..on 2/28/20, he signed a 5-year contract through the 2024 season with club options for 2025 and 2026.
LAST SEASON: Peralta went 4-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 games/17 starts…..he held opponents to a .190 batting average with 86 strikeouts in 78.0 innings…..the team went 8-9 in his starts…..he produced 4 quality starts…..he was on the injured list twice last season: 5/23-8/2 (right posterior shoulder strain) and 9/9-9/24 (right shoulder inflammation).
CAREER: Is 35-24 with a 3.96 ERA in 132 games/83 starts (501.2ip, 221er)…..is in his sixth Major League season, all with the Brewers (2018-23)…..is 27-22 with a 3.99 ERA as a starter (417.2ip, 185er) and 8-2 with a 3.86 ERA in relief (84ip, 36er)…..was an All-Star in 2021.
CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 22-13 with a 3.41 ERA in 71 games/43 starts (271.2ip, 103er)…..is 4-3 with a 3.75 ERA in 9 starts this season (48ip, 20er).
CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 13-11 with a 4.62 ERA in 61 games/40 starts (230ip, 118er)…..is 1-4 with a 5.82 ERA in 7 starts this season (38.2ip, 25er).
CAREER vs. CUBS: Is 5-1 with a 3.17 ERA in 14 games/9 starts (54ip, 19er), including 0-0 with a 2.81 ERA in 3 starts last season (16ip, 5er)…..has gone 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA in his career against the Cubs as a starter (45.1ip, 16er).
