CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
Cubs vs. Mets
The Cubs and Mets play six games spanning two series this season … the teams first met at Wrigley Field May 23-25, which saw the Cubs take two of three games … Chicago has won the last five season series against the Mets dating to 2017 and, entering this series, gone 11-3 at Citi Field since 2018, including sweeps in 2018 (4 G), 2019 (3 G) and 2022 (3 G
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: The Chicago Cubs tonight play the Mets for the third contest of a six-game, seven-day road trip at New York (1-1) and Toronto (three games starting Friday) … Chicago last night evened the three-game series at one game apiece, beating the Mets 3-2 … Mike Tauchman tallied the game-winning RBI with a solo blast in the eighth inning … Jameson Taillon (7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 7 SO) earned his seventh win of the season in his fourth-straight outing allowing two or fewer runs.
The Cubs are 16-5 in their last 21 games since July 18 … following play on July 20, the Cubs sat 7.0-games out of a wild-card spot and 8.5-games back of the division lead … the club enters today in the third wild card spot and 1.5-games back of division-leading Milwaukee.
In a stretch that started yesteday (1-1), Chicago will play 13 of 18 contests on the road.
Today marks the final day of 16-straight gamedays (11-4) that began July 25 … beginning in Toronto, the Cubs will have three off-days in eight days.
The Cubs +66 run differential ranks third in the N.L. behind the Braves (+164) and the Dodgers (+120) … they are the only team in the N.L. Central with a
positive run differential (Pittsburgh, -79; St. Louis, -30; Cincinnati, -27; and Milwaukee, -1).
THERE HE GOMES!: Yan Gomes last night snapped an 0-for-17 hitless streak with a RBI double in the fifth inning … since July 23, Gomes is tied for the major league lead in doubles (8) with teammate Jeimer Candelario and Milwaukee’s William Contreras … dating to July 20 when Gomes recorded two triples in the game, he ranks tied for third in the majors in extra-base hits (11).
SAVING THE DAY: Adbert Alzolay last night earned his 11th-straight save while his 15 saves this season lead the team … the 11-straight converted save opportunities are the most by a Cub since Craig Kimbrel converted 16 consecutive save chances May 18-July 25, 2021.
Since July 5, Alzolay’s 11 saves lead the majors.
Alzolay is one of six pitchers with an active streak of at least 11-straight successful save chances … among the 15 major league pitchers with save streaks of at least 11 games this season, Alzolay is the lone hurler to have not allowed a run nor a walk during the stretch.
WORKING MEN: While the Cubs bullpen ranks third in the majors since the All-Star break with 96.2 innings of work, on the season the Cubs have just one pitcher to have made 50 appearances – Michael Fulmer (49 relief outings and one spot start) … nine clubs have multiple pitchers who have reached 50 outings, including Cincinnati and Houston, who have four pitchers apiece to have already reached or eclipse 50 games pitched.
DEFENSIVE PROWESS: According to FanGraphs, Chicago’s 30 defensive runs saved are fourth-most in the majors and third in the N.L. … Dansby Swanson leads the N.L.
and ranks second in the majors among shortstops with 13 defensive runs saved (Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco paces the majors with 15).
FUN WITH FULMER: Since May 28, Michael Fulmer has pitched to a 1.20 ERA (4 ER/30.0) with a 3-1 record, 32 strikeouts and a 1.07 WHIP in 27 appearances (one start) … in his last three outings combined (3.2 IP) he has struck out seven batters, surrendered just one hit and not allowed any free passes … among pitchers with at Least 25 appearances since May 28, Fulmer’s 1.20 ERA ranks third and his .173 opponent average ranks 10th.
SINCE THE BREAK…: Entering today, in 25 games since the All-Star break, Chicago has scored 169 runs, the most in the majors, leading the second-place Dodgers by 21 runs (148) … the Cubs’ .292 team average (253-for-867) since the break is the highest in the majors by 14 points (Dodgers – .278), while the club’s .866 OPS during that span ranks second.
Chicago’s 17-8 record (.680 win %) since the break is second in the majors.
Stats Perform noted that the Cubs’ 150 runs in the first 20 games after the break after Thursday’s game is tied for the second-most since the All-Star break first took place in 1933, trailing the California Angels (161 in 1995).
THE ‘PEN IS BULLISH: The ‘pen has pitched to a 2.76 ERA (18 ER/58.2 IP) in the last 15 games dating to July 25, compared to a 5.11 ERA in the previous 17 games … the relievers’ 2.76 ERA since July 25 ranks third in the N.L. and fifth in the majors in that span and their 58.2 innings pitched are third most in baseball.
In that same time frame, Chicago’s bullpen’s 1.02 WHIP ranks fourth in the majors and its 57 strikeouts are seventh-most among relief staffs.
YOU BETTER BELLI-EVE IT: Cody Bellinger, July’s N.L. Player of the Month, this season is batting .331 (104-for-314) with 18 doubles, one triple, 17 homers, 56 RBI and 17 stolen bases … entering play today, Bellinger, Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. and Los Angeles’ Freddie Freeman are the only three major leaguers to have at least a .330 average, 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases.
In 44 games since being reinstated from the injured list on June 15 (left knee contusion), Bellinger is hitting .382 (65-for-170) with nine doubles, 10 homers, 36 RBI, a .420 OBP and a .612 slugging percentage.
Starting Pitcher – #28 RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-6, 3.98)
Last Time Out
Kyle suffered his sixth loss of the season, surrendering a season-high seven runs (last May 20, 2022 vs. Arizona) in 4.0 IP Aug. 4 vs. Atlanta … allowed all seven runs in the fourth inning, the first time a Cub pitcher has allowed seven runs in an inning since he did so Sept. 16, 2021 in Philadelphia (fourth inning) … the 4.0 IP marked his shortest start of the season.
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
8/4 ATL L, 0-8 4.0 8 7 7 0 3 72-48 0-7
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 1-4 5.50 7 7 36.0 44 24 22 5 26
Road 3-2 2.78 7 7 45.1 34 19 14 7 25
AVG vs. LHB: .231 (37-for-160) / AVG vs. RHB: .265 (41-for-155)
Kyle will make his 15th start of the 2023 campaign, his eighth at on the road … has posted a 2.78 ERA (14 ER/45.1 IP) on the road this season, compared to a 5.50 ERA (22 ER/36.0 IP) in seven starts at Wrigley Field … his 2.78 road ERA is is the seventh-lowest among N.L. starters (min. 7 GS) … has held opponents to a .154 average (24-for-156) with 36 strikeouts against his changeup.
July 25, made his 12th career start vs. the White Sox, the second-most by a Cubs pitcher trailing Carlos Zambrano (13).
Walked one batter in five starts from June 29-July 19 (29.1 IP), his fewest in a five-game span in his career.
Started July 9 at New York (A.L.) and July 14 vs. Boston, becoming the first Cubs pitcher since Carlos Zambrano (July 8-13, 2007) to start back-to-back team
games.
Posted a 1.95 ERA (7 ER/32.1 IP) in five starts from June 10-July 4, allowing three runs or fewer in all five outings … his 1.95 ERA was the fourth-lowest in the majors during that span (min. 5 GS).
June 10 in San Francisco, carried a no-hit bid into the eighth … the 7.2 inning 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.
NEW YORK METS NOTES:
METSCELLANEOUS: The Mets fell to the Cubs, 3-2, on Tuesday night… The Mets are 4-9 in rubber games this season…The Mets continue a 10-day, 10-game homestand (1-1) against the Cubs (1-1), Braves (four games) and Pirates (three games).
I DECLARE AN fWAR: Francisco Lindor ranks eighth in the majors with a 4.3 fWAR…That is fifth-best in the National League…Since he joined the Mets in 2021, Lindor ranks fifth in the major leagues with a 15.3 fWAR.
PICK SIX: Francisco Lindor owns a six-game hitting streak, batting .455 (10-22) with five runs, two doubles, one home run, four RBI, two walks with a .500 OBP and a .682 SLG in that span…He has safely hit in 10 of his last 11 games, batting .415 (17-41) with 10 runs, three doubles, three home runs, seven RBI, five walks, with a .489 OBP, a .707 SLG and a 1.197 OPS.
LINSANITY: Over the last 43 games, Lindor is batting .304 (48-158) with 33 runs, eight doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 25 RBI, 24 walks, 12 steals with a .398 OBP, a .570 SLG and a .967 OPS…Lindor has stolen 18 bases in 112 games this season, exceeding his total from 2022 (16 steals in 161 games)…His career-best is 25 steals 158 games in 2018.
THE DAVID: David Peterson is set to make his second start since returning to the rotation…He allowed only one hit, walked three and struck out one in 3.0 innings against the Orioles on August 4…Today will makr his fifth career start against the Cubs…Peterson is 1-2 with a 4.92 ERA (8 Er/14.2 IP) with 10 walks and 15 strikeouts in his previous outings…Peterson made six appearances in relief this year and went 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA (2 Er/8.0 IP) with three walks and eight punchouts… In his last 10 games, Peterson is 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA (6 ER/26.1 IP) with 14 walks and 24 strikeouts.
OTTOMATIC: Over his last 14 games, Adam Ottavino has posted a 1.35 ERA (2 ER/13.2 IP) with seven strikeouts…He has posted a 2.30 ERA (7 ER/27.1 IP) with 23 strikeouts over his last 29 games since May 25.
FOR PETE’S SAKE: Pete Alonso has homered in back-to-back games, hitting three home runs in that span…It was the seventh time this season that Alonso has homered in consecutive games…He is third in the majors and second in the Senior Circuit with 34 home runs…He is third in the majors and second in the NL with 85 RBI…He is hitting .329 (23-70) with 13 extra-base hits, 23 RBI, 12 runs and a 1.134 OPS in his last 18 games…He was hitting .132 (12-91) with seven extra-base hits and a .549 OPS over his previous 25 games (since his return from the IL on June 18-19).
RANK PLAYER HR
- Darryl Strawberry 252
- David Wright 242
- Mike Piazza 220
- Howard Johnson 192
- Pete Alonso 180
RANK PLAYER RBI
- Edgardo Alfonzo 538
T8. Cleon Jones 521
T8. Jose Reyes 521 - Keith Hernandez 468
- Pete Alonso 465
METS CAREER LEADERS
POLAR BEAR VS. WINDY CITY CUBS: Pete Alonso has 14 home runs and 32 RBI in 26 career games against the Cubs…His 14 career home runs against the Cubs are the fourth-most by an opposing player against Chicago since 2019…Alonso is averaging one home run per 6.57 AB against Chicago-NL, the second-highest rate all-time (min. 100 PA) behind only Mark McGwire (5.43 AB/HR against the Northsiders)…He has 32 RBI in 89 career at-bats against the Cubs… His 2.88 AB/RBI ratio vs. Chicago-NL is the best since RBI became an official stat in 1920…His 32 career RBI are the fifth-most by an opposing player against Chicago since 2019…Alonso has homered in six of his last seven games against the Cubbies, including twice during a three-game set at Wrigley Field this May…He has hit safely in nine consecutive games vs. the Cubs, going 12-31 (.387) with seven homers, 15 RBI, eight runs scored and a 1.551 OPS.
IN THE CITI: The Mets are in a stretch where 19 of 25 games are at home…New York is 1-1 in that span…The Mets are 27-24 at home this season…The team has posted a 3.75 ERA in Citi Field…That is the fourth-lowest mark in the National League…This compares to a 4.93 mark on the road…The team’s 51 games at home are the fewest in the majors.
JEFF McHITS: In 17 games since July 21, Jeff McNeil is batting .292 (19-65) with 11 runs, two doubles, one triple, one home run, nine RBI, four walks with a .370 OBP and a .400 SLG…In 23 games (87 at-bats) following the All-Star break, McNeil has struck out seven times.
HERE’S THE CATCH: Francisco Alvarez has hit 21 home runs this season…He joins Pete Alonso (53, 2019) and Darryl Strawberry (26, 1983) as the only Mets rookies to have 20 or more home runs in a season…Alvarez leads all major league catchers with 19 home runs playing that position and is second beind Arizona’s Corbin Carroll for the rookie lead in homers.
PLAYER HOME RUNS YEAR
Johnny Bench 26 1969
Francisco Alvarez 21 2023
Darrell Porter 16 1973
Johnny Bench 15 1968
Research courtesy of Sarah Langs
MOST HR IN AGE-21 SEASON OR YOUNGER, AL/NL CATCHERS:
IF YOU START ME UP: The Mets are 34-9 when the starting pitcher throws at least 6.0 innings…New York has gone 14-1 when its starter itches 7.0+ innings and are a perfect 5-0 when the starter completes 8.0 innings.
STEAL MY SUNSHINE: New York has recorded 80 steals in 89 attempts…The team’s 89.9 percent success rate is the best in the majors…The Mets had a franchise-record run of 35 consecutive stolen bases without being caught from May 14-June 29…Overall, New York has been successful in 53 of their last 57 stolen base attempts.
STARTING PITCHER – DAVID PETERSON LHP #23
2023 STATS: 3-7, 5.65 E R A
LAST TIME OUT: Threw 3.0 innings in his first start for the Mets since July 8 at
Baltimore…Did not allow any runs and just one hit while walking three and striking
out one.
ALL THAT JAZZ: Tonight, Peterson will face the Cubs for the fifth time of his career and the first time this season…He has made four starts against the Cubs and has posted a 4.91 ERA (8 ER/14.2 IP) in those outings…This will be Peterson’s third time facing the Cubs at home…This season, Peterson is 2-2 in home games.
MAKIN’ IT MAJOR: Since returning to the majors on June 27 after a stint with Syracuse (AAA), Peterson has pitched to a 2-1 record with a 2.05 ERA (6 ER/26.1 IP) in ten games, four of which were starts…Since July 14, Peterson has pitched to a 1.64 ERA (2 ER/11.0 IP) over six relief appearances and one start…Did not allow a homer in any of those outings.
A MINUTE IN THE MINORS: Peterson was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on April 29, was recalled on May 9, then optioned again on May 16…In his first start with Syracuse following his May 16 option, he dealt 8.0 shutout innings, allowed just two hits and struck out nine…For his effort, he as named International League Pitcher of the Week…All told, he has made seven starts for the Syracuse Mets this season…Has a 1-2 record with a 4.86 ERA (20 ER/37.0 IP).
NO PLACE LIKE NEW YORK: This season, Peterson has pitched to a 2.67 ERA (8 ER/27.0 IP) in eight home outings (four starts)…Over ten road outings (eight starts) this season, the southpaw has pitched to an 7.75 ERA (33 ER/38.1 IP).
LETHAL LEFTY: Peterson has limited lefties to a .243 (62-255) average in his career…He whiffed 32 of the 96 left-handed batters he faced last year, a 33 percent strikeout rate that ranked fourth among all left-handed pitchers to face a minimum of 90 LHB in 2022.
SLIP ‘N’ SLIDE: Peterson held batters to a .175 (24-137) average with his slider last season and 78 of his 126 strikeouts came on the pitch…His 52.0 slider- Strikeout percentage was the second-highest in MLB (min. 150 PA) behind only teammate Edwin Díaz (54.7) and his 47.9 whiff percentage with the pitch was the third-highest in the majors behind only Díaz (54.7) and Seattle’s Andres Muñoz (50.8).
STRIKE ‘EM OUT, STRIKE ‘EM OUT: Peterson struck out at least five batters in 11 straight starts from June 20-September 9 last season, the second-longest streak by a left-handed starter last season…It was the sixth-longest streak by a Mets left-handed starter in franchise history…Peterson had 82 strikeouts across 58.2 innings during that span (13 G/11 GS) good for a 12.58 K/9 ratio.
