CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
Cubs vs. Blue Jays
The Cubs and Blue Jays meet in Toronto this weekend for the only three games between the clubs this season … Chicago is 8-10 all-time against Toronto and 4-8 north of the border … the Cubs are looking for their second series victory at Rogers Centre, and first since 2008.
CANADA, EH: The Chicago Cubs today play the Blue Jays for the second contest of a three-game series … Chicago last night took game one of the series 6-2, winning the series opener at Rogers Centre for the first time since the Cubs began playing Toronto … Nico Hoerner and Cody Bellinger both homered in the first inning to give the Cubs an early lead … Javier Assad earned his second win of the season and allowed one run on four hits and one walk with two strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work, the longest outing of his career.
The Cubs are 18-6 in their last 24 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 2.5-games back of division-leading Milwaukee.
In a stretch that started Monday (2-2), Chicago will play 13 of 18 contests on the road.
After having played 16-straight games July 25-August 9 (11-5), the Cubs have three off-days in eight days, including Thursday’s hiatus.
The Cubs +70 run differential ranks third in the N.L. behind the Braves (+170) and the Dodgers (+120).
TURF MONSTERS: Rogers Centre is one of five MLB stadiums to feature an artificial playing surface … Chicago has played six games on artificial turf this season, three against the Marlins in Miami April 28-30 (0-3), two against St. Louis in London, at which MLB utilized artificial turf at London Stadium, June 24-25 (1-1), and last night in Toronto (1-0).
500 AND COUNTING: Cody Bellinger last night recorded his 500th career run scored on a two-run homer in the first inning … among players whose rookie season was 2017 or later, Bellinger is the third player to reach the 500-run milestone, joining Aaron Judge (584) and Rafael Devers (500).
DON’T GO CHASING … PITCHES OUT OF THE ZONE: While Cody Bellinger last night singled in the fifth inning on a pitch just 0.63 feet off the ground, the lowest pitch he has ever recorded a hit off of (cc: Baseball Savant), the Cubs have the seventh lowest chase rate (26.1%) in the majors … the club’s 26.7% swing rate on pitches ‘likely called a ball’ ranks fifth and its 7.4% swing rate on non-competitive pitches ranks sixth, according to TruMedia.
Dansby Swanson (5th, 2.1%), Seiya Suzuki (9th, 2.8%) and Ian Happ (23rd, 4.6%) all rank in the top 25 in the majors in chase rate on non-competitive pitches.
STEADY STARTERS: Chicago this season has utilized nine different starters, tied for fourth fewest in the majors … only Toronto (7), Washington (7) and Baltimore (8) have used fewer starting pitchers … the Cubs have four pitchers who have made at least 20 starts this season – Drew Smyly, Justin Steele, Marcus Stroman and Jameson Taillon – tied for the league lead.
Through the team’s first 116 games, the starters have pitched 614.2 innings with 51 quality starts, both of which are the most by Chicago’s starting staffs through 116 games since 2019 (651.2 IP, 53 QS).
NICE WORK BY NICO: Nico Hoerner has reached base in 23 of 26 games since the All-Star break, including a current 10-game on-base streak … Hoerner leads the team in total bases (181) this season and ranks second in times on-base (165) … only Ian Happ (60) has more than Hoerner’s 50 games with multiple times on-base this season.
Hoerner leads the team in hits (125) and runs scored (69).
THERE HE GOMES!: Five of Yan Gomes’ last nine hits have been doubles, including one that snapped an 0-for-17 hitless streak Tuesday … since July 20, Gomes is tied for the major league lead in doubles (9) with Los Angleles’ Freddie Freeman and Milwaukee’s William Contreras … in that span, his 12 extra-base hits are tied for fifth in the majors.
SAVING THE DAY: Adbert Alzolay Tuesday 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.
FUN WITH FULMER: Since May 28, Michael Fulmer has pitched to a 1.45 ERA (5 ER/31.0 IP) with a 3-1 record, 33 strikeouts and a 1.06 WHIP in 28 appearances (one start) … in his last four outings combined (4.2 IP) he has struck out eight batters, surrendered just one run on one hit and not allowed any free passes … among pitchers with at least 25 appearances since May 28, Fulmer’s 1.45 ERA ranks tied for sixth in the majors and his .176 opponent average ranks eighth in the N.L.
SINCE THE BREAK…: Entering today, in 27 games since the All-Star break, Chicago has scored 178 runs, the most in the majors, leading the second-place Dodgers by 20 runs (158) … the Cubs’ .289 team average (270-for-935) since the break is the highest in the majors by 7 points (Braves – .282), while the club’s .863 OPS during that span ranks second.
Chicago’s 18-9 record (.667 winning percentage) since the break is fourth in the majors and second in the N.L. behind the Dodgers (.692/18-8).
Starting Pitcher – #35 LHP Justin Steele (13-3, 2.68)
Last Time Out
Justin earned his MLB-high-tying 13th win of the season Aug. 6 vs. Atlanta (3 ER/5.1 IP) … has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 10-straight starts since May 31, posting a 2.57 ERA (16 ER/56.0 IP) during the run … has allowed nine-plus hits in four of his last six starts … threw a career-high 110 pitches.
Date Opp.
Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
8/6 ATL W, 6-4 5.1 8 4 3 4 7 110-68 5-3, 3 on
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 9-2 2.63 13 13 72.0 72 30 21 18 66
Road 4-1 2.76 8 8 49.0 42 17 15 10 47
AVG vs. LHB: .236 (21-for-89) / AVG vs. RHB: .249 (93-for-374)
Justin is scheduled to make his 22nd start of the 2023 season today, his ninth on the road … has posted a 2.28 ERA (40 ER/157.2 IP) since July 22, 2022, the lowest ERA in the majors during the run (min. 28 GS) … has earned a win in a career-high tying four-straight starts for the second time this season (also April 8-25) … his 12 starts of 6.0-plus IP while allowing two or fewer earned runs rank sixth in the N.L. … his 13 wins are tied for the major league lead, while his 2.68 ERA (36 ER/121.0 IP) is the second-lowest in the majors among qualified starters … opposing batters are hitting .213 (36-for-169) with 52 strikeouts off his slider.
July 21 vs. St. Louis, recorded his 10th win of the season, the first time in his career that he has reached double-digit wins.
Earned his first career All-Star nod and pitched a scoreless fifth inning, allowing one hit with one strikeout in the N.L.’s 3-2 victory.
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.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays were taken down, 6-2, in the opener of their weekend series with the Cubs last night…Are now 20-18 in series openers. Toronto has still won 11 of its last 19 games, 20 of its last 33, and is 39-28 over its last 67 contests…Its .582 win% over that span (since May 26) is the highest mark in the AL (2nd: BAL – .576)…Is currently holding the 3rd AL Wild Card spot, 2.5 games back of Houston (67-50) for the 2nd spot, and now a half-game up on Seattle (63-52).
BELT IT OUT: Brandon Belt blasted a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the 8th inning, his 11th longball of the season…Has reached base safely in each of his last 10 games while going 12-for-37 (.324) with four doubles, three home runs, five RBI, and six walks (1.094)…His 4.43 pitches/PA this season tops all AL batters (min. 200 PA), behind only Patrick Wisdom (4.50) for the highest in the Majors.
OUT-WHITTING THEM: Whit Merrifield went 1-for-4 on a single last night… His 35 hits since the All-Star Break are the most among AL hitters (2nd: Gleyber Torres – 34). The three-time All-Star is hitting .339 (41-for-121) with three doubles, eight home runs, and 21 RBI over his last 31 games for a .921 OPS…Is now batting .298 on the season, good for 6th among AL hitters (10th in MLB), while his 21 stolen bases are 10th most.
CAVAN A GOOD TIME: Cavan Biggio walked, singled, and scored a run to finish 1-for-3 last night…Over his last 46 games, has gone 29-for-110 (.264) with 23 runs scored, five doubles, six home runs, and 18 RBI (.824 OPS).
KIRK CLICKING: Alejandro Kirk drove in a run on a 4th-inning single last night…Has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 starts, going 19-for-48 (.396) with two doubles, three homers, and eight RBI (1.116)…Has raised his season batting average by 27 points since July 19 (from .230 to .257).
HEY HAGEN!: Hagen Danner made his Major League debut last night as he came out for the top of the 9th inning…Retired the only batter he faced (Seiya Suzuki), inducing a flyout to right field, before leaving with an injury.
A DAY FOR JOSÉ: José Bautista signed a one-day contract with the ballclub yesterday to officially retire as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays…His 54 home runs in 2010 remain a single-season club record while his 288 home runs in a Blue Jays uniform trail only Carlos Degaldo (336) for the most in franchise history. Today, the three-time Silver Slugger Award winner and six-time All-Star will have his name elevated to the Level of Excellence, taking his rightful place among Blue Jays greats, including George Bell (April 9, 1996), Dave Stieb (April 9, 1996), Joe Carter (July 30, 1999), Cito Gaston (July 30, 1999), Tony Fernandez (September 23, 2001), Pat Gillick (August 7, 2002), Tom Cheek (August 29, 2004), Paul Beeston (April 4, 2008), Carlos Delgado (July 21, 2013), and Roy Halladay (March 29, 2018).
HOME FOR NATIONAL FOES: The Blue Jays are on a five-game, six-day, all-interleague homestand (0-1 so far)…Have gone 30-25 this season at Rogers Centre…The .545 win% at home is 9th in the AL…After this series with the Cubs, will have Monday off before a pair of games vs. Philly (65-52). Toronto batters rank 4th in the AL in home OBP (.326), 5th in home AVG (.253), 8th in home OPS (.728), and 10th in home SLG (.402)…The pitching staff ranks 2nd among AL teams with 3.39 home ERA while sitting 3rd with a .228 home opponents’ average and 7th with a 1.21 home WHIP.
WHAT A RELIEF: Toronto’s bullpen tossed another 4.2 scoreless innings yesterday and have allowed just two runs to score across 24.1 innings over the last eight games (0.74 ERA)…Since June 20th, Blue Jay relievers lead the AL in ERA (2.70), FIP (3.41), opponents’ SLG (.341), opponents’ OPS (.631), HR/9 (0.69), and inherited runners scored % (17.2).
PITCHING IN: Toronto pitchers have combined for a 3.70 ERA this season, the best mark among all MLB teams… Are tied for 3rd in MLB with 1,106 strikeouts (MIN –
1,125, MIA – 1,110)…Rank 6th in the AL in WHIP (1.25) and 6th in opponents’ average (.241)…The rotation has 55 quality starts, tied for 3rd most in MLB.
HITTING IT: Toronto batters have notched 1,054 hits this season, 3rd most in MLB (TEX – 1,090; ATL – 1,065)…Are currently 2nd in the AL in team OBP (.330), 3rd in AVG (.260), 5th in OPS (.746), 6th in SLG (.417), and 7th in extra-base hits (354).
FULL STEAM FOR 17: The Blue Jays have reached the final series of a stretch of 17 games in 17 days…Have gone 8-7 with a +7 run differential through 15 contests.
INTERTAINMENT: Toronto is playing its 12th interleague series of the year…Has gone 22-11 vs. NL clubs so far…The .667 win% in interleague games is the best among MLB teams (2nd: PHI – .641)…Has set a club record with the 22 wins vs. NL clubs (14 in 2021). The Blue Jays have hit 673 home runs all-time in Interleague Play, the most among all 30 teams
VS. THE CUBS: All-Time: 10-9
2023: 0-1 Home: 8-5
Home: 0-1 Rogers Centre: 8-5
The Blue Jays are taking on the Cubs in their only head-to-head series of the season…Took two of three from them when they met here at Rogers Centre last season, while all three games were decided by two-or-fewer runs…Have won eight of the 13 all-time contests played in Toronto.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 6-for-12 with a double, a homer, two RBI, and a walk in the three-game series vs. Chicago last year, which were his only career meetings with the Cubs (.833 SLG).
Daulton Varsho played seven games vs. CHC while with Arizona last season and had hits in each contest, combining to go 10-for-30 (.333) with three doubles, a home run, and six RBI…Is now a career 16-for-51 (.314) with four doubles, three homers, and 12 RBI over 14 matchups (.944 OPS).
Paul DeJong leads all current Blue Jays with 91 career games vs. the Cubs…Has hit .213 (66-for-310) with 13 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs, and 43 RBI along the way (.710 OPS).
STARTING PITCHER – Chris Bassitt, RHP #40
TODAY’S GAME: Making his 25th start of the season and his 12th at Rogers Centre…Earned his 11th win of the year his last time out, on 8/6 at BOS, tossing 7.0 frames of one-run ball (7H, 3BB, 6K)…Was his 15th quality start of the year, 4th most in the AL. Has 7 starts of at least 6.0 scoreless innings this year, the most in MLB and tied for 3rd most in team history (Rogers Clemens – 9 in 1997; Dave Stieb – 8 in 1990). Among AL hurlers, ranks 2nd in home opponent’s average (.180), 3rd in home ERA (2.56), and 4th in home WHIP (0.92).
2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Shouldered the loss on 7/31 vs. BAL, giving up 4 runs over 6.0 innings with 7 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts. Improved to 10-5 on 7/20 vs. SD, throwing 6.0 shutout innings with 4 hits, a walk, and 5 strikeouts…Marked his 14th quality start of the year. Picked up his 9th win of the year on 7/15 vs. ARI, tossing 6.0 frames of two-run ball (7H, 0BB, 5K)…Was his 13th quality start of the season. Took a no-decision on 7/4 at CWS, giving up 3 runs over 6.0 innings of
work (6H, BB, 5K). Won his 8th game of the year on 6/29 vs. SF, tossing 6.0 shutout innings with 3 hits, 3 walks, and a career-high 12 strikeouts…Tied a franchise
record with 9 strikeouts through the first 4.0 innings. Picked up the win on 6/7 vs. HOU, tossing 8.0 frames of 2-run ball with 4 hits, no walks, and 5 strikeouts on just 81 pitches (58 strikes)…Marked his 10th quality start of the year. Earned his 6th win of the year on 6/2 at NYM, throwing 7.2 frames of shutout ball with 3 hits, no walks, and 8 strikeouts…Returned home immediately after his start for the birth of his son, Colson, and was placed on the Paternity List from 6/3-6/5.
Allowed 6 runs (2 earned) across 6.1 frames of work on 5/22 at TB…Had his career-best scoreless innings streak ended at 28.0…Marked the 2ndlongest single-season streak in franchise history (Roger Clemens: 33.0 IP from 8/15-9/5/98), and the 3rd-longest overall (Dave Stieb: 34.0 IP from 9/13/88-4/5/89). Tossed 7.0 shutout innings on 5/17 vs. NYY, giving up 3 hits, a walk, and a hit batter with 7 strikeouts…Became just the 4th non-opener in Blue Jays history to throw 3 consecutive scoreless starts in a single season, joining Roger Clemens (1998), Al Leiter (1995), and Dave Stieb (1988). Threw a complete game shutout on 5/12 vs. ATL, the 2nd CG SO of his career (also: 5/27/21 vs. LAA), and the 1st nine-inning complete game shutout by a Blue Jay since Mark Buehrle on 6/3/15 at WAS…Scattered 2 hits, 2 walks, and 2 hit batters while striking out a season-high 8 on 103 pitches (70 strikes).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Has finished seven of his eight career Major League seasons with a sub4.00 ERA, including each of the last five campaigns. Tossed the 1st complete game and shutout of his career on 5/27/21 vs. LAA (9.0 IP, 2H, BB, 9K). Received two 5th-place votes in AL Cy Young balloting in 2021, finishing 10th in the vote…Earned his 1st All-Star honours. Earned AL Pitcher of the Month for September 2020, his 1st monthly award…Pitched to a 0.34 ERA that month, allowing one run over 26.2 innings in four starts…Was the lowest September ERA in the Majors since Greg Maddux had a 0.29 ERA for Atlanta in 1995. Started and won Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series vs. CWS on 9/30/20. Selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 16th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.
VS. THE CUBS: Facing the Cubs for the 3rd time in his career…Last met the Northsiders on 9/12/22 as a member of the Mets, giving up 5 runs over 3.2 innings (5H, 2BB, 2K)…His only other start vs. CHC came on 8/5/19 at Wrigley Field, tossing 6.0 frames of 2-run ball (8H, 2BB, 5K).
