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 wrap up the three-game series in Toronto … Chicago yesterday clinched the series win with a 5-4 victory against the Blue Jays .. the win after entering the ninth inning with a tied score was the first such victory for the club this season.
The Cubs are 19-6 in their last 25 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 (3-2), 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 +71 run differential ranks third in the N.L. behind the Braves (+194) and the Dodgers (+131).
TAILLON TYING IT TOGETHER: Jameson Taillon takes the bump today for his first career start against the Blue Jays … since July 7, he is 5-0 with three quality Starts, a 2.17 ERA (9 ER/37.1 IP) and a 1.02 WHIP in six games, compared to posting a 2-6 record with a 6.93 ERA (49 ER/63.2 IP), one quality start and a 1.52 WHIP in his 14 outings to start the season … only Taillon and Houston’s J.P. France have five wins since July 5.
O-CANADA: The Cubs yesterday clinched a series win against Toronto, winning each of the first two games of the set (6-2 and 5-4) … today, Chicago looks to sweep their first series in Cananda since May 31-June 2, 1991, when they went 3-0 against the Montreal Expos at Olympic Stadium (cc: Ed Hartig).
TURF MONSTERS: Rogers Centre is one of five MLB stadiums to feature an artificial playing surface … Chicago has played seven 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 this series in Toronto (2-0).
500 AND COUNTING: Cody Bellinger Friday 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 and Rafael Devers.
MONTHLY MATTERS: Chicago is 8-3 in August after finishing 15-11 in July, 14-11 in June, 10-18 in May and opening the year with a 14-13 record March/April … here’s a look at the numbers by month:
2023 AVG OBP SLG R/G BB SO ERA IP ER BB SO
Mar/April .276 .347 .448 5.4 95 224 3.64 239.2 97 91 249
May .232 .319 .375 3.6 115 282 4.73 247.1 130 78 212
June .237 .316 .380 4.8 83 224 3.34 218.0 81 79 189
July .268 .342 .432 5.8 89 230 4.29 233.0 111 84 219
August .280 .348 .525 6.7 38 96 5.20 97.0 56 32 96
NICE WORK BY NICO: Nico Hoerner has reached base in 24 of 27 games since the AllStar break, including a current 11-game on-base streak … Hoerner leads the team in
total bases (184) this season and ranks second in times on-base (167) … only Ian Happ (60) has more than Hoerner’s 51 games with multiple times on-base this season.
Hoerner leads the team in hits (127) and runs scored (70).
SAVING THE DAY: Adbert Alzolay yesterday earned the save in his 12th-straight opportunity while his 16 saves this season lead the team … the 12-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 12 saves lead the majors.
SINCE THE BREAK…: Entering today, in 28 games since the All-Star break, Chicago has scored 183 runs, the most in the majors (the Braves are second with 179 runs) … the Cubs’ .286 team average (277-for-967) since the break is the second-highest in the majors behind the Braves (.288) and the club’s .857 OPS during that span trails only the Braves .899.
Chicago’s 19-9 record (.679 winning percentage) since the break is third in the majors and second in the N.L. behind the Dodgers (.704/19-8).
YOU BETTER BELLI-EVE IT: Cody Bellinger, July’s N.L. Player of the Month, this season is batting .331 (108-for-326) with 19 doubles, one triple, 18 homers, 59 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.
Through his first 86 games played, his 108 hits are a career-high, his .331 average, .380 OBP and 68 runs scored are all second to 2019 (.344, .439 and 70, respectively) and his .942 OPS and 59 RBI are his third-most.
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.
Starting Pitcher – #50 RHP Jameson Taillon (7-6, 5.17)
Last Time Out
Jameson on Aug. 8 at the Mets earned his seventh win of the season and fifth-straight decision since July 7 … retired his final 16 batters faced after allowing a
two-out double Omar Navaez in the second inning … lone runs allowed came in the first inning on a two-run Pete Alonso homer.
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
8/8 @ NYM W, 3-2 7.0 3 2 2 0 7 96-67 3-2
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 3-4 6.17 11 11 54.0 73 40 37 14 53
Road 4-2 4.02 9 9 47.0 32 23 21 16 36
AVG vs. LHB: .268 (55-for-205) / AVG vs. RHB: .265 (50-for-189)
Jameson will make his 20th start of the season, his ninth on the road today … is 5-0 with a 2.17 ERA (9 ER/37.1 IP) in his last six starts since July 7 … has allowed three runs or fewer in six-straight starts for the first time since Aug. 8-Sept. 10, 2022 (seven-straight with the Yankees) … has walked two or fewer in 17 of his 20 outings this season … has pitched to a 6.17 ERA (37 ER/54.0 IP) in 11 starts at Wrigley Field, compared to a 4.02 ERA (21 ER/47.0 IP) in nine starts on the road … his 30 walks ranks sixth in the N.L. among pitchers with at least 20 starts.
Threw a season-high 109 pitches July 23 vs. the Cardinals … were his most since throwing 110 April 8, 2018, vs. the Reds while with the Pirates.
Tossed 8.0, one-hit, scoreless innings in a 3-0 win July 7 at Yankee Stadium … was the first pitcher with at least 8.0 innings and one or fewer hits allowed on
the road at Yankee Stadium since Baltimore’s Daniel Cabrera did so in 2006 … was also the first former Yankee to go a least 8.0 frames and allow no more than one hit in a game at Yankee Stadium (old or new).
Made his first quality start as a Cub June 13 vs. Pittsburgh (3 ER/6.0 IP).
Earned his first win as a Cub June 2 in San Diego (1 ER/5.2 IP) … had previously gone eight-straight starts without a win, the third time in his career that he had failed to win in at least eight-straight starts in the same season (last 9 G, April 14-May 27, 2018).
Walked two or fewer batters in 16-straight starts from Aug. 14, 2022-May 9, 2023 … at the time, marked the fifth-longest active streak among major league starting pitchers.
Began his stint on the 15-day injured list April 20 (retroactive to April 17) with a left groin strain … was activated on May 4.
Went 2-0 with a 3.93 ERA (8 ER/18.1 IP) with 23 strikeouts, compared to no walks, during Spring Training … was the only pitcher in the Cactus League with at least 10.0 IP to not walk a batter.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays allowed the game-winning run to score in the 9th inning on Saturday against the Cubs, losing the 2nd game of their weekend series by a 5-4 final… Are now 19-16 in one-run games this season for a .543 win%, still the 3rd-best mark among American League clubs…Five of their last eight games have been decided by a single run (2-3)…Slipped to 22-15-1 in series play this year (11-7-0 at Rogers Centre). Toronto has still won 11 of its last 20 games, 20 of its last 34, and is 39-29 over its last 68 contests…Its .574 win% over that span (since May 26) is tied for the 3rdhighest mark in the AL (BAL – .582, HOU – .580)…Is currently holding the 3rd AL Wild Card spot, 3.5 games back of Houston (68-50) for the 2nd spot, and now a half-game up on Seattle (63-53).
BIG-HIT WHIT: Whit Merrifield crushed a two-run homer to center in the bottom of the 5th inning yesterday…Was his 11th longball in his 110th game of the year, matching his total from last season in 29 fewer games…His 36 hits since the All-Star Break are the most among AL hitters (2nd: Gleyber Torres/Bobby Witt Jr. – 35). The three-time All-Star is hitting .333 (42-for-126) with three doubles, nine home runs, and 23 RBI over his last 32 games for a .925 OPS…Is now batting .297
on the season, good for 7th among AL hitters (12th in MLB), while his 21 stolen bases are 10th most.
THE SANTI OF SWAT: Santiago Espinal tied yesterday’s game at 4-4 in the 6th inning with a ground-rule RBI double to center… Also singled and scored a run in the 5th, finishing the day 2-for-3, his 5th multi-hit game of the season…Over his last 10 starts, the 28-year-old has batted .323 (10- for-31) with two doubles, a home run, and five RBI for an .848 OPS.
A VLAD, VLAD MAN: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. plated the game’s opening run on Saturday with a 3rd-inning single, his team-leading 70th RBI of the season…Became the first player in franchise history with three seasons of at least 70 RBI before the age of 25 (111 in 2021, 97 in 2022). The Montreal native has recorded an AL-leading 200 hard-hit balls (95+ MPH) this season, 20 more than the next closest batter (Kyle Tucker – 180), while his average exit velocity of 93.5 ranks 7th.
DOUBLE FOR DAVIS: Davis Schneider doubled and scored in the 6th inning yesterday before drawing a walk in the 8th, finishing the game 1-for-3…The two-bagger was his 1st career knock at Rogers Centre. As a big leaguer, the 24-year-old has gone 10-for-25 (.400) with a double, two home runs, and five RBI for a 1.196 OPS…Has reached base safely 16 times over his first seven MLB contests (10H, 5BB, HBP), tied with Bo Bichette for the most in franchise history.
WHAT RYU UP TO TODAY?: Hyun Jin Ryu is set to make his 3rd start of the season this afternoon…In his last outing on Aug. 7 at CLE, pitched 4.0 no-hit innings with a walk and two strikeouts before being removed from the game with a right knee contusion.
HOME FOR NATIONAL FOES: The Blue Jays are on a five-game, six-day, all-interleague homestand (0-2 so far)…Have gone 30-26 this season at Rogers Centre…The .536 win% at home is 9th in the AL…After this series with the Cubs, will have Monday off before two games vs. Philly (65-53). Toronto batters rank 5th in the AL in home OBP (.325), 5th in home AVG (.252), 8th in home OPS (.728), and 10th in home SLG (.402)…The pitching staff ranks 2nd among AL teams with 3.42 home ERA while sitting 3rd with a .228 home opponents’ average and 5th with a 1.20 home WHIP.
WHAT A RELIEF: Toronto’s bullpen surrendered a run over 3.0 innings yesterday and have allowed just three runs to score across 27.1 innings over the last nine games (0.99 ERA)…Since June 20th, Blue Jay relievers lead the AL in ERA (2.71), FIP (3.39), opponents’ SLG (.343), opponents’ OPS (.634), HR/9 (0.68), and inherited runners scored % (17.2).
PITCHING IN:
Toronto pitchers have combined for a 3.71 ERA this season, the 2nd-best mark among MLB teams (SEA – 3.69)…Are 3rd in MLB with 1,115 strikeouts (MIN – 1,135, MIA – 1,120)…Rank 6th in the AL in WHIP (1.25) and 7th in opponents’ average (.241)…The rotation has 55 quality starts, tied for 3rd most in MLB.
HITTING IT: Toronto batters have notched 1,062 hits this season, 3rd most in MLB (TEX – 1,106; ATL – 1,094)…Are currently 2nd in the AL in team OBP (.329), 3rd in AVG (.260), 5th in OPS (.746), 7th in extra-base hits (358), and 8th in SLG (.417).
FULL STEAM FOR 17: The Blue Jays have reached the final series of a stretch of 17 games in 17 days…Have gone 8-8 with a +6 run differential through 16 contests.
INTERTAINMENT: Toronto is playing its 12th interleague series of the year…Has gone 22-12 vs. NL clubs so far…The .647 win% in interleague games is the best among MLB teams (2nd: CIN – .630)…Has set a club record with the 22 wins vs. NL clubs (14 in 2021). The Blue Jays have hit 674 home runs all-time in Interleague Play, the most among all 30 teams.
VS. THE CUBS: All-Time: 10-10
2023: 0-2 Home: 8-6
Home: 0-2 Rogers Centre: 8-6
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…Were swept by the Cubs once in team history, losing all three games at Wrigley Field from Aug. 18-20, 2017.
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 17-for-55 (.309) with five doubles, three homers, and 12 RBI over 15 matchups (.930 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 – Hyun Jin Ryu, LHP #99
TODAY’S GAME: Making his 3rd start of the season and his 2nd at home…Threw 4.0 no-hit frames in his last outing, on 8/7 at CLE, issuing one walk with a pair of strikeouts…Was removed from the game with a right knee contusion. His 3.15 ERA since the start of 2018 is the 12th-best mark in the Majors (min. 500 IP)…Among active pitchers with 1000+ IP, his career 3.27 ERA is 8th best.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Made his season debut on 8/1 vs. BAL, giving up 4 runs over 5.0+ frames with 9 hits, a walk, and 3 strikeouts…Was his 50th career start in a Blue
Jays uniform. Began the season on the injured list after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2022. Was sent on a rehab assignment to the FCL Blue Jays and made one start on 7/4, pitching 3.0 innings of one-run ball on 4 hits, no walks, and 5 strikeouts. Made one start with Single-A Dunedin on 7/9, tossing 4.0 shutout innings with 3 hits, no walks, and a strikeout. Started for Triple-A Buffalo on 7/15, going 5.0 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits while walking none and recording 5 strikeouts. On 7/21, made a 2nd start with Buffalo, tossing 6.0 innings of 2-run ball, scattering 3 hits and a walk with 5 punchouts.
