CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
NEXT STOP, OAKLAND: The Chicago Cubs tonight play game one of a three-game set against Oakland to close out the road trip … yesterday, the Cubs earned the series victory with a 3-2 win over the Dodgers … it was the club’s third-straight series win.
Drew Smyly picked up his first win of season, throwing 5.2 innings and allowing one run on four hits, two walks and striking out three batters … Brad Boxberger earned his first save of the season, striking out three batters and allowing one hit in the ninth.
Patrick Wisdom launched a home run for the third-straight game and Cody Bellinger immediately followed Wisdom with a homer of his own to seal the Cubs win … it was the second set of back-to-back home runs for the Cubs this season (also Happ and Suzuki, April 14 at LAD).
EASY AS 1-2-3: The Cubs yesterday picked up their third series win of the season, in the fifth series of the year … the Cubs previously won three series this early in the season in 2020, when they did so in the third set (July 31-Aug. 2) … in 2022, it took until the 11th series (May 13-15) and until the 10th series (May 4-5) in 2021 to register their third series victory … the last time Chicago picked up four series at this point in the season was the 2020 campaign, when they did so Aug. 2-4, in the fourth series of the year.
With the win yesterday at Los Angeles, the Cubs earned their third consecutive series win … the previous time the Chicago picked up three-straight series victories was Sept. 19-Oct. 2, 2022 (4 sets), against Miami (2-1), Pittsburgh (3-1), Philadelphia (3-0) and Cincinnati (3-0).
10 KKKKs: Cubs pitching has recorded at least 10 strikeouts in each of the last four games … the previous time Chicago’s pitching staff had at least 10 Ks in four consecutive games was June 26-20, 2022 … the last such streak of five games or more was April 5-12, 2021 (7 games).
HE’S UN-BELLI-VABLE: Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger in his last 10 games, dating to April 4, is hitting .316 (12-for-38) with two doubles, two homers, six RBI, nine runs scored and a .372 on-base percentage, after starting the season 1-for-15 (.067) … in that span, Bellinger ranks sixth among N.L. outfielders in batting average … in his last five games, he is hitting .368 (7-for-19) with a .409 OBP and a .737 slugging percentage.
THE LEIT SHOW IS SHINING: Cubs reliever Mark Leiter Jr. this season has made seven appearances (6.1 IP) without allowing a run and has surrendered just three hits while striking out 12 batters … 10 of his 12 punchouts have come against lefties, which paces all major league relievers.
He ranks second with 12 K’s among N.L. relievers who have yet to give up a run … ranks tied for third among N.L. relievers with 17.08 strikeouts per nine innings pitched (min. 5 G).
CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN: Nico Hoerner Saturday recorded his eighth stolen base of the season, in the team’s 13th game, becoming just the second Cub (since 1901) to steal eight bags by the team’s 13th contest … in 1907, Jimmy Slagle picked up eight stolen bases in the team’s first 12 games … Slagle notched his ninth stolen base in team-game number 15. (h/t Ed Hartig and Jordan Bastian)
The Cubs have tallied 19 stolen bases so far this season, which is the fourth-most in the majors and second-most in the N.L. … their pace of 1.36 stolen bases/game is the third-highest in the majors.
SO FAR, A RELIEF: Cubs hitters have posted a .291 average (57-for-196) against relief pitchers this season, the highest mark in the majors … Chicago’s .361 on-base percentage against bullpen arms ranks third-best in the majors.
The Cubs are batting .274 against pitchers in all roles, the fourth-best average in the majors.
ABOUT THE ROTATION: Cubs starting pitchers have a 3.11 ERA (25 ER/72.1 IP) in the season’s early going, tied for the best mark in the N.L. and third in the majors … through the first 14 games of last season, the rotation had a 6.08 ERA (and a 4.00 ERA through the first 15 games of last year).
In fact, Cubs pitching as a whole has posted a 3.58 ERA, good for seventh best in the majors and second best in the N.L.
‘PENNING SOME THOUGHTS: Chicago’s bullpen has tossed 53.1 innings thus far, tied for the fourth-fewest innings in the majors … Twins relievers have thrown the fewest with 47.2 frames, followed by the Dodgers (51.0) and the Brewers (51.2) … Chicago’s relievers have recorded 11.47 strikeouts per nine innings and a 30.6% strikeout rate, both the best marks in baseball.
LET ME SHARE SOME WISDOM: Patrick Wisdom yesterday blasted a go-ahead solo home run, his third long-ball in as many games … since the start of the 2021 season, Wisdom has averaged one home run every 14.47 at-bats, the third-best rate among N.L. hitters with at least 900 plate appearances (Kyle Schwarber, 12.08, and Pete Alonso, 14.33).
Wisdom’s 59 homers since the start of the 2021 season are tied for the 10thmost among N.L. hitters.
Wisdom last hit home runs in at least three-consecutive games May 20-23, 2022 (4 games) … prior to Wisdom’s stretch last season, the last Cub to hit homers in four-straight games was Anthony Rizzo, July 29-Aug. 1, 2015.
Starting Pitcher – #19 RHP Hayden Wesneski (0-0, 7.50)
Last Time Out
Hayden on April 11 vs. Seattle received a no-decision, tossing 1.1 inning, the shortest outing of his career as a starter … allowed a career-high seven runs (two earned) and four walks … failed to strike out a batter for the first time in his career.
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
4/11 SEA ND, 14-9 1.1 5 7 2 4 0 64-37 0-6
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 0-0 13.50 1 1 1.1 5 7 2 4 0
Road 0-0 5.79 1 1 4.2 6 3 3 2 4
AVG vs. LHB: .500 (6-for-12) / AVG vs. RHB: .333 (5-for-15)
Hayden will make his third start of the 2023 campaign tonight, his second on the road … will make his second career interleague start, following his last outing, April 11 vs. Seattle (2 ER/1.1 IP). Went 3-1 with a 2.12 ERA (4 ER/17.0 IP) and 22 strikeouts in five Cactus League starts … did not allow a run in his first 11.2 IP of the spring before surrendering his first runs in his fourth start of Spring Training.
2022 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 2-1 2.18 4 2 20.2 15 5 5 4 21
Road 1-1 2.19 2 2 12.1 9 4 3 3 12
AVG vs. LHB: .159 (7-for-44) / AVG vs. RHB: .221 (17-for-77)
Hayden in 2022 made his major league debut, appearing in six games (four starts) with Chicago, going 3-2 and posting a 2.18 ERA (8 ER/33.0 IP) … recorded 33 strikeouts, registered a 0.94 WHIP and .198 opponent batting average.
After his debut on Sept. 6, his 2.18 ERA ranked ninth among qualified major league pitchers.
Made his major league debut in relief Sept. 6, 2022, against Cincinnati (5.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, BB, 8 SO) … he earned his first career win in the outing … became the first reliever in major league history (since at least 1901) to make his major league debut with at least 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing two or fewer hits and striking out at least eight batters.
Made his first major league start Sept. 17 against the Rockies, allowing one run on three hits and seven strikeouts in 7.0 innings … became the first Cubs rookie with a start of at least 7.0 innings while allowing one run or fewer, walking none and striking out at least seven batters since Mark Prior (July 19, 2002).
In the fifth inning on Sept. 22 at Pittsburgh, tossed the Cubs’ first immaculate inning since LaTroy Hawkins did so, Sept. 11, 2004 against the Marlins.
Was acquired from the Yankees on Aug. 1 for right-handed pitcher Scott Effross.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS NOTES:
ABOUT THE A’S: Have lost four straight, 10 of the last 11 and 13 of the last 15…are 3-13 (.188) overall and have the lowest winning percentage in the majors behind the Royals (4-12, .250)…it matches the worst record in Athletics history after 16 games…the 1951 Philadelphia A’s and 1966 Kansas City A’s also started the year 3-13…both of those clubs lost game 17 to fall to 3-14…were swept in a three-game series by the Mets to start the homestand and have now lost each of the first five series of the season…the only other times in Athletics history the A’s lost the first five series of the season are 1935, 1946 and 1951…have never lost the first six series…this is the A’s 56th season in Oakland where they have won 17 American League West titles, four AL Wild Cards, six AL pennants and four World Championships…it is the Athletics franchise 123rd season in the American League…since 1901, the A’s have 17 AL West titles plus 15 AL pennants and nine World Championships… only the Yankees (27) and Cardinals (11) have won more World Championships.
EXTRA INNING GAMES AND OTHER CLOSE CALLS: The A’s played their third extra inning game of the season yesterday and are 0-3 in those games…the
three losses are tied with the Mariners for the most in the majors and the three games are tied for third most…six of the A’s first 16 games have been decided in the winning teams last at bat and the A’s are 2-4 in those games… two of the A’s three wins have been by one run and Oakland is 2-4 in one-run decisions…the six one-run games are tied for second most in the majors (Guardians, 9) as are the four one-run losses (Reds, 5).
OFFENSE: The A’s are batting .290 (63-for-217) with eight home runs and 34 runs scored over the last six games after hitting .198 with eight home runs and 28 runs scored over the first 10 contests…are tied for the fourth fewest runs scored in the majors (62), have the fifth lowest OPS (.683), sixth lowest slugging percentage (.370) and are tied for the sixth fewest extra base hits (40)…have been hit by a pitch five times in the last two games and have nine for the season, which is tied for sixth most…have been shutout three times, which is tied with the Brewers and Royals for the most in the majors.
ON THE BASES: The A’s stole three bases yesterday after stealing a season-high four bags on Saturday…it marks just the second time over the last 11 years the A’s have stole three or more bases in back-to-back games (Aug. 1-3, 2021)…were a perfect 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts in the three-game series against the Mets and are 18-for-19 (94.7%) for the season…are tied for fifth in the majors in stolen bases and stolen base percentage.
PITCHING: The A’s allowed seven runs in the final two games of the Mets series after yielding 17 runs on Friday night…have allowed 125 runs for the season, which is 28 more than any other team (White Sox, 97)…it is the most by any team over the first 16 games since the Rockies had 126 in 1998… have a 7.60 ERA, which is nearly two earned runs higher than the next closest team (Tigers, 5.87)…also have the highest opponents OPS (.874), on-base percentage (.379) and slugging percentage (.495) in the majors and the third highest batting average (.272)…walked seven batters yesterday, which was the A’s fourth game with seven or more walks this year…that matches the season total from last year…have 86 walks for the season, which is the most in the majors…also have the most home runs (31) and hit batters (14), the third fewest strikeouts (111) and are tied for the fourth most wild pitches (9).
WITH THE BASES LOADED: A’s opponents are 12-for-21 (.571) with four grand slams, six walks and two hit by pitches with the bases loaded…the walks and grand slams are the most in the majors and the hit by pitches are tied for the most…the four grand slams match the second highest season total by an A’s team over the last six years (surrendered six last year).
STARTING PITCHING: A’s starting pitchers have compiled a 9.16 ERA, which is more than two earned runs higher than the next closest team (Red Sox, 6.81)…the A’s are the only team without a win from their starting pitchers (0- 8)…the season-opening streak of 16 consecutive games without a win from a starter is the longest such streak in Athletics history (previous: 10 in 1979 and 1997)…starters have 73.2 innings pitched, which is fifth fewest in the majors.
THE BULLPEN: The A’s bullpen has a 5.88 ERA, which is fourth highest in the majors…has 67.1 innings pitched, which is second most to the Red Sox (69.1)…had a save on Opening Day but have none since then…the one save is tied with the Phillies for the fewest in the majors…have three blown saves, which is tied for eighth most…has allowed 15-of-32 (46.9%) inherited runners to score, which is the fifth highest percentage.
DEFENSIVE DOINGS: The A’s have not committed an error in the last four games and have made three errors over the last 10 games after making eight miscues over the first six contests…have 11 errors overall, which is sixth most in the majors…the A’s have a 0-7 record when going errorless and are 3-6 when making one or more errors…are tied for seventh in the majors with three outfield assists…have two passed balls, which are tied for third most… had just three passed balls all last year.
HOME AND AWAY: The A’s are 0-3 on their second homestand of the season, a six-game stand against New York-NL (0-3) and Chicago-NL (three games)… went 2-4 on the season-opening six-game homestand against Los Angeles-AL (1-2) and Cleveland (1-2) and are now 2-7 (.222) at home for the season, which is the second lowest home winning percentage in the majors (Royals, 1-9/100)…went 1-6 on their first road trip to Tampa Bay (0-3) and Baltimore (1-3)…leave following the game Wednesday for a seven-game road trip to Texas (three games) and Los Angeles-AL (three games) that starts on Friday.
NIGHT AND DAY: The A’s are 3-5 in night games and 0-8 during the day…the only other team without a win in a day game is the Dodgers, who are 0-3… are batting .300 (86-for-287) with 45 runs in eight night games (5.6 runs per game), .162 (41-for-253) with 17 runs in eight day games (2.1 runs per game)…have the third best night batting average in the majors and the lowest day batting average.
THIS AND THAT: The A’s are 3-9 when the opponent starts a right-handed pitcher, 0-4 when they start a left-hander…are the only team in the majors without a win when the opponent starts a lefty…have a run differential of -63, which is the lowest in the majors (Tigers, -37)…the A’s are 1-4 when scoring six or more runs in a game…the A’s average time of game is 2 hours and 48 minutes, which is second slowest in the majors (Orioles, 2:49)…have not averaged under 2:53 per game since 2010 (2:43).
THE INJURED LIST: The A’s placed Domingo Acevedo on the injured list last Wednesday and now have seven players on the IL (Blackburn, Brown, Piña, Rucinski, Snead, Tarnok)…began the season with five players on the IL after starting the season with three last year…used the IL 31 times last year, which broke the Oakland record of 27 set in 2016 and matched in 2021…however, used the IL nine times for Covid in 2022 and three times in 2021.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: Kyle Muller (0-0, 5.52 ERA)
FOR STARTERS: Is scheduled to make his fourth start of the season and the 15th of his career…was the A’s Opening Day starter and became the first rookie pitcher in Oakland history to make a start on Opening Day…prior to that, the last Athletic rookie to start an opener was Eddie Smith on April 19, 1937 for the Philadelphia A’s…Muller had just 11 career starts entering the opener and the only Opening Day starting pitchers in Oakland history with fewer career starts entering the game are Sonny Gray (2014), Carlos Reyes (1996) and Vida Blue (1971), who all had 10 career starts…at the age of 25 years and 174 days, Muller was the youngest Opening Day starting pitcher for the A’s since Sonny Gray in 2015 (25 years, 150 days)…was the A’s third different Opening Day starting pitcher in the last three years (Montas, Bassitt) and the fifth in the last six (Fiers, Graveman)…begins his third season in the majors and is on his first Opening Day roster…was acquired from Atlanta
in the three-team, nine-player trade on Dec. 12, 2022 that sent Sean Murphy to the Braves.
THIS AND THAT: Opponents are 3-for-19 (.158) with runners in scoring position over his first three starts…allowed a .143 average with RISP last year and has yielded a .159 (10-for-63) average with RISP in his career…has allowed three runs over the first four innings of his starts this year for a 2.25 ERA (3 er in 12.0 ip)…has surrendered four runs in the fifth inning and two in the sixth for a 20.25 ERA (6 er in 2.2 ip) from the fifth inning on.
FIRST START: He had a no decision in the A’s 2-1 win over Los Angeles (AL) on Opening Day, March 30 in Oakland…retired each of the first seven batters and blanked the Angels on two hits over the first four innings…allowed his only run in five innings of work when Urshela singled, advanced to second on a Kemp error and third on a wild pitch before scoring on an O’Hoppe single…the A’s scored twice in the eighth for the win.
SECOND START: He had a no decision in the A’s 6-4 loss to Cleveland in 10 innings April 5 in Oakland…matched his career high with 5.2 innings pitched… did not allow a run over the first five innings, scattering three hits and three walks…retired the first two batters in the sixth inning before hitting Gimenez and allowing a single to Straw…was relieved by Acevedo, who allowed both runners to score, giving the Guardians a 2-0 lead…Cleveland added two more in the seventh before the A’s tied the game with a four-run eighth inning to get him off the hook.
LAST START: He was the losing pitcher in the A’s 12-8 loss at Baltimore last Tuesday…allowed six runs on a career-high seven hits in 4.0 innings of work… Oakland scored once in the first but he allowed a run in the bottom of the first…the A’s took a 2-1 lead in the third but he allowed the tying run in the bottom of the third…had a 7-3 lead entering the bottom of the fifth but allowed a three-run home run to Mouncastle and was relieved by Jackson with no outs and a runner on first.
