After a rainy loss on Monday night, the Chicago Cubs battled back against the mighty Philadelphia Phillies and have given themselves a chance to win the series this afternoon. No matter what happens, though, they’ve ensured that this will not be their third series loss of the year. That’s pretty nice.
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Despite their mostly winning ways, the Chicago Cubs (15-12) will likely be angling to stop those pesky early runs from scoring today. If you’ve been keeping track at home, Cubs’ starters have allowed a run in the first inning twelve out of their last fifteen games and fifteen times overall.
In the first inning alone, opposing batters are hitting .339/.401/.732 (.468 wOBA) off Cubs’ pitchers. That’s … not good.
As I'm sure you can imagine, the Chicago Cubs 11.00 first inning ERA is the worst in Major League Baseball.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) May 4, 2017
But what’s weirder about this, is that from the second inning on, including extras, the Cubs pitching staff has been dynamite:
But from the second inning on (including extras) their 3.06 ERA is second BEST in baseball. That's weird. This is weird.
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) May 4, 2017
Opposing hitters are slashing just .219/.298/.365 (.290 wOBA), during that stretch of the game, which is the third best mark in the Majors. I’m not entirely sure what’s causing all of the first inning troubles, but it is so very pronounced (and weird).
Hopefully John Lackey, who takes the mound for the Cubs today, can stop the trend. He’ll be throwing to Miguel Montero, as a slew of regulars (Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, and Kyle Schwarber) get the day off.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (15-12) at Philadelphia Phillies (12-14) – 1:20 CT on WGN, 670 The Score
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.
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Starting Pitchers
Cubs: John Lackey (R): 5.10 ERA, 4.95 FIP, 3.58 xFIP; 3.33 K/BB
versus
Phillies: Zach Eflin (R): 1.89 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 4.66 xFIP; 3.67 K/BB
Philadelphia Phillies:
- Cesar Hernandez, 2B
- Aaron Altherr, LF
- Odubel Herrera, CF
- Maikel Franco, 3B
- Michael Saunders, RF
- Tommy Joseph, 1B
- Cameron Rupp, C
- Freddy Galvis, SS
- Zach Eflin, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Jon Jay, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Miguel Montero, C
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- John Lackey, P
- Matt Szczur, RF