NEWSLETTER
Oh thank God we’re done with the big, bad Cincinnati Reds right?!
The Cubs have lost just two series in the past seven weeks, both to the Reds. So, yeah, nice to be rid of them, even if it means a trip to Houston, and even if just because we’re annoyed.
When you were looking ahead at the scheduled earlier this year, I’m sure we saw these two series very differently. And yet I’m glad to get rid of the Cincinnati Reds, even if it’s for the first-place Houston Astros. OK, I kid … mostly.
Although the Astros do present a particular challenge – they’re very good, once again – the Cubs aren’t without some luck this week:
The Cubs are playing the big bad Astros this week, HOWEVA, they'll be missing Jose Altuve (rehab assignment), George Springer (10-day IL), and Justin Verlander (not scheduled to pitch this series).
That's as good as it gets, so take advantage. #Cubs
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) May 27, 2019
They’ll also be without Aledmys Diaz (hamstring).
Of course, the Cubs may well be without a 100% Kris Bryant, themselves, Jon Lester hasn’t quite been himself, and this series is in Houston, so … it’s not exactly ideal.
Happy Memorial Day, folks.
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (30-21)Â have lost just two series since the beginning of April, but both have come against the Cincinnati Reds. That’s not great. They just wrapped up a 3-4 homestand.
The Houston Astros (35-19) just beat the Boston Red Sox in a three-game set and have a commanding lead out in the AL West. But even the White Sox were able to take two (of four) from them last week, so it’s not like they’re invincible.
Game Times and Broadcasts Info
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Cole Hames (L) v. Gerrit Cole (R)
Game 2: Jon Lester (L) v. Corbin Martin (R)
Game 3:Â Kyle Hendricks (R) v. Wade Miley (L)
Chicago Cubs
Unavailable: Xavier Cedeno, Pedro Strop, Allen Webster, Tony Barnette, Brandon Morrow, Ben Zobrist
Cincinnati Reds
Unavailable: Jose Altuve, Colin McHugh, George Springer, Max Stassi, Aledmys Diaz
Keep An Eye Out For …
Cubs Pitcher: Jon Lester has had rough back-to-back starts. After six solid starts at the beginning of the year (the injury, notwithstanding), Lester has failed to go 5.0 innings twice in a row and allowed a combined 17 hits and 9 earned runs. The good news is that he walked only two batters, but there was just so much hard contact in the air. The bad news is that the Houston Astros have the best offense in baseball (126 wRC+) … and it’s even better against lefties (134 wRC+).
At least, Jose Altuve (207 wRC+ v. LHP) and George Springer (170 wRC+ v LHP) will be gone, but Jake Marisnick (226 wRC+), Josh Reddick (223 wRC+), and Carlos Correa (182 wRC+) have actually all been just as good or better.
Cubs Player:Â Although we all love to cut Albert Almora’s stats off after that April 25th home run (135 wRC+) – which is now officially over 100 plate appearances ago, by the way – we can do him more justice than that. How about this: Albert Almora has been an above-average offensive player (102 wRC+) since all the way back on April 5th – 20 days before he took off. With his glove in center field, that’ll play. Completely. He’s still only at 89 wRC+ for the season (because his start was so rough), but he’s been getting the results for a while now.
Astros Pitcher: Gerrit Cole might not have the results this season (4.11 ERA), but his 3.01 FIP tells a very different story. But, hey, his last time out, he was tagged for 6 earned runs (including two homers) … by the White Sox. So, yeah, he’s not perfect.
Astros Player: George Springer has actually been the 6th best hitter in baseball this year, one spot ahead of Willson Contreras on the wRC+ leaderboard, but he’ll be gone this series as we’ve discussed. So that means Alex Bregman, one spot behind Kris Bryant on the same leaderboard, is the Astros best hitter at the moment. And even though he hasn’t been hitting for much average or power over his last two series (Red Sox and White Sox), he still has a .400 OBP during that stretch, because he’s walking at a 20% clip.
