Yesterday, we had our eye on Zach Davies, in particular, as he approaches the trade deadline as a movable piece of this selling Chicago Cubs team. Today, we’ll have our eye locked into the Cubs pitcher again, but this time with an eye on his own future.
Alec Mills has rejoined the Cubs rotation in mid-June and is playing to earn a spot there for next season. And while every start hasn’t gone as well as you’d like, he has flashed long-term back of the rotation stuff, and has even grown a fair bit since the 2020 season. For example, Mills has struck out 31 batters in just 28.2 IP this year, good for a 25% strikeout rate. Last season, by contrast, he had an 18.3% strikeout rate over 11 starts. That is a MASSIVE difference.
Let’s hope he dominates once again today and finishes the season strong. Go Cubs.
Game Info
Arizona Diamondbacks (30-69) at Chicago Cubs (48-50) – Saturday, July 24th at 1:20 CT on MARQ, MLBN, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly (R)
versus
Cubs: Alec Mills (R)
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
1. Rafael Ortega, CF
2. Kris Bryant, LF
3. Javy Baez, SS
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Willson Contreras, C
6. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
7. Jason Heyward, RF
8. Nico Hoerner, 2B
9. Alec Mills, P
Arizona Diamondbacks:
1. Josh VanMeter, 2B
2. Kole Calhoun, RF
3. Eduardo Escobar, 3B
4. Christian Walker, 1B
5. David Peralta, LF
6. Pavin Smith, CF
7. Nick Ahmed, SS
8. Daulton Varsho, C
9. Merrill Kelly, P