Reminder: Tonight’s game is being broadcast (for free) on AppleTV+. You do need the Apple TV app and an Apple ID to log in (so prepare yourself accordingly), but it won’t cost any money to sign up.
Our old friend Zach Davies is on the mound for the Diamondbacks tonight. And he’s actually having a pretty nice season overall: Six starts, 29.2 IP, 22Ks to 13BBs, with a 3.34 ERA. Indeed, his most recent start against the Rockies (6.1 IP, 3H, 0ER, 2BB, 6Ks) was a better start by Game Score than all but two of his 32 starts with the Cubs last year. He’s still pretty incapable of striking batters out (and his command issues are ever present), but Davies is allowing WAY less hard contact this season (84.5 MPH average EV, 28.4 hard%) than last year (89.8 MPH, 42.8 hard%).
The Cubs will counter with Drew Smyly, who keeps quietly humming along with his 4-5 inning outings, typically with 1-2 walks, 4 Ks, and a 2-3 ER. It’s nothing special, but he has been stable and predictable, which has some value. Note that the Diamondbacks have been one of the worst offenses against left-handed pitching this season, so maybe this is the time for Smyly to do a little more than usual.
Go Cubs.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (11-19) at Arizona Diamondbacks (17-15) – Thursday, May 13 at 8:40 CT on AppleTV+, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Diamondbacks: Zach Davies (R)
versus
Cubs: Drew Smyly (L)
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
1. Rafael Ortega, RF
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Ian Happ, LF
4. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
5. Alfonso Rivas, 1B
6. Frank Schwindel, DH
7. Jason Heyward, CF
8. Jonathan Villar, 2B
9. Ildemaro Vargas, SS
Arizona Diamondbacks:
1. Cooper Hummel, LF
2. Jordan Luplow, CF
3. Ketel Marte, 2B
4. Christian Walker, 1B
5. Pavin Smith, RF
6. Daulton Varsho, C
7. Josh Rojas, 3B
8. Seth Beer, DH
9. Geraldo Perdomo, SS