NEWSLETTER
And then they came crashing down to Earth.
After a four-game series-winning streak (5 of 6 series wins, too!) the Cubs were swept in four straight games by the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Now, they’ll head home for their final stretch of games before the All-Star break, with two against the poor, weak, downtrodden Orioles and four against the Mets.
Just kidding! The Orioles are awesome now. They’ve won eight games in a row and have gone 22-14 since the beginning of June. They are much better at home (25-17) than on the road (18-27) … so maybe that’ll make a difference? Good luck, Cubs!
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (34-52) have lost four straight games, falling back behind the Pirates in the NL Central. At this point, we’re just counting down the days until the Trade Deadline.
The Baltimore Orioles (43-44) are just a game under .500 after winning eight games in a row. They’re only 2.0 games out of a wild card spot now, though that’s behind all four teams in their division.
Hot or Not and What to Watch
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle is on a nice little tear, slashing .316/.357/.553 (151 wRC+) over the last two weeks. But that’s pretty much it for the Orioles. Cedric Mullins (121 wRC+), Trey Mancini (119 wRC+), and Rougned Odor (109 wRC+) are also all above average offensively these last two weeks, but that’s not a dominant offense. It’s been quiet and their success has been built on pitching.
For example, Dean Kremer has made an impressive six starts (1.62 ERA) over the last month, as has Wednesday’s starter, Spenser Watkins (3 starts, 1.02 ERA). Jordan Lyles, who’s starting tonight, has made four straight starts of at least 6.0 IP (2.81 ERA during that stretch), turning around what was a very rough start to the season.
Adrian Sampson is good at baseball.
Since returning from the IL, Seiya Suzuki is slashing .333/.391/.667 (191 wRC+) with more walks (2) than strikeouts (1) in 23 plate appearances. Good start!
Yo, Nico Hoerner is turning into something.
Game Times and Broadcast Info
Pitching Probables
Game 1:Â Adrian Sampson (RHP) vs. Jordan Lyles (RHP)
Game 2: TBD vs. Spenser Watkins (RHP)
Chicago Cubs:
Injured/Unavailable: Nick Madrigal, Frank Schwindel, Jason Heyward, Wade Miley, Daniel Norris, Alec Mills, Kyle Hendricks, Adbert Alzolay, Brad Wieck, Codi Heuer, Manuel Rodriguez, Ethan Roberts
Baltimore Orioles:
Injured/Unavailable: Kyle Bradish, Alexander Wells, John Means, Chris Ellis, Travis Lankins Sr.
By the Numbers
Run Differential:
Cubs: -69
Orioles: -14
Runs Scored Per Game:
Cubs: 4.37
Orioles: 4.14
Runs Allowed Per Game:
Cubs: 5.17
Orioles: 4.30
