NEWSLETTER
The Cubs have just nine games left at Wrigley Field this season, and this is one of them.
Marcus Stroman is taking the mound for his 22nd start of the year, following a short, ineffective outing against the Giants: 4.0 IP, 7H, 4ER, 1BB, 4Ks. Of course that game was right after one of his best starts of the year against the Cardinals: 7.0 IP, 5H, 0ER, 0BB, 5Ks. We talked about it in the series preview this morning – Stroman has been up and down for about seven straight starts now, following a really great bounce back from the IL. Given his importance to the 2023 season, you certainly hope to see him finish strong.
German Márquez remains resilient, making his 163rd start since the start of the 2017 season (4th most in MLB), but the results have really fallen off: 5.25 ERA (4.67 xERA). The strikeout rate has completely evaporated from 28.2% at his peak (2018) to 18.6% this season. The walks have increased, the EV is up, the launch angle is up, the barrel rate is up, the hard hit rate is literally the worst in MLB. Basically, he’s a rubber arm. In every sense of the word.
Hopefully, the Cubs can take advantage.
No Kris Bryant in this one, as he’s been on the IL for over a month, for the second time this season.
Game Info
Colorado Rockies (62-81) at Chicago Cubs (61-82) – Friday, September 16 at 1:20 CT on Marquee, MLBN, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Rockies: German Márquez, RHP
Cubs: Marcus Stroman, RHP
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
- Zach McKinstry, 2B
- Ian Happ, LF
- Yan Gomes, C
- Franmil Reyes, DH
- David Bote, 3B
- Jared Young, 1B
- Michael Hermosillo, CF
- Nelson Velázquez, RF
- Chris Morel, SS
Colorado Rockies:
- Ryan McMahon, 3B
- Yonathan Daza, LF
- C.J. Cron, 1B
- Brendan Rodgers, 2B
- Randal Grichuk, CF
- Michael Toglia, RF
- Connor Joe, DH
- Alan Trejo, SS
- Brian Serven, C
