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MLB : ATS Matchup
Monday 4/20/2015Line$ LineOU LineScore
CHICAGO CUBS  ARRIETA )
 
PITTSBURGH  BURNETT )
-1.5  +140

+1.5  -160
-105

-105

7ov
 
5
Final
2

CHICAGO CUBS (6 - 5) at PITTSBURGH (6 - 6)
No Previous GameView Next Game
Monday, 4/20/2015 7:05 PM
JAKE ARRIETA (R) vs. A.J. BURNETT (R)
Board OpeningLatest
 LineTotalLineTotal
901CHICAGO CUBS+100Ov 7,+100+110Ov 7,-105
902PITTSBURGH-110Un 7,-120-120Un 7,-115
ADVANCED TEAM STATS
CHICAGO CUBS - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games6-5+0.16-54.10.2270.3080.3720.6803.90.2510.2930.3680.661
Road Games2-1+12-15.30.2420.3300.4340.7655.00.3120.3480.4680.816
vs Right-handed Starters6-4+16-44.40.2320.3120.3900.7023.80.2440.2840.3580.643
Past 7 Games4-3+0.25-24.70.2420.3270.3810.7084.30.2470.2780.3690.647
Grass Games6-5+0.16-54.10.2270.3080.3720.6803.90.2510.2930.3680.661
Night Games3-2+0.42-34.60.2570.3400.4670.8073.40.2570.3000.3520.652
Division3-2+0.41-43.20.2130.2910.3610.6522.40.2150.2660.2850.551
CHICAGO CUBS - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games4.10.2270.3081136683143110.37242439713847858
Road Games5.30.2420.330399243240.4341613234224221
Righty Starters4.40.2320.3121033678143110.39041399012756758
CHICAGO CUBS - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games2.651.01837.311112939323-12250%
Road Games3.271.27311441113111-010100%

PITTSBURGH - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games6-6-0.76-43.80.2220.2680.3550.6233.10.2120.2670.3300.597
Home Games4-2+1.43-23.70.2150.2570.3430.5992.30.2070.2570.2750.532
vs Right-handed Starters6-6-0.76-43.80.2220.2680.3550.6233.10.2120.2670.3300.597
Past 7 Games5-2+2.44-24.60.2360.2700.3730.6422.30.2010.2570.2810.539
Grass Games6-6-0.76-43.80.2220.2680.3550.6233.10.2120.2670.3300.597
Night Games3-4-1.54-33.10.1970.2550.2980.5533.00.2290.2810.3390.620
Division5-4+0.95-24.60.2410.2980.3800.6773.30.2110.2630.3330.597
PITTSBURGH - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games3.80.2220.2681238385150120.35545249876373911
Home Games3.70.2150.2576181395060.3432110334264174
Righty Starters3.80.2220.2681238385150120.35545249876373911
PITTSBURGH - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games2.941.01033.712112529370-32166.7%
Home Games3.520.91315.3661113160-020100%
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
CHICAGO CUBS - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
4/8/2015ARRIETA(R)ST LOUISLYNN(R)2-0W-1156.5 unU221371
4/10/2015WOOD(L)@ COLORADOMATZEK(L)1-5L12510 evU5911180
4/11/2015HAMMEL(R)@ COLORADOKENDRICK(R)9-5W-10510.5 evO12811281
4/12/2015HENDRICKS(R)@ COLORADOLYLES(R)6-5W-1059.5 ovO7501164
4/13/2015LESTER(L)CINCINNATILEAKE(R)7-6W-1407.5 unO10711360
4/14/2015ARRIETA(R)CINCINNATIDESCLAFANI(R)2-3L-1457 unU570750
4/15/2015WOOD(L)CINCINNATIMARQUIS(R)5-0W-1407 unU11100462
4/17/2015HAMMEL(R)SAN DIEGOSHIELDS(R)4-5L-1207.5 ovO771842
4/18/2015HENDRICKS(R)SAN DIEGOROSS(R)7-6W-1157 unO121311051
4/19/2015LESTER(L)SAN DIEGOCASHNER(R)2-5L-1206.5 ovO7901062
4/20/2015ARRIETA(R)@ PITTSBURGHBURNETT(R) 
4/21/2015WOOD(L)@ PITTSBURGHLIRIANO(L) 
4/22/2015HAMMEL(R)@ PITTSBURGHWORLEY(R) 
4/23/2015HENDRICKS(R)@ PITTSBURGHLOCKE(L) 
4/24/2015LESTER(L)@ CINCINNATILEAKE(R) 
4/25/2015ARRIETA(R)@ CINCINNATIDESCLAFANI(R) 
4/26/2015WOOD(L)@ CINCINNATIMARQUIS(R) 
4/27/2015 PITTSBURGH  

PITTSBURGH - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
4/6/2015LIRIANO(L)@ CINCINNATICUETO(R)2-5L1107 unP760530
4/8/2015COLE(R)@ CINCINNATILEAKE(R)4-5L-1207.5 unO811111100
4/9/2015BURNETT(R)@ CINCINNATIDESCLAFANI(R)2-3L-1108 evU661650
4/10/2015LOCKE(L)@ MILWAUKEEFIERS(R)6-2W1207.5 ovO1080990
4/11/2015WORLEY(R)@ MILWAUKEENELSON(R)0-6L1158 unU220730
4/12/2015SADLER(R)@ MILWAUKEELOHSE(R)10-2W1008.5 ovO1340561
4/13/2015COLE(R)DETROITSANCHEZ(R)5-4W-1357.5 unO940730
4/14/2015BURNETT(R)DETROITGREENE(R)0-2L-1107.5 unU3209100
4/15/2015LIRIANO(L)DETROITSIMON(R)0-1L-1457.5 unU220540
4/17/2015WORLEY(R)MILWAUKEENELSON(R)6-3W-1257.5 unO1160881
4/18/2015LOCKE(L)MILWAUKEELOHSE(R)6-2W-1407.5 unO760530
4/19/2015COLE(R)MILWAUKEEGARZA(R)5-2W-1707 unP761642
4/20/2015BURNETT(R)CHICAGO CUBSARRIETA(R) 
4/21/2015LIRIANO(L)CHICAGO CUBSWOOD(L) 
4/22/2015WORLEY(R)CHICAGO CUBSHAMMEL(R) 
4/23/2015LOCKE(L)CHICAGO CUBSHENDRICKS(R) 
4/24/2015COLE(R)@ ARIZONACOLLMENTER(R) 
4/25/2015BURNETT(R)@ ARIZONADE LA ROSA(R) 
4/26/2015LIRIANO(L)@ ARIZONAHELLICKSON(R) 
4/27/2015 @ CHICAGO CUBS  
KEY GAME INFORMATION
CHICAGO CUBS: CHICAGO (AP) - Standing in the shade on a beautiful afternoon in Arizona, Jon Lester embraced the question that hovers over the Chicago Cubs these days.
When it comes to all those highly touted prospects, Lester said the time is now.
''When I played in Boston, we didn't have time to grow up,'' the left-hander explained. ''You just had to show up and play, and each year you're expected to win, so that's how I feel. Every year they should come in and expect to be not only division winners, but World Series champions. If you don't have that mindset, then I think you're playing for the wrong reasons.''
Heady stuff for a franchise known mostly for futility, but the Cubs think it's a new era after five consecutive losing seasons.
The shift in thinking for president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and the rest of the front office was evident during an aggressive offseason that included the addition of Joe Maddon after the veteran manager opted out of his contract with Tampa Bay, and a $155 million, six-year contract to add Lester.
The hiring of Maddon meant dumping Rick Renteria after just one year, and Lester's deal is a significant investment for a pitcher who turned 31 in January. But looking at their good young core and rich minor league system, the Cubs felt it was time to act.
''There's a lot of talent here. Now it's about executing,'' Lester said. ''It's going out and playing good baseball for six months. It's hard to do. But that's why we're here. We're going to figure it out as we go.''
The Cubs, who also acquired center fielder Dexter Fowler and catcher Miguel Montero in trades, should be much improved after their 73-89 finish in 2014. But going from last place to the playoffs could depend more on the development of Chicago's top prospects than its newest players.
Jorge Soler takes over in right field after making his major league debut in August and drawing raves for his approach at the plate in the season's final month. Javier Baez, Arismendy Alcantara and Kris Bryant - all 20-something position players with considerable potential - also are key to the Cubs' chance for a breakthrough.
''You don't really read enough about their personalities and their makeup. That to me makes them real prospects,'' Maddon said. ''There's a lot of guys who throw 95 mph and hit balls out of sight. But with the makeup, personality and character ... that's what really turns me on to this group.''
Here are a few more things to watch with the Cubs:
UNDER THE RADAR: Jake Arrieta was a pleasant surprise, finishing with a 10-5 record and a sparkling 2.53 ERA in 25 starts last year. He struck out 167 in 156 2-3 innings and allowed just five homers.
Arrieta, 29, began last season on the disabled list with right shoulder tightness but looked healthy this spring and could team with Lester to give Chicago a potent top of the rotation.
''There's always room to improve. There's always things to get better at,'' Arrieta said. ''There's a right way to go about doing that, and I think that there's some things that I can clean up and kind of use in regard to what I did last season to make it even better.''
AT THE PLATE: The Cubs struck out a major league-high 1,477 times last season, and their .300 on-base percentage was 28th among 30 teams. They had six players with at least 100 strikeouts.
The addition of Fowler, who had a .375 on-base percentage last season with Houston, should help the top of the order, and the pressure is on new hitting coach John Mallee to help Baez and the other young hitters make more consistent contact.
IN THE DUGOUT: Maddon is one of the game's most creative managers, and the move to the NL and one of the game's most quirky ballparks in Wrigley Field could lead to all sorts of different lineups. He could put the pitcher in the eighth slot in the lineup in some situations. Pretty much everything is on the table when it comes to Maddon.
IN THE FIELD: The majors' second-oldest ballpark is undergoing a major renovation that could affect its notoriously fickle wind, which can turn innocent fly balls into homers and long drives into outs. A massive new videoboard is expected to be in place by opening day, but the bleachers will be under construction for the first part of the season. How the work on the ballpark affects the the field remains to be seen.
PITTSBURGH: PITTSBURGH (AP) - The scenario was familiar. The destination not so much.
A veteran player with not much time left leaving millions of dollars on the table for one last run to glory. Only A.J. Burnett didn't walk away from his $12.75 million player option with the Philadelphia Phillies for Los Angeles, Washington or St. Louis.
Nope, the 38-year-old well-traveled (and well tattooed) pitcher practically sprinted to Pittsburgh. His arrival in 2012 marked a sea change in the once-floundering organization's direction. His return three years later signals - he hopes - the end of the team's slow but steady slog from downtrodden afterthought to world champion. And he's not kidding.
''I want to win a ring and I want to win a ring in Pittsburgh,'' Burnett said.
The Pirates are as close to being in the conversation as they've been in nearly a quarter century. And they've opened up their wallets, at least a little, to get there. Pittsburgh made Francisco Liriano the highest-paid free agent in team history when they signed lefthander to a three-year, $39-million deal in the offseason to continue the career resurgence that began when they took a two-year flier on him in 2013. And while Burnett took a cut, he isn't exactly going broke. He'll make $8 million to work as the third man in the rotation behind Liriano and Gerrit Cole.
Pittsburgh even spent $5 million for the rights to sign Korean infielder Jung-Ho Kang, who hit 40 home runs on the other side of the world last year and gives the Pirates an intriguing if unproven option should shortstop Jordy Mercer falter or second baseman Neil Walker's back flare up.
General manager Neal Huntington remains adamant his team's budget will never compare to those of clubs in larger markets but allows there is ''more margin for error'' than in years' past.
''We've built a deeper club because of the money allocated to us,'' he said. ''But we need to continue to grow and mature. We want to put ourselves in a position to win the World Series.''
There are worse places to start than in Pittsburgh, which backed up its breakthrough year in 2013 with a second straight postseason berth in 2014. The playoff run ended abruptly against Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants in the NL wild card game. Yet the point had been made. The Pirates aren't going anywhere.
''It would've been easy to say 2013 was a fluke and we just got lucky,'' centerfielder Andrew McCutchen said. ''But we showed up in `14 and were able to do the same thing. We know we're for real. And other teams know they just can't come in (thinking), `All right, we're going to beat the Pirates.' We're not that team anymore.''
They're also not where they want to be, at least not yet. A National League Central title would avoid the fickleness of a one-game scenario. Pittsburgh believes it's built to withstand the rigors of October.
Here are the keys to getting there:
---
THE OTHER FRANCISCO
The Pirates' budget might be growing, but they still couldn't afford to keep catcher Russell Martin, who parlayed his tremendous 2014 into a $82 million deal with Toronto. Pittsburgh prepared for Martin's departure by trading for longtime Yankees' backup catcher Francisco Cervelli. When healthy Cervelli is an adequate defensive replacement with a decent if not powerful bat. If he can handle the pitching staff and control the basepaths, any offense he provides would be a plus.
---
SPEED TO BURN
Perennial MVP candidate McCutchen anchors one of baseball's most athletic outfields. Starling Marte surged toward the end of a bumpy 2014 and Gregory Polanco is a raw but talented work in progress. Pittsburgh felt confident enough in Polanco's progress to trade Travis Snider to Baltimore.
---
PEDRO'S PROGRESS
Pedro Alvarez moves across the infield to first base in hopes of salvaging his career after developing a serious case of the yips at third. If his can reclaim the groove that helped him mash 36 homers in 2013, the Pirates can live with whatever growing pains may come with the switch.
---
KANG SHOW
Kang (pronounced ''Gahng'') doesn't lack for confidence. He told reporters in Korea he believes he can supplant Mercer at shortstop. It may take longer than he thought after a sluggish spring training.
---
THE VANIMAL
Vance Worley, like Liriano, Burnett and the since departed Edinson Volquez, thrived under pitching coach Ray Searage's mentoring last spring. He was arguably Pittsburgh's best starter down the stretch and a strong spring gives him a leg up in the battle Jeff Locke for the fifth starter spot.
PREVIEW
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW (CHICAGO CUBS-PITTSBURGH) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Cubs-Pirates Preview* ======================

By KEVIN CHROUST STATS Writer

Chicago (6-4) at Pittsburgh (5-6), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Cubs are over .500 two weeks into the season for the first time since 2009, which also happens to be the last time they finished over .500.

If they'd like to remain there Monday night as they open a four-game road set against the Pittsburgh Pirates, they'll probably have to provide Jake Arrieta with a little more offense than they have in his first two starts.

With Jon Lester struggling through his first three starts, Arrieta (1-1, 1.98 ERA) has thus far been the club's top starter, though he's received two runs of support in 13 2-3 innings. All three runs he's allowed came in one inning of Tuesday's 3-2 home loss to Cincinnati. The right-hander surrendered seven hits in 6 2-3 innings for his first defeat in six starts dating to last season, over which he's 4-1 with a 1.29 ERA and .172 opponent batting average.

He's also 3-0 with a 3.13 ERA in four starts against Pittsburgh while limiting Neil Walker to 1 for 12 and Pedro Alvarez to 1 for 8.

Offensively, Chicago (6-5) remains inconsistent. After winning consecutive series, the Cubs fell 5-2 to San Diego on Sunday and dropped two of three to the Padres. They're batting .227 and .208 with runners in scoring position, though it sounds like manager Joe Maddon expects that to improve with Kris Bryant becoming more comfortable.

The rookie third baseman doubled against the Padres and is 3 for 6 with three walks since going 0 for 4 in his debut Friday.

"It's not always about getting hits. His at-bats just kept getting better," Maddon told MLB's official website. "The bat speed's really good. More than anything, the fact that he maintained a structured strike zone and would not get out of his own zone, he was just fine."

The Pirates (6-6) have won 14 of 20 meetings in Pittsburgh over the past two seasons while limiting the Cubs to 2.50 runs per game. They were 14-5 overall against Chicago a season ago.

A.J. Burnett, however, has been beatable for the Cubs lately. The veteran right-hander started his career with a 6-0 record through seven starts. Since, he's 1-4 with a 3.82 ERA in six starts, including a pair of losses a season ago while pitching for Philadelphia. Starlin Castro is batting .448 (13 for 29) against him and fellow infielder Jonathan Herrera is 4 for 4.

Burnett (0-1, 2.25) has pitched well in his return to Pittsburgh, though he too has only received two runs of support through 12 innings. He was stuck with the decision in Tuesday's 2-0 home loss to Detroit after yielding a run and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. He's struck out 15 batters and walked three.

"He was able to make his pitches, get his fastball in locations he wanted to," manager Clint Hurdle said. "His breaking ball had real good depth and tilt. ... Very efficient. Very strong outing."

The Pirates' starting pitching has been impressive since before Burnett's last start with the rotation combining for a 1.86 ERA in the last six games. They completed a three-game home sweep of Milwaukee with Sunday's 5-2 victory.

Pittsburgh is hitting just .222 but is at .293 with runners in scoring position. The middle of the order is yet to really get going with Andrew McCutchen (.211), Walker (.238) and Starling Marte (.171) all struggling. McCutchen is batting .389 with four homers in his last 13 games against Chicago, and Marte's .312 career average against the Cubs is his best against any NL Central opponent.


Last Updated: 3/29/2024 7:32:52 AM EST.


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