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CHICAGO CUBS ( LESTER )
ST LOUIS ( LACKEY ) |
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6.5un
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Final
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| NL Division Series - Best of 5 - Game 1 | |  | |
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| 905 | CHICAGO CUBS | -105 | Ov 7,+100 | +100 | Ov 6.5,+105 | | 906 | ST LOUIS | -105 | Un 7,-120 | -110 | Un 6.5,-125 |
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| All Games | 98-65 | +17.9 | 72-82 | 4.3 | 0.244 | 0.314 | 0.398 | 0.712 | 3.7 | 0.232 | 0.285 | 0.371 | 0.656 | | Road Games | 49-33 | +14.7 | 38-38 | 4.5 | 0.250 | 0.315 | 0.399 | 0.713 | 3.7 | 0.234 | 0.288 | 0.362 | 0.650 | | vs Right-handed Starters | 78-51 | +13.8 | 57-65 | 4.4 | 0.246 | 0.316 | 0.409 | 0.725 | 3.6 | 0.228 | 0.281 | 0.362 | 0.643 | | Past 7 Games | 7-0 | +7 | 2-4 | 4.7 | 0.264 | 0.343 | 0.397 | 0.740 | 1.3 | 0.149 | 0.172 | 0.205 | 0.377 | | Grass Games | 98-65 | +17.9 | 72-82 | 4.3 | 0.244 | 0.314 | 0.398 | 0.712 | 3.7 | 0.232 | 0.285 | 0.371 | 0.656 | | Night Games | 60-35 | +20 | 41-49 | 4.4 | 0.251 | 0.319 | 0.408 | 0.728 | 3.7 | 0.228 | 0.283 | 0.356 | 0.640 | | Division | 47-30 | +11.8 | 34-37 | 4.3 | 0.255 | 0.326 | 0.399 | 0.726 | 3.8 | 0.229 | 0.283 | 0.355 | 0.638 | | Playoff games | 1-0 | +1 | 0-1 | 4.0 | 0.219 | 0.265 | 0.406 | 0.671 | 0.0 | 0.133 | 0.133 | 0.133 | 0.267 |
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| All Games | 4.3 | 0.244 | 0.314 | 163 | 5523 | 1345 | 272 | 30 | 173 | 0.398 | 662 | 569 | 1528 | 96 | 1169 | 125 | 113 | 122 | 137 | | Road Games | 4.5 | 0.250 | 0.315 | 82 | 2910 | 727 | 160 | 15 | 81 | 0.399 | 350 | 276 | 812 | 53 | 610 | 62 | 62 | 70 | 55 | | Righty Starters | 4.4 | 0.246 | 0.316 | 129 | 4389 | 1081 | 212 | 26 | 150 | 0.409 | 539 | 449 | 1182 | 78 | 917 | 101 | 92 | 97 | 122 |
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| All Games | 3.37 | 1.228 | 514.7 | 223 | 193 | 449 | 42 | 183 | 511 | 37-26 | 48 | 19 | 71.6% | | Road Games | 3.27 | 1.258 | 239.3 | 101 | 87 | 208 | 13 | 93 | 231 | 13-15 | 28 | 9 | 75.7% |
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| All Games | 101-61 | +25.3 | 66-85 | 4.0 | 0.253 | 0.316 | 0.394 | 0.710 | 3.2 | 0.247 | 0.306 | 0.366 | 0.673 | | Home Games | 55-26 | +16.9 | 28-46 | 3.9 | 0.262 | 0.327 | 0.398 | 0.726 | 3.1 | 0.248 | 0.301 | 0.364 | 0.664 | | vs Left-handed Starters | 25-18 | +3.4 | 18-23 | 4.0 | 0.247 | 0.312 | 0.377 | 0.689 | 3.7 | 0.256 | 0.319 | 0.375 | 0.694 | | Past 7 Games | 2-5 | -4.8 | 3-4 | 2.9 | 0.211 | 0.274 | 0.373 | 0.647 | 4.1 | 0.258 | 0.335 | 0.440 | 0.775 | | Grass Games | 101-61 | +25.3 | 66-85 | 4.0 | 0.253 | 0.316 | 0.394 | 0.710 | 3.2 | 0.247 | 0.306 | 0.366 | 0.673 | | Night Games | 72-40 | +24.1 | 49-54 | 4.2 | 0.256 | 0.320 | 0.397 | 0.717 | 3.2 | 0.248 | 0.303 | 0.365 | 0.668 | | Division | 47-29 | +11 | 36-37 | 4.0 | 0.245 | 0.309 | 0.380 | 0.689 | 3.4 | 0.243 | 0.308 | 0.365 | 0.673 |
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| All Games | 4.0 | 0.253 | 0.316 | 162 | 5483 | 1385 | 289 | 38 | 137 | 0.394 | 618 | 506 | 1267 | 69 | 1152 | 156 | 96 | 159 | 51 | | Home Games | 3.9 | 0.262 | 0.327 | 81 | 2671 | 701 | 147 | 18 | 60 | 0.398 | 301 | 258 | 578 | 32 | 581 | 82 | 48 | 73 | 25 | | Lefty Starters | 4.0 | 0.247 | 0.312 | 43 | 1479 | 366 | 58 | 8 | 39 | 0.377 | 171 | 139 | 364 | 23 | 301 | 49 | 25 | 46 | 16 |
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| All Games | 2.80 | 1.289 | 485 | 171 | 151 | 442 | 39 | 183 | 466 | 28-20 | 62 | 14 | 81.6% | | Home Games | 2.57 | 1.248 | 255.7 | 82 | 73 | 241 | 19 | 78 | 221 | 18-8 | 35 | 7 | 83.3% |
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| 9/25/2015 | LESTER(L) | PITTSBURGH | COLE(R) | 2-3 | L | -115 | 6.5 un | U | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | | 9/26/2015 | HAMMEL(R) | PITTSBURGH | LIRIANO(L) | 0-4 | L | +100 | 7.5 un | U | 4 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 0 | | 9/27/2015 | ARRIETA(R) | PITTSBURGH | BURNETT(R) | 4-0 | W | -175 | 7 ov | U | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | | 9/28/2015 | HENDRICKS(R) | KANSAS CITY | VENTURA(R) | 1-0 | W | +105 | 8 un | U | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 | | 9/29/2015 | HAREN(R) | @ CINCINNATI | SMITH(R) | 4-1 | W | -135 | 8.5 ov | U | 8 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | | 9/30/2015 | LESTER(L) | @ CINCINNATI | DESCLAFANI(R) | 10-3 | W | -155 | 7 ov | O | 16 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | | 10/1/2015 | HAMMEL(R) | @ CINCINNATI | LAMB(L) | 5-3 | W | -115 | 7.5 un | O | 8 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 0 | | 10/2/2015 | ARRIETA(R) | @ MILWAUKEE | PENA(R) | 6-1 | W | -235 | 7 ov | P | 10 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | | 10/3/2015 | HENDRICKS(R) | @ MILWAUKEE | WAGNER(R) | 1-0 | W | -190 | 8 ev | U | 8 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | 10/4/2015 | HAREN(R) | @ MILWAUKEE | LOPEZ(R) | 3-1 | W | -130 | 8 ov | U | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | | 10/7/2015 | ARRIETA(R) | @ PITTSBURGH | COLE(R) | 4-0 | W | -125 | 5.5 un | U | 7 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | | 10/9/2015 | LESTER(L) | @ ST LOUIS | LACKEY(R) | |
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| 9/25/2015 | MARTINEZ(R) | MILWAUKEE | PENA(R) | 3-4 | L | -220 | 7 un | P | 9 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 1 | | 9/26/2015 | GARCIA(L) | MILWAUKEE | WAGNER(R) | 5-1 | W | -225 | 7.5 un | U | 8 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 1 | | 9/27/2015 | LACKEY(R) | MILWAUKEE | CRAVY(R) | 4-8 | L | -220 | 7.5 un | O | 10 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 1 | | 9/28/2015 | LYNN(R) | @ PITTSBURGH | HAPP(L) | 3-0 | W | 130 | 7 ov | U | 6 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 16 | 1 | | 9/30/2015 | WACHA(R) | @ PITTSBURGH | COLE(R) | 2-8 | L | 145 | 6.5 un | O | 8 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 0 | | 9/30/2015 | LYONS(L) | @ PITTSBURGH | MORTON(R) | 11-1 | W | 115 | 7.5 un | O | 12 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | | 10/2/2015 | GARCIA(L) | @ ATLANTA | TEHERAN(R) | 0-4 | L | -120 | 6.5 un | U | 5 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 12 | 0 | | 10/4/2015 | LACKEY(R) | @ ATLANTA | MILLER(R) | 0-6 | L | -145 | 7 un | U | 3 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 2 | | 10/4/2015 | LYNN(R) | @ ATLANTA | WISLER(R) | 0-2 | L | -135 | 7.5 un | U | 4 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 0 | | 10/9/2015 | LACKEY(R) | CHICAGO CUBS | LESTER(L) | |
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| |  | 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. | | ST LOUIS: ST. LOUIS (AP) - The Cardinals hope Michael Wacha is ready to stand alongside ace Adam Wainwright at the top of their rotation.
Wacha was the NL Championship Series MVP as a rookie but just 5-6 with a 3.20 ERA in 19 starts last year. He was sidelined for most of the season's second half by a stress reaction in his shoulder, and was rusty in October before giving up Travis Ishikawa's series-winning homer in Game 5 of the NLCS.
Now he feels healthy.
''It's very encouraging, the long term of what this kid could be and the short term of how he feels, somebody every fifth day that can bring the kind of stuff he does,'' St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. ''He feels good about himself and we feel good about what we're seeing.''
The 23-year-old Wacha has long insisted the injury is behind him.
''Ever since I came back last year, I haven't thought about it when I was on the mound,'' Wacha said. ''As far as I know, it was a rare injury. I'm not sure where it came from.''
If it stays away, the Cardinals figure to again have one of the deeper starting staffs despite trading 15-game winner Shelby Miller for outfielder Jason Heyward. Wainwright was a 20-game winner for the second time, and Lance Lynn has averaged 16 wins during three years in the rotation.
John Lackey is a proven late-season talent. Jaime Garcia's resurgent spring following surgery to relieve nerve compression may cause promising Carlos Martinez to be related to the bullpen again.
Lackey expects to be more comfortable in his first full NL season, saying ''It's different for a lot of reasons.''
Things to watch for with the Cardinals, who open April 5 at Chicago:
LEFT-HANDED HEAVY
There are five lefty bats in the lineup, a potential downside. But there also figures to be more power on the bench. Mark Reynolds, who has hit 20 or more homers each of the last seven seasons, was signed as a free agent. He could factor in as a semi-regular, especially at first base, where Matt Adams has struggled against lefties.
HEYWARD TIME
Only 25, Heyward is a potential future core member of the franchise. His is eligible for free agency after the World Series, and the wooing began not long after the trade with Atlanta - which also brought set-up man Jordan Walden.
''He fits in very well with how our guys work, how seriously they take the game,'' Matheny said. ''He's mixed in very well to this point.''
IMPROVED POP
St. Louis hit just 105 homers last season, second-fewest in the majors. They Cardianls are anticipating more out of right field from Heyward, who had a career-low 11 last year while forced into the leadoff spot with Atlanta. Jhonny Peralta followed his drug suspension with a 21 homers, a franchise record among shortstops, and the smooth-swinging Adams is capable of hitting a lot more than 15.
HEALTHY CHOICES
A full return by Garcia would be an unexpected bonus after two injury-filled seasons. Wainwright and Lynn are recovering from health setbacks early in spring training. Center fielder Jon Jay made a delayed exhibition debut following wrist surgery. ''I said the whole goal was to be ready April 5,'' Jay said.
MORE SPEED
Along with increasing the power profile, there will be an emphasis on manufacturing runs. The Cardinals stole 57 bases last year, third-fewest in the major leagues, but are primed for at least a little more thievery with both Wong and Heyward capable of swiping 20-plus.
''I want to see bigger leads. I want to see more aggressive chances with balls in the dirt,'' Matheny said. ''I want to see us take a first-and-second double steal because we have the kind of players to do that.'' |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW (CHICAGO CUBS-ST LOUIS) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(With AP Photos.)
*Cubs-Cardinals Preview* ========================
By R.B. FALLSTROM AP Sports Writer
Chicago (97-65) at St. Louis (100-62), 6:45 p.m. EDT
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- John Lackey has been quite the bargain for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pitching for the major league minimum $507,500 salary due to a clause in contract, Lackey went 13-10 for a team that lost its ace early. And when old rivals face each other in a postseason series for the first time Friday, he'll be pitching against an old buddy.
The 36-year-old Lackey will oppose the Chicago Cubs' Jon Lester, a duo that formed a devastating one-two for the Red Sox in the 2013 World Series.
"I'd like to say I was surprised, but I'm not," Lackey said Thursday. "He's good. No accident people running into each other this time of year."
Lackey had a career-best 2.77 ERA and consistently went deep for the 100-win Cardinals, stepping up as the de facto ace after Adam Wainwright tore his left Achilles in late April.
He has earned this slot, the crusty, bulldog demeanor reminding management of former star pitcher Chris Carpenter.
Lackey was paid $82.5 million the previous five years under a contract he signed with Boston, which included a conditional club option for 2015 at the minimum. That condition was met when he missed 2012 while recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery.
St. Louis acquired him from the Red Sox on July 31, 2014. Lackey can become a free agent again this fall.
"I don't think we'll discuss what we're doing in the offseason or strategy in the offseason at this point," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "We're excited he's a part of it and we're looking forward to a successful October."
Lester and Lackey combined for three victories in a six-game 2013 Series triumph over the Cardinals. Lester was 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA and Lackey won the clincher.
"He was probably the best on the planet going through the playoffs that year," Lackey said. "He knows how to compete and he knows how to handle this time of year, for sure."
Lester will try to follow an excellent wild-card performance by Jake Arrieta, who threw a four-hitter Wednesday night in a 4-0 victory over the Pirates.
Lester figured he'd be matched against 17-game winner Michael Wacha, but the right-hander was 2-3 with a 7.78 ERA the final month and will start Game 3. When Lester learned he would be opposed by Lackey, he thought it funny - and fitting.
"He's going to almost out-will you sometimes, if that makes sense," Lester said. "Our friendship will go beyond this game, will go beyond this career, but come tomorrow, we're not buddies anymore."
Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95) will oppose Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43) in Game 2 Saturday. Arrieta (22-6, 1.77), having a breakout Cy Young-caliber season, faces Wacha (17-7, 3.38) in Game 3 and in Game 4 it will be St. Louis' Lance Lynn (12-11, 3.03) against probably Jason Hammel (10-7, 3.74).
Thousands of fans regularly make the trek north or south and do their utmost to make the visitors feel right at home.
"I didn't even realize this was the first time we had met in the postseason," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who spoke reverently about the Cardinals tradition during earlier trips to Busch Stadium. "I thought that was kind of interesting, but then again it's believable if you look at how this thing plays out."
"It's going to be bumping tomorrow, regardless of who's winning," Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong said. "And when we go to Wrigley, we know that stadium is going to be bumping for sure."
The pre-game workout was newsworthy for the Cardinals, who saw enough from All-Star catcher Yadier Molina that they believe he can be effective behind the plate wearing a hard plastic molded splint to protect a strained left thumb ligament. The thumb will be wrapped for at-bats.
Molina was injured tagging out the Cubs' Anthony Rizzo sliding into the plate on Sept. 20 in Chicago.
Maddon said he'd wait until game day to announce any roster changes but promised no major wrinkles.
"It's not going to be dramatically different, promise you," Maddon said.
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| | Last Updated: 4/16/2024 8:05:13 PM EST. |
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