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CHICAGO CUBS ( LESTER ) |
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| 901 | COLORADO | +225 | Ov 7.5,-115 | +205 | Ov 8,-110 | | 902 | CHICAGO CUBS | -245 | Un 7.5,-105 | -225 | Un 8,-110 |
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| All Games | 43-55 | -7.9 | 51-43 | 4.6 | 0.274 | 0.323 | 0.442 | 0.765 | 5.2 | 0.278 | 0.343 | 0.452 | 0.795 | | Road Games | 19-28 | -2.9 | 24-21 | 3.6 | 0.241 | 0.286 | 0.392 | 0.679 | 4.6 | 0.258 | 0.326 | 0.420 | 0.746 | | vs Left-handed Starters | 5-16 | -10.7 | 12-9 | 3.7 | 0.263 | 0.301 | 0.386 | 0.687 | 5.7 | 0.291 | 0.359 | 0.475 | 0.834 | | Past 7 Games | 3-4 | -1.4 | 4-2 | 6.9 | 0.289 | 0.352 | 0.518 | 0.870 | 6.7 | 0.312 | 0.378 | 0.488 | 0.866 | | Grass Games | 43-55 | -7.9 | 51-43 | 4.6 | 0.274 | 0.323 | 0.442 | 0.765 | 5.2 | 0.278 | 0.343 | 0.452 | 0.795 | | Day Games | 20-16 | +5.7 | 20-16 | 5.5 | 0.283 | 0.343 | 0.479 | 0.821 | 4.4 | 0.259 | 0.329 | 0.417 | 0.746 |
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| All Games | 4.6 | 0.274 | 0.323 | 98 | 3362 | 920 | 169 | 31 | 112 | 0.442 | 437 | 243 | 752 | 51 | 629 | 85 | 63 | 102 | 62 | | Road Games | 3.6 | 0.241 | 0.286 | 47 | 1600 | 385 | 76 | 7 | 51 | 0.392 | 164 | 102 | 411 | 20 | 276 | 37 | 30 | 37 | 29 | | Lefty Starters | 3.7 | 0.263 | 0.301 | 21 | 708 | 186 | 27 | 3 | 18 | 0.386 | 76 | 39 | 182 | 10 | 127 | 21 | 12 | 17 | 14 |
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| All Games | 4.41 | 1.408 | 330.4 | 177 | 162 | 346 | 33 | 119 | 283 | 16-16 | 23 | 12 | 65.7% | | Road Games | 4.15 | 1.322 | 143 | 76 | 66 | 135 | 14 | 54 | 133 | 5-7 | 14 | 4 | 77.8% |
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| All Games | 52-47 | -4.3 | 41-52 | 3.8 | 0.237 | 0.307 | 0.371 | 0.678 | 3.9 | 0.240 | 0.294 | 0.383 | 0.677 | | Home Games | 26-24 | -7.2 | 17-30 | 3.2 | 0.227 | 0.299 | 0.348 | 0.647 | 3.7 | 0.231 | 0.286 | 0.376 | 0.661 | | vs Right-handed Starters | 39-39 | -8.2 | 31-43 | 3.8 | 0.237 | 0.304 | 0.379 | 0.683 | 3.8 | 0.237 | 0.292 | 0.379 | 0.671 | | Past 7 Games | 2-5 | -7.1 | 5-2 | 3.7 | 0.211 | 0.277 | 0.341 | 0.617 | 7.1 | 0.330 | 0.384 | 0.544 | 0.929 | | Grass Games | 52-47 | -4.3 | 41-52 | 3.8 | 0.237 | 0.307 | 0.371 | 0.678 | 3.9 | 0.240 | 0.294 | 0.383 | 0.677 | | Day Games | 17-22 | -13.6 | 14-22 | 3.2 | 0.217 | 0.289 | 0.324 | 0.613 | 3.8 | 0.239 | 0.288 | 0.396 | 0.683 |
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| All Games | 3.8 | 0.237 | 0.307 | 99 | 3363 | 797 | 156 | 15 | 88 | 0.371 | 362 | 340 | 909 | 69 | 711 | 79 | 69 | 73 | 76 | | Home Games | 3.2 | 0.227 | 0.299 | 50 | 1619 | 367 | 67 | 6 | 39 | 0.348 | 152 | 168 | 446 | 34 | 355 | 42 | 30 | 32 | 46 | | Righty Starters | 3.8 | 0.237 | 0.304 | 78 | 2671 | 634 | 124 | 13 | 76 | 0.379 | 280 | 256 | 719 | 52 | 554 | 62 | 58 | 59 | 70 |
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| All Games | 3.45 | 1.282 | 318.3 | 130 | 122 | 284 | 25 | 124 | 300 | 23-18 | 23 | 15 | 60.5% | | Home Games | 3.42 | 1.212 | 168.3 | 69 | 64 | 144 | 15 | 60 | 164 | 14-8 | 9 | 8 | 52.9% |
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| 7/17/2015 | DE LA ROSA(L) | @ SAN DIEGO | SHIELDS(R) | 2-4 | L | 125 | 7 un | U | 9 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | | 7/18/2015 | BETTIS(R) | @ SAN DIEGO | ROSS(R) | 4-5 | L | 125 | 7 un | O | 8 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | | 7/20/2015 | RUSIN(L) | TEXAS | MARTINEZ(R) | 8-7 | W | -155 | 10.5 un | O | 10 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 0 | | 7/21/2015 | KENDRICK(R) | TEXAS | HARRISON(L) | 0-9 | L | -130 | 11.5 un | U | 8 | 7 | 1 | 17 | 11 | 1 | | 7/22/2015 | DE LA ROSA(L) | TEXAS | PEREZ(L) | 8-10 | L | -155 | 10.5 un | O | 9 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 8 | 2 | | 7/24/2015 | BUTLER(R) | CINCINNATI | DESCLAFANI(R) | 6-5 | W | -115 | 11 un | P | 11 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 0 | | 7/25/2015 | RUSIN(L) | CINCINNATI | CUETO(R) | 2-5 | L | +120 | 10 un | U | 6 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 5 | 1 | | 7/26/2015 | KENDRICK(R) | CINCINNATI | LORENZEN(R) | 17-7 | W | +105 | 11.5 un | O | 15 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 11 | 0 | | 7/27/2015 | DE LA ROSA(L) | @ CHICAGO CUBS | HENDRICKS(R) | 8-9 | L | 130 | 7 un | O | 13 | 7 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 1 | | 7/28/2015 | FLANDE(L) | @ CHICAGO CUBS | BEELER(R) | 7-2 | W | 140 | 8.5 ov | O | 10 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | | 7/29/2015 | BUTLER(R) | @ CHICAGO CUBS | LESTER(L) | | | 7/30/2015 | RUSIN(L) | @ ST LOUIS | MARTINEZ(R) | | | 7/31/2015 | KENDRICK(R) | @ ST LOUIS | WACHA(R) | | | 8/1/2015 | DE LA ROSA(L) | @ ST LOUIS | LYNN(R) | | | 8/2/2015 | FLANDE(L) | @ ST LOUIS | GARCIA(L) | | | 8/3/2015 | BUTLER(R) | SEATTLE | HERNANDEZ(R) | | | 8/4/2015 | RUSIN(L) | SEATTLE | HAPP(L) | | | 8/5/2015 | | SEATTLE | | |
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| 7/17/2015 | HENDRICKS(R) | @ ATLANTA | TEHERAN(R) | 2-4 | L | -130 | 7.5 un | U | 7 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 1 | | 7/18/2015 | LESTER(L) | @ ATLANTA | BANUELOS(L) | 4-0 | W | -160 | 7.5 un | U | 8 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | | 7/19/2015 | ARRIETA(R) | @ ATLANTA | MILLER(R) | 4-1 | W | -155 | 6.5 ev | U | 9 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 1 | | 7/20/2015 | RICHARD(L) | @ CINCINNATI | LORENZEN(R) | 4-5 | L | 100 | 9.5 un | U | 8 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 0 | | 7/21/2015 | HAMMEL(R) | @ CINCINNATI | IGLESIAS(R) | 5-4 | W | -125 | 8.5 un | O | 12 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 11 | 0 | | 7/22/2015 | HENDRICKS(R) | @ CINCINNATI | LEAKE(R) | 1-9 | L | -115 | 8 un | O | 5 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 0 | | 7/22/2015 | BEELER(R) | @ CINCINNATI | CINGRANI(L) | 6-5 | W | 110 | 8.5 un | O | 12 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 12 | 0 | | 7/24/2015 | LESTER(L) | PHILADELPHIA | WILLIAMS(R) | 3-5 | L | -265 | 9 un | U | 9 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 0 | | 7/25/2015 | ARRIETA(R) | PHILADELPHIA | HAMELS(L) | 0-5 | L | -210 | 6 ov | U | 0 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 10 | 0 | | 7/26/2015 | HAMMEL(R) | PHILADELPHIA | NOLA(R) | 5-11 | L | -180 | 7 ev | O | 6 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 0 | | 7/27/2015 | HENDRICKS(R) | COLORADO | DE LA ROSA(L) | 9-8 | W | -140 | 7 un | O | 10 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 1 | | 7/28/2015 | BEELER(R) | COLORADO | FLANDE(L) | 2-7 | L | -150 | 8.5 ov | O | 7 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | | 7/29/2015 | LESTER(L) | COLORADO | BUTLER(R) | | | 7/30/2015 | ARRIETA(R) | @ MILWAUKEE | NELSON(R) | | | 7/31/2015 | HAMMEL(R) | @ MILWAUKEE | JUNGMANN(R) | | | 8/1/2015 | HENDRICKS(R) | @ MILWAUKEE | GARZA(R) | | | 8/2/2015 | WADA(L) | @ MILWAUKEE | LOHSE(R) | | | 8/3/2015 | LESTER(L) | @ PITTSBURGH | LIRIANO(L) | | | 8/4/2015 | ARRIETA(R) | @ PITTSBURGH | LOCKE(L) | | | 8/5/2015 | | @ PITTSBURGH | | |
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| |  | COLORADO: DENVER (AP) - Troy Tulowitzki benefits by having Carlos Gonzalez in the lineup. Gonzalez certainly benefits from Tulowitzki's presence, too.
But the Colorado Rockies may not benefit as much as you might think having those two sluggers together in the batting order. A healthy Tulo and CarGo by no means guarantees success, even if the Rockies are banking on bounce-back years from them to end a string of four straight losing seasons.
At least, the numbers seem to indicate as much. Since 2010, the Rockies are just 185-198 (.483 winning percentage) when Gonzalez and Tulowitzki are both in the starting lineup, according to STATS.
Still better than the alternative, though. Colorado is 175-252 (.410) when one or both don't start.
The takeaway is simple: This powerful tandem needs some help.
Colorado didn't make any splashy moves over the winter after a 66-96 season that led to sweeping changes in the front office. The biggest moves by new GM Jeff Bridich weren't to bolster a beleaguered pitching staff, but to bring in veteran catcher Nick Hundley and utility infielder Daniel Descalso.
Bridich believes Tulowitzki and Gonzalez can do more to get this team back on track than any sort of blockbuster deal.
If they stay on the field, that is.
''I'm not going to sit here and say we're a 90-win team or whatever it is. I'm just getting myself ready to play,'' Tulowitzki said. ''That's my goal, keep myself healthy.''
That's been anything but easy for the smooth-fielding shortstop. Over his career, he's had stints on the disabled list for a quadriceps tendon tear, lacerated right hand, broken left wrist and a groin injury. Last season, Tulowitzki played only 91 games before undergoing hip surgery.
''I feel great,'' said Tulowitzki, who turned 30 in October. ''But you guys judge and tell me.''
Like Tulowitzki, Gonzalez also feels fit again. The outfielder was limited to 70 games because of surgery to remove a small tumor in his left index finger and then another on his left knee.
''I'm feeling really good in the outfield, so that's a really good sign,'' Gonzalez said.
No doubt, Tulowitzki and Gonzalez fuel each other on offense. With Tulowitzki in the lineup since 2010, Gonzalez hit .307 with 89 homers spanning 402 games. Without him, Gonzalez's average was .291 with 30 homers in 185 games, according to STATS research.
And while Tulowitzki's batting average actually goes up without Gonzalez (.307 to .328), his slugging percentage dips a bit (.559 to .533).
''I think everything will take care of itself - if I play,'' Tulowitzki said.
With the NL West vastly improved, the Rockies aren't exactly in the conversation as contenders. But they do boast Tulowitzki and Gonzalez, along with NL batting champ Justin Morneau and Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado.
''We're a nobody. That's OK with us,'' Arenado said. ''If we stay healthy, we're going to do some damage.''
Things to know as the Rockies try to get back on track:
TRADE RUMORS: Tulowitzki didn't pay too much attention to the trade rumors that popped up in the offseason. Should the Rockies fall out of contention early, those rumors could surface again. "I do know that rumors fly and rumors fly at a high rate these days with all the social media that's going on,'' Tulowitzki said.
YOUNG ROTATION: Lefty Jorge De La Rosa is dealing with a nagging groin injury this spring and righty Jhoulys Chacin was recently let go. That could pave the way for top prospects Eddie Butler and Jon Gray to work their way into the rotation. ''He's a talented kid,'' manager Walt Weiss said of Gray. ''Now it's just a matter of maturing and knowing he belongs.''
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Rockies had the worst road record (21-60) last season and hit almost 100 points lower away from home (.228) than at Coors Field (.322). ''Obviously there are some adjustments our hitters have to make, going away from our place,'' Weiss said.
GOLDEN INFIELD: Starter Kyle Kendrick certainly appreciates this infield, with Arenado, Tulowitzki and second baseman DJ LeMahieu all having earned a Gold Glove in their career. ''The defense is great,'' Kendrick said. ''You keep the ball down, you get ground balls, you're going to get outs.'' | | 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. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW (COLORADO-CHICAGO CUBS) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Rockies-Cubs Preview* ======================
By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer
Colorado (42-55) at Chicago (52-46), 2:20 p.m. EDT
As the Colorado Rockies move on from trading the face of their franchise, the Chicago Cubs might be wondering if a current rough stretch will prevent them from making any significant additions this week.
With potentially more moves to come, the Rockies look to win their first road series in two months Wednesday against the Cubs.
Less than 24 hours after the surprise trade of five-time All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, some Rockies players remained stunned but managed to even the set with Tuesday's 7-2 victory.
"We've done it all year. We've played some of our best games after some of our toughest nights," manager Walt Weiss said. "We talked before the game (Tuesday) and I had a good feeling that our guys would play a nice bounce-back game. That's exactly what we did."
With the Rockies (43-55) likely to miss the postseason for a sixth consecutive year, speculation continues to swirl that popular outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and even Jose Reyes, acquired from Toronto in the Tulowitzki trade, could be dealt before Friday's deadline.
"Our eyes and ears are open," general manager Jeff Bridich said. "We're open-minded. It's how we are operating. That doesn't mean that we have some huge elaborate plan to sell the farm and completely start from scratch."
Regardless of the lineup, the Rockies look to win consecutive road contests and claim their first series outside Coors Field since sweeping a three-game set at Philadelphia from May 29-31.
All-Star DJ LeMahieu won't be going anywhere while batting .444 during his major league-leading 18-game hitting streak. With three hits for a second straight night, the ex-Cub is 13 for 20 with seven RBIs in five games against them in 2015.
He's never faced Jon Lester (5-8, 3.32 ERA), who has a 1.53 ERA despite going 1-2 and receiving six runs in five July starts. Half of those runs came Friday when he gave up two without a walk in seven innings of a 5-3, 10-inning loss to Philadelphia.
The left-hander, who started the World Series-clinching Game 4 against the Rockies in 2007 and last faced them in 2010, looks to help Chicago (52-47) rebound from its fourth loss in the last five contests.
Though the Cubs are 2 1/2 games out of the final wild-card spot, it's uncertain if they still intend to make any significant additions in the next few days.
"I think we're pretty darn good right now," Lester said. "Having an addition would be a shot in the arm. ... But I don't think we can worry about that right now."
Concern should mount for Anthony Rizzo, who is 4 for 34 with one RBI in the last nine games. Starlin Castro, meanwhile, is batting .132 (10 for 76) with 18 strikeouts in his last 21 contests.
Chicago went 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position Tuesday and is 1 for 23 in its last four defeats. It's .217 average in day games is the lowest in the majors.
"There's a lot left in the tank offensively for us in the next two months," manager Joe Maddon said. "If we can get everybody to play offense to the level we're capable of, there's a lot of offense."
The Cubs get their first look at Eddie Butler (3-6, 4.77), who was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on July 19 and allowed three runs, six hits and walked three in six innings while not factoring in the decision of a 6-5 win over Cincinnati on Friday.
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| | Last Updated: 4/25/2024 12:10:07 PM EST. |
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