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MLB : ATS Matchup
Tuesday 4/21/2015Line$ LineOU LineScore
CHICAGO CUBS  WOOD )
 
PITTSBURGH  LIRIANO )
+1.5  -155

-1.5  +135
+140

-150

7ov
 
9
Final
8

CHICAGO CUBS (7 - 5) at PITTSBURGH (6 - 7)
View Previous GameView Next Game
Tuesday, 4/21/2015 7:05 PM
TRAVIS WOOD (L) vs. FRANCISCO LIRIANO (L)
Board OpeningLatest
 LineTotalLineTotal
955CHICAGO CUBS+140Ov 7,-115+140Ov 7,+105
956PITTSBURGH-150Un 7,-105-150Un 7,-125
ADVANCED TEAM STATS
CHICAGO CUBS - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games7-5+16-54.20.2410.3180.3770.6963.70.2440.2820.3630.645
Road Games3-1+22-15.20.2790.3550.4340.7894.20.2750.3040.4300.734
vs Left-handed Starters0-1-10-11.00.1670.2650.1670.4315.00.3240.3780.4710.849
Past 7 Games4-3+0.24-24.60.2660.3450.3910.7363.90.2270.2570.3470.603
Grass Games7-5+16-54.20.2410.3180.3770.6963.70.2440.2820.3630.645
Night Games4-2+1.42-34.70.2790.3550.4610.8163.20.2410.2780.3440.622
Division4-2+1.41-43.50.2450.3160.3750.6912.30.2050.2490.2880.537
CHICAGO CUBS - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games4.20.2410.3181240397163110.377464610015939959
Road Games5.20.2790.3554136385240.4342016266316322
Lefty Starters1.00.1670.26513050000.167147191100
CHICAGO CUBS - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games2.750.99139.312123049353-12250%
Road Games3.461.15413551223141-010100%

PITTSBURGH - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games6-7-1.76-43.70.2160.2590.3510.6103.20.2270.2800.3390.619
Home Games4-3+0.43-23.40.2060.2410.3360.5782.70.2350.2850.3000.585
Past 7 Games4-3+0.43-23.40.2060.2410.3360.5782.70.2350.2850.3000.585
Grass Games6-7-1.76-43.70.2160.2590.3510.6103.20.2270.2800.3390.619
Night Games3-5-2.64-33.00.1910.2430.2990.5413.20.2490.3000.3520.652
Division5-5-0.25-24.30.2320.2840.3720.6563.50.2300.2820.3440.626
PITTSBURGH - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games3.70.2160.2591341690170130.3514724108867751113
Home Games3.40.2060.2417214447070.3362310435304396
PITTSBURGH - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games3.441.11836.7161431210390-42166.7%
Home Games4.421.14618.31091714180-120100%
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)5-2W-1057 ovP1491542
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  
4/28/2015 PITTSBURGH  

PITTSBURGH - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
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)2-5L-1057 ovP5421491
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  
4/28/2015 @ 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 MATT BECKER STATS Editor

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

The Chicago Cubs are hoping the production from the rookie tandem of Kris Bryant and Jorge Soler in the series opener in Pittsburgh is a sign of things to come.

The Cubs could certainly use repeat performances from the two Tuesday night given their teammates struggles against the Pirates' Francisco Liriano.

Bryant seems to have found his groove at the plate since going 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in his debut. He is 6 for 10 in three contests since with two doubles, four RBIs, four walks and one strikeout. He had a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning in Monday's 5-2 win and finished with three hits and three RBIs.

"He's doing a nice job and there's a really nice slow heartbeat going on right now," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's just out there playing the game really like I thought he would coming out of spring training."

Though not as heralded as Bryant, Soler is another part of Chicago's youth movement. He had a career-high four hits Monday to extend his hitting streak to seven games, during which he's batting .375 with seven RBIs and six runs.

The Cubs (7-5) will add another top prospect to the mix in Addison Russell. At Triple-A Iowa, the shortstop has been playing second base, a major weakness in Chicago's lineup. Cubs second basemen are hitting a combined .146 with no extra-base hits, while Russell is batting .318 with a homer, four doubles and nine RBIs in the minors.

Fellow infielders Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro had two hits apiece Monday and are off to strong starts but have struggled mightily against Liriano (0-1, 2.08 ERA).

Rizzo is 3 for 18 with seven strikeouts against him, while Castro is 2 for 20. Castro's .100 average in their matchups is his worst among the 29 pitchers he has faced at least 20 times.

Not surprisingly, Liriano has routinely shut down the Cubs, going 4-1 with a 1.84 ERA in eight starts since 2013. The left-hander had a 1.20 ERA in three meetings last season.

Despite pitching well this season, Liriano is without a win - something he should be used to by now. After allowing two runs and two hits in seven innings against Cincinnati in the opener, he gave up a solo homer and three other singles over six innings in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Detroit. Since Aug. 1, his seven starts of at least six innings and two runs or less allowed without a win are the most in the majors.

Andrew McCutchen had two hits Monday as Pittsburgh's three-game win streak ended to continue his torrid hitting against the Cubs. He is batting .397 in his last 14 games in the series and went 5 for 9 with two homers against Travis Wood (1-1, 2.31) last season.

Starling Marte, who hit his fourth homer Monday, was 4 for 7 with a double against Wood in 2014, while Jody Mercer was 3 for 6 with a pair of home runs in their matchups. Mercer may play Tuesday after sitting out the opener with a bruised chest, an injury he sustained Sunday when he was hit by a pitch.

Wood went 1-2 with a 6.63 ERA in four starts against the Pirates (6-7) last season with one terrible outing inflating that ERA. In his last appearance in the series on Sept. 7, he was tagged for seven runs in 1 2-3 innings.

He is 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA in his last four starts at Pittsburgh.

Wood, the first left-handed starter the Pirates will face, pitched seven-plus innings of three-hit ball in Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Reds.


Last Updated: 3/19/2024 12:36:07 AM EST.


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