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MLB : ATS Matchup

CHICAGO CUBS (57 - 47) at PITTSBURGH (61 - 43)
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Monday, 8/3/2015 7:05 PM
JON LESTER (L) vs. FRANCISCO LIRIANO (L)
Board OpeningLatest
 LineTotalLineTotal
951CHICAGO CUBS+120Ov 6.5,-105+125Ov 6.5,-115
952PITTSBURGH-130Un 6.5,-115-135Un 6.5,-105
ADVANCED TEAM STATS
CHICAGO CUBS - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games57-47+0.741-563.80.2370.3070.3720.6793.80.2380.2920.3770.669
Road Games30-23+6.824-254.50.2460.3130.3910.7043.90.2460.2990.3800.680
vs Left-handed Starters13-8+3.910-94.10.2360.3180.3400.6584.20.2500.3040.3970.700
Past 7 Games6-1+4.52-44.40.2420.3150.3920.7073.60.2290.2810.3470.628
Grass Games57-47+0.741-563.80.2370.3070.3720.6793.80.2380.2920.3770.669
Night Games38-25+12.427-324.20.2490.3170.3990.7163.80.2380.2970.3690.665
Division25-21+1.420-224.00.2500.3180.3810.6994.30.2470.3060.3810.686
CHICAGO CUBS - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games3.80.2370.307104352383516015950.3723823579537174481717585
Road Games4.50.2460.313531880462939540.3912271845013738438414235
Lefty Starters4.10.2360.31821692163322120.3408284190171571711146
CHICAGO CUBS - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games3.371.258330.71331242902512631324-18281565.1%
Road Games3.351.308161.36460146106514710-1018772%

PITTSBURGH - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games61-43+9.545-494.10.2560.3080.3860.6953.60.2500.3060.3610.667
Home Games35-17+11.424-254.10.2580.3110.3900.7013.20.2360.2870.3410.629
vs Left-handed Starters10-9-1.88-104.10.2740.3250.3920.7174.10.2520.3110.3590.670
Past 7 Games5-2+2.13-35.30.2430.3040.3930.6975.00.3040.3560.4700.825
Grass Games61-43+9.545-494.10.2560.3080.3860.6953.60.2500.3060.3610.667
Night Games40-31+1.233-324.10.2540.3070.3820.6883.90.2560.3120.3740.686
Division19-26-12.321-193.80.2390.3010.3680.6694.20.2640.3260.3880.714
PITTSBURGH - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games4.10.2560.308104359992319213830.38640427084568741837611994
Home Games4.10.2580.311521742449898420.3902031343793135544295939
Lefty Starters4.10.2740.32519656180323130.39277491561714714161420
PITTSBURGH - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games2.861.222315113100288309727016-1336980%
Home Games2.681.0371615048130163713113-420483.3%
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
CHICAGO CUBS - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
7/20/2015RICHARD(L)@ CINCINNATILORENZEN(R)4-5L1009.5 unU890840
7/21/2015HAMMEL(R)@ CINCINNATIIGLESIAS(R)5-4W-1258.5 unO1214113110
7/22/2015HENDRICKS(R)@ CINCINNATILEAKE(R)1-9L-1158 unO5511380
7/22/2015BEELER(R)@ CINCINNATICINGRANI(L)6-5W1108.5 unO1210113120
7/24/2015LESTER(L)PHILADELPHIAWILLIAMS(R)3-5L-2659 unU91001260
7/25/2015ARRIETA(R)PHILADELPHIAHAMELS(L)0-5L-2106 ovU02111100
7/26/2015HAMMEL(R)PHILADELPHIANOLA(R)5-11L-1807 evO6201780
7/27/2015HENDRICKS(R)COLORADODE LA ROSA(L)9-8W-1407 unO10411371
7/28/2015BEELER(R)COLORADOFLANDE(L)2-7L-1508.5 ovO7701070
7/29/2015LESTER(L)COLORADOBUTLER(R)3-2W-2208 evU650530
7/30/2015ARRIETA(R)@ MILWAUKEENELSON(R)5-2W-1357 ovP971660
7/31/2015HAMMEL(R)@ MILWAUKEEJUNGMANN(R)4-1W-1258 unU980781
8/1/2015HENDRICKS(R)@ MILWAUKEEGARZA(R)4-2W-1408.5 unU560550
8/2/2015RICHARD(L)@ MILWAUKEELOHSE(R)4-3W1009.5 unU971860
8/3/2015LESTER(L)@ PITTSBURGHLIRIANO(L) 
8/4/2015ARRIETA(R)@ PITTSBURGHHAPP(L) 
8/5/2015HAREN(R)@ PITTSBURGHLOCKE(L) 
8/6/2015HAMMEL(R)SAN FRANCISCOHESTON(R) 
8/7/2015HENDRICKS(R)SAN FRANCISCOLEAKE(R) 
8/8/2015LESTER(L)SAN FRANCISCOCAIN(R) 
8/9/2015ARRIETA(R)SAN FRANCISCOPEAVY(R) 

PITTSBURGH - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
7/20/2015BURNETT(R)@ KANSAS CITYVENTURA(R)10-7W1257 evO17801481
7/21/2015COLE(R)@ KANSAS CITYVARGAS(L)1-3L-1157 ovU892631
7/22/2015MORTON(R)@ KANSAS CITYVOLQUEZ(R)1-5L1157.5 evU870960
7/23/2015LIRIANO(L)WASHINGTONFISTER(R)7-3W-1857 unO1370670
7/24/2015LOCKE(L)WASHINGTONSCHERZER(R)7-5W+1206.5 unO1251760
7/25/2015BURNETT(R)WASHINGTONGONZALEZ(L)3-9L-1457 ovO7521491
7/26/2015COLE(R)WASHINGTONROSS(R)3-1W-1607 unU530751
7/28/2015MORTON(R)@ MINNESOTAPELFREY(R)8-7W-1059.5 unO11921271
7/29/2015LIRIANO(L)@ MINNESOTASANTANA(R)10-4W-1308 unO13821293
7/30/2015BURNETT(R)@ CINCINNATIHOLMBERG(L)5-15L-1509 unO119119130
7/31/2015LOCKE(L)@ CINCINNATILORENZEN(R)5-4W-1259 unP76010100
8/1/2015COLE(R)@ CINCINNATIIGLESIAS(R)3-4L-1407.5 ovU880970
8/2/2015MORTON(R)@ CINCINNATISAMPSON(R)3-0W-1409 unU340681
8/3/2015LIRIANO(L)CHICAGO CUBSLESTER(L) 
8/4/2015HAPP(L)CHICAGO CUBSARRIETA(R) 
8/5/2015LOCKE(L)CHICAGO CUBSHAREN(R) 
8/7/2015COLE(R)LA DODGERSKERSHAW(L) 
8/8/2015MORTON(R)LA DODGERSLATOS(R) 
8/9/2015LIRIANO(L)LA DODGERSWOOD(L) 
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 JEFF BARTL STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (56-47) at Pittsburgh (60-43), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Jon Lester's latest gem helped begin one the best runs of the season for the Chicago Cubs as they took advantage of facing last-place clubs to get even for the NL's second wild card.

With an upcoming slate against postseason contenders likely presenting a significantly more difficult challenge, the Cubs again turn to their surging ace to make a statement.

The visiting Cubs look to match a season high with a sixth consecutive win in the opener of a three-game series with the wild card-leading Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

Lester (6-8, 3.26 ERA) has been a workhorse since July 1, pitching at least seven innings in all six starts while going 2-2 with a 1.66 ERA. He gave up two runs while striking out a season-high 14 in eight innings of Wednesday's 3-2 win over Colorado, becoming the first Cubs left-hander to fan more than 12 since at least 1914.

No Cub had struck out 14 since Mark Prior had 16 punchouts Sept. 30, 2004.

"You've got to figure out a way to go as deep as you can," Lester said. "It was nice for (manager) Joe (Maddon) to let me go out for the eighth, especially for a one-run game."

Lester went seven innings while allowing one run - a homer to Sean Rodriguez - and striking out seven in a 4-1 win over the Pirates on May 16. Beating Pittsburgh again would keep Chicago rolling (57-47) after it completed a four-game sweep of Milwaukee with Sunday's 4-3 win to improve to a season-best 10 games over .500.

Addison Russell homered as the Cubs forced a tie for the second wild card with San Francisco, which fell 2-1 at Texas later in the day. The Cubs and Giants, who are four games behind the Pirates (61-43), begin a crucial four-game series Thursday at Wrigley Field.

Chicago, which last won six in a row May 11-16, is 6-4 this season against a Pittsburgh team which split a four-game set at Cincinnati over the weekend with Sunday's 3-0 win. Neil Walker homered as the Pirates finished with three hits, their fewest in a non-shortened road victory since having three in a 3-0 win over Montreal on April 5, 1989.

Francisco Liriano (7-6, 2.92) hopes to limit Cubs baserunners after a so-so outing Wednesday, when he gave up three runs and a season-worst 10 hits through 5 2-3 innings of a 10-4 win over Minnesota.

Despite that rough outing, the left-hander is 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA over his last five.

"Just one of those days. It was tough," Liriano said. "You have to go out there and battle and at least give a chance to win to your team. That's what I tried to do."

The Pirates have won Liriano's last six outings, and they're used to Liriano putting them in position to beat the Cubs. Since signing with Pittsburgh in 2013, Liriano has gone 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA in nine starts against the NL Central rivals.

He struck out nine and allowed three runs in five innings before Chicago rallied for a 9-8 road win April 21. Kris Bryant had an RBI double off Liriano, but Starlin Castro (3 for 22) and Anthony Rizzo (4 for 20) haven't had much success against him.

It's unclear if Bryant will be in the lineup, though. He left in fifth inning Sunday after sliding head-first into second base and hitting his neck and upper back on Jean Segura's leg.

"I was going as hard as I can," said Bryant, who was ruled safe after a review. "I'm feeling better. We'll see what it feels like (Monday)."


Last Updated: 3/19/2024 3:49:57 AM EST.


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