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Dodgers @ Cubs: Greinke vs. Hammel (Game 69 Thread)
LAD (37-32): RHP Zack Greinke (5-2, 1.81)
CHC (38-30): RHP Jason Hammel (5-2, 2.89)
First pitch: 7.05pmCT
Puig rf Pederson* cf Kendrick 2b Gonzalez* 1b Grandal# c Ethier* lf Callaspo# 3b Rollins# ss Greinke p | Coghlan* lf Rizzo* 1b Bryant 3b Montero* c Castro ss Baxter* rf Szczur cf Hammel p Russell 2b |
Hammel gave up 2 ER in 4 innings (86 pitches) in a rainy game in Cleveland, which the Cubs ended up losing 4-3. He last pitched against LAD in August of 2013 at Wrigley, giving up 6 ER over 4 innings but avoiding the loss. The Dodgers are 34-111 (.306) against him. Ethier is 9-25 (.360) with 2 HR, Kendrick is 7-13 (.538), and Callaspo is 5-12 (.417).
Greinke had a no decision against Texas his last time out: 7 IP, 0 ER, 8 Ks. LA ended up winning 1-0. The Cubs have hit him well, 31-103 (.301). Montero is 7-23 (.304) with 2 HR, and Castro is 5-16 (.313). Fowler is 2-18.
With the exception of one bad outing in Colorado, Greinke has been great all year, but he hasn’t won a game since May 5. He actually won 5 games in a row (in April/May) and has taken 2 losses since then. He averages well over 6 IP per start and the Dodgers average 4.07 runs when he pitches, so this is just a curious anomaly that will correct itself--hopefully after they leave town.
Injury update: Fowler, who left yesterday’s game in the 5th inning with a left ankle sprain, is day-to-day. There is preliminary good news on Wada, who left (after 2+) with cramping in his left deltoid.
Beating Kershaw with Wada was going to be hard enough; doing it with the bullpen was outstanding. The Cubs are now 8 games over .500 for the first time all season. And with Rizzo and Bryant both firing, the team could be on the brink of a nice stretch.
Go Cubs!
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