Sunday notes…
- SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE, AGAIN:This is the 25th of the Cubs’ 41 series in which they have split the first two games. There was no third game in one series. The Cubs are 12-11 in the other third games, but only 5-9 after they have lost, then won, including their two previous series, at St. Louis and Toronto. They are 4-4 in all rubber games at home and 1-2 after losing, then winning. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- NOT SCORING, NOT WINNING: Before yesterday’s 3-1 win, the Cubs had lost eight consecutive games in which they had scored no more than three runs. The previous win had been Aug. 1, when they beat the Orioles at home, 1-0. For the season, the Cubs are 62-22 when they have scored at least three runs, including 6-5 with exactly three, and 7-31 when they have not. They are 55-13 when they have allowed no more than three runs, including 18-0 with exactly one, and 14-40 when they have allowed four or more. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR US LATELY?: Brad Keller, last 11 appearances since July 18: 12.1 innings, 0.00 ERA, 0.324 WHIP (two hits and two walks allowed), 15 strikeouts, one save.
- THIS DAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Shawon Dunston homered twice off John Smoltz and Mike Harkey threw a three-hit shutout as the Cubs defeated the Braves 7-0. It happened 35 years ago today, Friday, Aug. 17, 1990.
Here are today’s particulars.
Cubs lineup:
The Pirates lineup was not available at posting time . Please check BCB social media for the Pirates lineup.
Javier Assad, RHP vs. Carmen Mlodzinski, RHP
Javier Assad did not have a good outing in his first start back from his oblique injury last Tuesday in Toronto. There was a ton of traffic on the bases and the big blow was a three-run homer.
Historically, Assad has pitched better
at home (3.03 ERA in 36 games, 25 starts, 145.2 innings) than on the road (3.90 ERA in 35 games, 25 starts, 152.1 innings) so perhaps throwing at Wrigley will help him today. Current Pirates are a small-sample-size 5-for-39 (.205) with 12 strikeouts.
Carmen Mlodzinski started this year in the Pirates rotation but posted a 5.67 ERA in nine starts, after which he had a trip to Triple-A. Since his return he’s been a multi-inning reliever, for the most part, and has done better — 2.55 ERA in 15 relief appearances, one of which was two scoreless innings vs. the Cubs June 13 at Wrigley Field. He also started against the Cubs April 30 in Pittsburgh and allowed two runs in four innings.
He’s maxed out at a little over 50 pitches since returning from the minors so I wouldn’t expect him to go more than three or four innings this afternoon.
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Baseball Savant" />Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. You can find out if Marquee is available via a provider in your area here.
Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
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The 2025 Game Thread procedure will be identical to last year’s.
You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.
You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
