Jason Hammel (6-1, 2.09 ERA) and Edwin Escobar (0-1, 18.90 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Chicago Cubs (38-15) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (24-33) at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won the last game 6-0, and Chicago leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 2:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jun. 4 and can be seen on WGN and FSAZ.
Hammel pitched 2.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering zero runs, striking out three and walking one in a 2-0 win over the Dodgers. Kris Bryant (.280, 40 Rs, 13 HRs, 40 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run. Escobar went 3.1 innings, surrendering eight runs (one unearned), striking out two and walking one in an 8-3 defeat to the Astros in his most recent start. Jake Lamb (.276, 27 Rs, 9 HRs, 30 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
The odds for Chicago and Arizona are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Cubs have no trouble scoring as they rank second in the NL in offense with 0.0 runs per game. Chicago leads the whole NL in walks, earning an average of 4.6 per game. Crossing over to the pitching and defensive side, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Cubs. The 0.0 runs that Chicago’s pitchers allow per game makes them the top staff in the NL. The Cubs are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.033 so far this season.
Offensively, the Diamondbacks have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Diamondbacks have a dynamic offense, ranking fourth in the league with 188 extra base hits. The Diamondbacks allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Cubs lead the season series, 4-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
Arizona recorded at least two errors for the eighth time this season.
The Cubs are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Diamondbacks have a 7-20 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Diamondbacks are 2-24. The Cubs have a 4-11 record when opponents outhit them.
Chicago and Arizona both rank in the top half of the league in home runs. Chicago sits at 13th with 63 home runs this season and Arizona ranks 14th with 62.
Ranking 14th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.60 per game. Arizona ranks in the top five with 9.30.
Ranking ninth, Arizona is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.760). Chicago ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .780.
When the Diamondbacks allow at least one home run, they are 9-27. When the Cubs allow one or more homers, they have a 16-11 record.
