Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates preview, Friday 5/7, 1:20 CT
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Friday notes.
CLOSE CALLS: Four of the Cubs’ last five games have been decided by one run, including the last two games of last weekend’s Reds series (3-2 win, 13-12 loss) and the last two games of the Dodgers series (4-3, 6-5 wins). Overall the Cubs are 6-3 (.667) in one-run games.
BREAK-EVEN: The Cubs are 15-16. A win today would put the Cubs back at .500 for the sixth time this season (1-1, 3-3, 4-4, 9-9, 10-10).
THE DUFF: Matt Duffy has hit safely in nine of his last 12 games dating to April 24, hitting .364/.475/.899 (12-for-33) with nine runs scored, two doubles, two RBI, seven walks and three stolen bases. Duffy leads the N.L. (min. 60 PA) with a 93.5-percent contact rate.
Five Stars of the Cub Farm, 5/6/21: Leeper, Higgins, The Luis V’s, Amaya, Strumpf
Huge kudos to everyone at Marquee Sports Network involved in getting the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on the channel last night (and again this evening at 7pm CT!). The feed looked beautiful, broadcaster Alex Cohen was his usual fun-but-polished self, and they were still able to maintain the minor league charm. I think everyone enjoyed it except Marty Pevey, who was ejected five pitches into the game. I’m the type that’s going to keep saying “more, more” every time Marquee gives us a minor league cookie, but this was a fantastic start.
Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers preview, Wednesday 5/5, 6:40 CT
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Wednesday notes:
A BIT OF HISTORY: Seven-inning games in doubleheaders began in 2020. Last night’s was the third seven-inning game that had two extra innings (in other words, nine innings total). It was the first in 2021, though, so it was the first that was witnessed by fans. The other two: Yankees 6, Orioles 5, September 4, 2020 and Cardinals 3, Brewers 2, September 14, 2020.
LOTS OF CUBS: The Cubs have utilized 36 players already this season, tied for the fifth-most in MLB and surpassed only by the Brewers (41 players), Giants (37), Rays (37) and Nationals (37). Breakdown: 15 position players and 21 pitchers.
Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers preview, Monday 5/3, 6:40 CT
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Today’s roster move: Here
As of now, it looks like they’re going to try to play this game despite a forecast of storms all evening.
So for the first time in 2021, you’ll need to keep this handy:
Monday notes:
HISTORY: Sunday’s game marked the first time the Cubs and their opponent both homered five or more times since the historic 23‐22 game, May 17, 1979, vs. the Phillies at Wrigley Field.
LOTS OF RUNS: Cubs hitters have scored 30 runs in the last four games, with at least 10 hits in three of those games, combining to hit .325 (49‐for‐151) with 19 extra-base hits (11 doubles, one triple, seven home runs).