Post by Commissioner Erick on May 9, 2020 12:15:36 GMT -5
Chicago Cubs (92-56) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (83-67)
CHC: Kyle Hendricks (9-9, 3.57)
ARI: Marco Gonzalez (13-9, 3.05)
The Arizona Diamondbacks essentially know their status for the playoffs as they're extremely likely to be the NL West Champion and open the postseason on the road against the NL Central winner. The Chicago Cubs are hoping tonight's Game of the Week matchup with the Diamondbacks is an NLDS Preview.
Arizona has a 7-game lead over the San Francisco Giants with 12 games to play. Barring a horrible collapse, they'll be the NL West champs, making the final two weeks about staying healthy entering the postseason. That's why it's such terrible timing for them that projected starter Marco Gonzales is dealing with a sore elbow. He felt it tighten up after his start against Atlanta September eighth, and couldn't get through the first inning in Colorado with it. Gonzales has excelled as a pitcher by decreasing his home rate every year of his career. Once a homer prone starter with the Cardinals, Gonzalez is the only pitcher who combines a BB/9 under 1.7 and a HR/9 below 1.0. Teams have to score on Gonzalez with balls-in-play, and he doesn't make things easier for the offense with good strikeout numbers. He does help the offense with the third most wild pitches in the NL, and runners have stolen 12 of 13 bases against him, but that's a fair tradeoff for low home runs and walks.
Arizona will take on a Cubs team that should be welcoming back Kris Bryant after going 16-4 without him, and have won 18 of their last 22. The team is peaking and putting intense pressure on the Cardinals in their fight for the division. Chicago's pitching has fueled the team, as the Cubs has the third best ERA in August and the NL's best in September. They've gone to a six-man staff and will have options for their postseason rotation.
One of those options will be Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks has the best strikeout rate of his career this season, with a 20.1% mark. He's stamped down a two-year trend in elevated home run numbers, and remains stingy with the walks. Despite the Cubs posting the worst zone rating in the NL, Hendricks has lowered his BABIP as well. The result is a pitcher with a 3.51 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and a .3.09 FIP. He's worked 6.1 scoreless against Arizona already this year, and will look to replicate those numbers today.
Questions for the GMs:
For Brandon Hillebrand, with Kris Bryant due off the IL today, where will he slot into the lineup?
You have the worst zone rating in the NL, but Arizona excels at hitting for a high average. Will you work on a more defensive lineup today?
Your owner has already announced slash development and scouting budgets next year for grossly mismanaging his finances this year. How much pressure is there to win it all given the future financial reckoning?
For Arlo Zimmerman, with Gonzalez nicked up, who will take the start today?
Quentin Holmes has not built upon his 2022 season and is batting just .216 with a .590 OPS. Are you concerned with the lack of progress?
Tae-Hoon do hasn't been the most typical First Baseman as he only has 14 home runs to this point. Do you feel he gives you enough to be a starting First Baseman once only the top pitching staffs remain for the postseason?
TRIVIA: Doorbell Gestoso leads the WBC in All-Time Stolen Bases. Who is Second?
CHC: Kyle Hendricks (9-9, 3.57)
ARI: Marco Gonzalez (13-9, 3.05)
The Arizona Diamondbacks essentially know their status for the playoffs as they're extremely likely to be the NL West Champion and open the postseason on the road against the NL Central winner. The Chicago Cubs are hoping tonight's Game of the Week matchup with the Diamondbacks is an NLDS Preview.
Arizona has a 7-game lead over the San Francisco Giants with 12 games to play. Barring a horrible collapse, they'll be the NL West champs, making the final two weeks about staying healthy entering the postseason. That's why it's such terrible timing for them that projected starter Marco Gonzales is dealing with a sore elbow. He felt it tighten up after his start against Atlanta September eighth, and couldn't get through the first inning in Colorado with it. Gonzales has excelled as a pitcher by decreasing his home rate every year of his career. Once a homer prone starter with the Cardinals, Gonzalez is the only pitcher who combines a BB/9 under 1.7 and a HR/9 below 1.0. Teams have to score on Gonzalez with balls-in-play, and he doesn't make things easier for the offense with good strikeout numbers. He does help the offense with the third most wild pitches in the NL, and runners have stolen 12 of 13 bases against him, but that's a fair tradeoff for low home runs and walks.
Arizona will take on a Cubs team that should be welcoming back Kris Bryant after going 16-4 without him, and have won 18 of their last 22. The team is peaking and putting intense pressure on the Cardinals in their fight for the division. Chicago's pitching has fueled the team, as the Cubs has the third best ERA in August and the NL's best in September. They've gone to a six-man staff and will have options for their postseason rotation.
One of those options will be Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks has the best strikeout rate of his career this season, with a 20.1% mark. He's stamped down a two-year trend in elevated home run numbers, and remains stingy with the walks. Despite the Cubs posting the worst zone rating in the NL, Hendricks has lowered his BABIP as well. The result is a pitcher with a 3.51 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and a .3.09 FIP. He's worked 6.1 scoreless against Arizona already this year, and will look to replicate those numbers today.
Questions for the GMs:
For Brandon Hillebrand, with Kris Bryant due off the IL today, where will he slot into the lineup?
You have the worst zone rating in the NL, but Arizona excels at hitting for a high average. Will you work on a more defensive lineup today?
Your owner has already announced slash development and scouting budgets next year for grossly mismanaging his finances this year. How much pressure is there to win it all given the future financial reckoning?
For Arlo Zimmerman, with Gonzalez nicked up, who will take the start today?
Quentin Holmes has not built upon his 2022 season and is batting just .216 with a .590 OPS. Are you concerned with the lack of progress?
Tae-Hoon do hasn't been the most typical First Baseman as he only has 14 home runs to this point. Do you feel he gives you enough to be a starting First Baseman once only the top pitching staffs remain for the postseason?
TRIVIA: Doorbell Gestoso leads the WBC in All-Time Stolen Bases. Who is Second?
