Game of the Week: June 10: CHC @ COL

[tylermiami]

Chicago Cubs (42-22) @ Colorado Rockies (31-35)

CHC: Sam Howard (7-1, 2.52 ERA)
COL: TBD

In this June 10th edition of the Game of the Week, the Cubs and Rockies meet for the 2nd time this season. Chicago will look to rebound after dropping 2 of 3 games to the Cardinals. The Cubs have been one of the better away teams so far this year, going 18-11 on the road. The 2024 season has been all about pitching for the Cubs, as they lead the league with a 3.34 ERA. Steven Matz, Kyle Wright, and Sam Howard have led the rotation, while Carrizales, Caulder, and many others have contributed in the pen. The Cubs have also had one of the better offenses in the league, ranking 6th in the NL in runs scored. Lindor, Freeman, and Bryant are all having really nice seasons at the plate. The team has been able to stay mostly healthy this season, although they took a huge blow when star reliever Joe Caulder was removed from his relief outing just 2 days ago. It has recently come out that Caulder will need surgery on his elbow, and isn't expected to return until early October. Sam Howard is set to take the mound. He is having a career year, as his 2.52 ERA is backed by 65 strikeouts to just 11 walks. Chicago will look to add to their 4 game division lead when they face the Rockies today. 

The Rockies have started the month of June with a 4-4 record. They sit 10 games out of a playoff spot as they enter play today. The pitching has been a bit of a struggle this year for Colorado. One of the teams best starters Jon Gray, and relievers Ken Giles, are expected to be on the DL for another few months. New acquisition Jairo Pacheco has fit in nicely for his new team, throwing 78.1 innings with a 4.14 ERA. Arenado, Blackmon, and Dahl are all having great seasons at the plate. It is unknown who will be on the mound to start the game for the Rockies, as expected starter Riley Pint suffered a back injury in his most recent start. Colorado needs to get hot quickly as their playoff hopes continue to drift further away

These two teams met for the first time just last week. The Cubs took 2 of the 3 games at Wrigley, although the Rockies outscored them 11 to 7. Sam Howard took the mound in game 2, where he threw 5 innings of 1 run ball. He ended up with a no decision in the eventual 2-1 Cubs victory. 

The key to victory for the Rockies is to get balls in the air. Howard gives up a lot of flyballs, which could carry just a bit extra in the thin Coors air. For the Cubs, they will need to be ready to give Howard more run support than usual, as this is going to be a tough spot for him.


Prediction- Rockies: 8 - Cubs: 6


Questions for the GMs:

For Erick Blasco-

1. Who is going to start in Riley Pint's place today?

2. Rogelio Mendizabal is without a hit in his last 26 plate appearances. Will we see him start to lose playing time to Tony Walters and Tom Murphy, or do you plan to let him ride through his cold streak? 


For Brandon Hillebrand- 

1. Who do you think can step into the role that Joe Caulder will leave behind as he hits the DL?

2. Ernesto Arriaga has been solid in the pen this season despite the high walk rate. Do you plan to give him any starts down the stretch?


TRIVIA: With 918, who is the all-time games played leader for the Cubs?

[Commissioner Erick]

1. Who is going to start in Riley Pint's place today?

Juan Adame will start today. He's the only pitcher who can start who is rested, so he'll be making his major league debut. Honestly, we're not confident about the start as Adame gives up a lot of fly balls and Chicago hits a ton of home runs. Adame is good out of the pen, but I don't think he has the stuff or control to really overcome his straight fastball. At least using him will keep our bullpen in order for the rest of the week.

2. Rogelio Mendizabal is without a hit in his last 26 plate appearances. Will we see him start to lose playing time to Tony Walters and Tom Murphy, or do you plan to let him ride through his cold streak?

We'll probably get Tony Wolters some spot starts against right-handers, but we're going to need Mendizibal if we're going to make the playoffs. He has so much more upside than Wolters and Murphy. He's coming back to the majors off an injury and is likely pressing, as he's done all season. He has good patience and doubles power so I wish he'd stop selling out for home runs. He'll be in the lineup today as the Designated Hitter with Tom Murphy starting at Catcher. Hopefully with the power we'll put out, we can club some home runs.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA Answer: Is it Kris Bryant?

[tylermiami]

Cubs 4 - Rockies 1

WP: S. Howard (8-1)
LP: J. Adame (0-1)
SV: T. Portwood (2)


Chicago Cubs starter Sam Howard pitched his team past the Colorado Rockies, 4-1. Chicago raised its record to 43-22 with the win.

Howard imposed his will on the Rockies, scattering 1 hit over 6 innings while striking out 11. The left-hander upped his season record to 8-1.

"Sam was able to execute his pitches," said Chicago manager Brandon Hillebrand. "Simple as that."


Questions for the GMs:

For Erick Blasco-
1. Daniel Montano had an exceptional game, going 2 for 4 while driving in the only run of the day for your team. He also gunned down Dominic Smith at 3rd. Has he performed to your expectations so far in year 2?
2. Juan Adame was able to go 7 deep in this game while giving his team a chance to win. Do you plan on giving him more starts after this performance?

For Brandon Hillebrand-
1. Sam Howard moves to 8-1 on the season. What did you think of his performance today?
2. Yet another game with no stolen bases for your team. Is your team under orders to be conservative on the base paths?

[Commissioner Erick]

For Erick Blasco-
1. Daniel Montano had an exceptional game, going 2 for 4 while driving in the only run of the day for your team. He also gunned down Dominic Smith at 3rd. Has he performed to your expectations so far in year 2?

He pretty much has. His defense has been excellent in Right Field, both with Zone Rating and with his outfield assists. He's also hit for average and run the bases well. I wish he'd hit a few more doubles and that he'd strike out a little bit less, but he's been good for us.


2. Juan Adame was able to go 7 deep in this game while giving his team a chance to win. Do you plan on giving him more starts after this performance?

I think so, but not right away. We'll have him back in the bullpen with Erick Julio back in the rotation as I still think Adame is pretty dangerous as a starter with his penchant for giving up fly balls and home runs. That being said, the game he had against Chicago was impressive, proving that he has good starts in him. He's our sixth starter for now, but will be the next man up going forward. If we give up on the season, we'll put him in the rotation to examine him for the future.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA Sam Howard was the Most Outstanding Pitcher in the Eastern League in 2019 and has the most PBA WAR of any player who won that award. Who is Second?

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA ANSWER: Ronald Herrera