Game of the Week: June 26: CHC @ LAD

[Commissioner Erick]

Chicago Cubs (49-26) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (41-35)


CHC: Sam Howard (7-3, 2.88)
LAD: Eduardo Rodriguez (7-3, 3.24)


For the Game of the Week, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers meet again beginning their second series in seven days. The Cubs won the first series when Luis Gonzalez homered off Clayton Kershaw in the 10th inning on Wednesday to walk off the Dodgers. Bryant had a big series for the Cubs with an extra base hit in each game, two hits, six RBIs, a .300 average, and an outfield assist.

The one game the Dodgers won, Eduardo Rodriguez pitched really well. Rodriguez worked 7 innings allowing three runs when Kris Bryant and Andrew Knapp hit back-to-back home runs in a 9-0 game. With Chicago's non-stars tending to hit from the left side of the plate, Rodriguez' ability to control left-handers is a big plus against the Cubs lineup.

However, Chicago was able to win the series even without Hall-of-Famer Francisco Lindor in the lineup. Luis Gonzalez' play was a huge proponent for that. He had two hits on Monday and scored a run in the Cubs' 8-5 win. On Tuesday, he had a hit in three at bats, and on Wednesday he had the walk-off home run. Getting production from back-roster performers helps weather injuries, and allowed the Cubs to pick up a series win against the NL West leaders.


Questions for the GMs:


For Brandon Hillebrand, Sam Howard was waived twice and had an ERA of 4.48 last year pitching mostly out of the bullpen. What's fueled his turnaround to having a 2.88 ERA this year?

You've benched Giancarlo Stanton and his .188 average. How is he and his $34 million salary handling it?

Zach Britton is on pace for 48 saves. The PBA record for most saves in a season is 47 by Alex Colome. Do you think Britton can get the record?

For Ben Vincent, Jurrickson Profar is now banged up with shoulder tendinitis. Will you put him on the IL and if so, who will replace him?

Jeren Kendall isn't hitting for power and he's still striking out at an extreme pace. Any consideration for dropping him in the order?

With how many left-handers are in the Cubs lineup, how important will Enny Romero be today?


TRIVIA: Which pitcher has the most Saves in a single season in the NL?

[Ben_Dodgers]

Profar is going on the IL, and Benito Castro is getting the call. He'll be starting at 3B today.

I'm constantly tinkering with the order trying to squeeze as much as I can out of these guys. Kendall will be hitting 6th today.

I don't worry about splits too much with my bullpen - those guys can dominate both sides of the plate, but Romero has been lights out against lefties. Kershaw of course is another lefty option out of the pen.

Trivia: Wade Davis (2019, CHC) and Mark Melancon (2017, SF) with 44.

[Commissioner Erick]

Correct on the Trivia!

[Commissioner Erick]

Dodgers 4 - Cubs 1


WP: E. Rodriguez (8-3)
LP: S. Howard (7-4)
SV: K. Jansen (13)


Los Angeles Dodgers starter Eduardo Rodriguez turned in an exceptional performance against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium, resulting in a Los Angeles win, 4-1. Rodriguez, now 8-3, was the winner. In 6.1 innings, he gave up 5 hits, while striking out 5, walking 1, and allowing no earned runs. Kenley Jansen converted his 13th save in 15 tries.

The Dodgers got a big at-bat from third baseman Benito Castro. For the game, Castro was 1-3 with a home run. He drove in 2 runs and scored once. In the bottom of the second, with a runner on 2nd, he stroked a 2-run home run. His 1st home run of the season gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead.

"We take it day by day here," said Rodriguez, "and today was a good one for us."

The Dodgers bumped their record to 42-35 with this latest triumph.


Questions for GMs:


For Brandon Hillebrand, outside of Kris Bryant your offense struggled against Eduardo Rodriguez. Was that just a blip or was there something about Rodriguez your offense struggles against?

Before this season Juan Flores had one good season in his career; a single 31-save year in the Cuban League in 2020. This year, he's walked about as many hitters as he's struck out, and he gave up two hits to the Dodgers. Still, he didn't allow any runs in an inning pitched to LA, and has just a 1.62 ERA this year. What's made him so succesful?

Andrew Knapp hit fifth for you and had a rough day. Why did you decide to hit him so high?

For Ben Vincent, Eduardo Rodriguez allowed a number of fly balls, almost none of which were hit hard, and as a result had a successful game. Were you surprised such a fly ball heavy approached worked against the Cubs, especially as few of the fly balls were hit to Jeren Kendall?

Benito Castro homered in his first major league at bat. How excited were you to see Castro have such a special moment?

Sam Howard is a fly ball pitcher, so the number of hits he'll allow will normally be tempered. You managed only four hits off Howard and two more off a good bullpen, but you pushed four runs across. How do you asses your team's offense in the game?


TRIVIA: For players who made their major league debut this year and have at least seven home runs, which Rule V Pick homered in his first PBA at bat this season?

[Ben_Dodgers]

Mar 30, 2020 19:22:36 GMT -5 Commissioner Erick said:

For Ben Vincent, Eduardo Rodriguez allowed a number of fly balls, almost none of which were hit hard, and as a result had a successful game. Were you surprised such a fly ball heavy approached worked against the Cubs, especially as few of the fly balls were hit to Jeren Kendall?

As long as it stays in the park, fly balls are easier to defend. Verdugo won a gold glove in 2021, and Mazara is an above average fielder.

Benito Castro homered in his first major league at bat. How excited were you to see Castro have such a special moment?

That was fun. Castro has been a pleasant surprise this year. He signed as a 26 year old minor league free agent with no professional history. He's been playing well in AAA and looks like he could fill at least a back up role at the major league level with most clubs.

Sam Howard is a fly ball pitcher, so the number of hits he'll allow will normally be tempered. You managed only four hits off Howard and two more off a good bullpen, but you pushed four runs across. How do you asses your team's offense in the game?

Good enough. I learned this week that the Dodgers lead the NL in team batting average, with .249. But we're 8th in OPS, 11th in Runs, and 12th in Home Runs. We need to do a much better job knocking runners in. We're averaging less than 1 HR/game, so any time we get 2 in a night is progress in my book.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 2: Jacob Allred of the Orioles homered off Felix Jorge in his first major league at bat