Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Brewers Saturday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2019-05-12T09:00:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/183010072019-05-12T09:00:00-05:002019-05-12T09:00:00-05:002019 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 37
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kHPWWOwRiE3wZKGScNzfckHUYtA=/380x22:1853x1004/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63819581/1148516421.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs walk it off for the third time on the homestand in a 2-1 win</p> <p id="WeaUIc">They found a way, one more time. In a game that felt like it might never end, the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> finally outlasted the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a>. The Cubs have struggled with the Brewers so far in 2019, and nothing that happened in this one erased that. But they came away with the win and if they can duplicate that feat A) the season series would be tied at three wins apiece and B) the Cubs would leave town with a two-game lead in the division. </p>
<p id="ibqMnY">I often think of these games as two sides of a coin. Like one of those paintings where if you tilt your head one way, you see one thing and if you tilt it the other, you’ll see something completely different. For this one, if you tilt your head the one way, you’ll see Milwaukee Brewers pitching stifling Cubs bats for a second straight day. There were at least 20 men on base in this one, nine hits, 10 walks and one hit batter. That’s not horrible over 14⅓ innings. It’s not great, but not horrible. Still, this previously potent Cubs offense managed a total of two runs over the first 23⅓ innings of this series. That is a normal average of less than one run per game. That’s not going to get it done. </p>
<p id="l23PHr">But, if you tilt your head the other way, you’ll see Cubs pitching holding an also potent Brewers offense to just one run in 15 innings today. Cubs pitchers did walk nine batters. But they allowed just four hits. That’s a superb showing. The Brewers continue to struggle to string together offense on the road. </p>
<p id="s9xmgR">This was the kind of game where some of the early heroes are largely forgotten by the end. <span>Cole Hamels</span> will be talked about below for his seven innings of work. But <span>David Bote</span>’s fine base-running and <span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> making contact with a pitch out of the zone but driving it into the gap to score Bote all of the way from first get lost in the shuffle. Without their performances, there is no win. </p>
<p id="RkgUMv">The Cubs used 19 players in the win. Sometimes it takes nearly the entire roster to get a win in one of these. That’s what it took this time. But it has to feel better for the Cubs than it does for the Brewers who used the same number in a loss. </p>
<p id="THtpwD">With that, we turn our attention to yesterday’s game as we look at what WPA had to say about Heroes and Goats. As always the Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA (Win Probability Added — <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/3/28/17159170/cubs-heroes-and-goats-2018-season-primer">here’s a good explanation of how WPA works</a>) and are not in any way subjective. Many days WPA will not tell the story of what happened, but often it can give at least a glimpse to who rose to the occasion in a high leverage moment or who didn’t get the job done in that moment. Also note, for the purposes of Heroes and Goats, we ignore the results of pitchers while they are batting and hitters while they are pitching. With that, we get to the results.</p>
<p id="NfUlHA"><strong>Game 37, May 11: </strong>Cubs 2, Brewers 1 (23-14)</p>
<div id="IGdbmD">
<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2019-05-11&team=Cubs&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2019-05-11&team=Cubs&dh=0&season=2019">FanGraphs</a></span>
</div>
<p id="6M66sm"><strong>THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="xqZYlS">
<strong>Superhero: </strong><span>Tyler Chatwood</span> (.615). These extra-inning relief appearances are great for stacking WPA. Chatwood’s stacks a little extra because he inherited a runner on first in this one. He induced a double play then went on to throw four scoreless innings and pick up a win. He didn’t allow any hits and struck out seven. The Cubs bullpen threw eight innings of relief and allowed just one hit and six walks. </li>
<li id="RJwKwx">
<strong>Hero: </strong><span>Cole Hamels</span> (.276). Cole deserved a win in this one. He threw seven innings and allowed three hits, three walks and one run. He struck out five. </li>
<li id="76OaMN">
<strong>Sidekick: </strong><span>Willson Contreras</span> (.163). This one feels like a tough crowd with Willson way down here. He did have two hits in seven at bats and, of course, the walk off home run to end it. He was also involved in the second biggest play of the game by WPA. That one was a double play he hit into with runners on first and second and no outs in the 11th. (-.187)</li>
</ul>
<p id="bgRru6"><strong>THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="q0cpVX">
<strong>Billy Goat: </strong><span>Jason Heyward</span> (-.259). Jason had a triple in the first inning. He was then retired six straight times. His big contribution on the downside was a line drive that was snagged in the 10th with a runner on second, no outs, and turned into a double play. (-.173)</li>
<li id="9eEP3s">
<strong>Goat: </strong><span>Addison Russell</span> (-.213). Addison came into this one late and struck out in his only two at bats. One of those was with the bases loaded and two outs in the 13th. (-.156)</li>
<li id="L0KruP">
<strong>Kid: </strong>David Bote (-.117). This one feels exceptionally harsh. Without his run scored, there would have been no extras. David actually had a hit and two walks in six plate appearances. There was no signature moment in this one. He did hit into a double play, but this was basically just that the outs outweighed the times he got on.</li>
</ul>
<p id="ogAOMG"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>No doubt which play ends up here. Willson Contreras absolutely demolished a solo homer to end this one with one out in the 15th. (.423)</p>
<p id="cvHXcD">*Brewers Play of the Game: 187 is urban slang for murder. Willson murdered a potential game-ending Cubs rally in the 11th when he hit into a double play with runners on first and second with no outs. (-.187)</p>
<p id="wnm34o"><strong>Cumulative Standings Top/Bottom 3:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="bXJiW0">Willson Contreras 10</li>
<li id="aQsXLD">
<span>Jon Lester</span>/<span>Jose Quintana</span> 7</li>
<li id="Lkcisv">
<span>Carl Edwards Jr.</span> -8</li>
<li id="gmNM0H">
<span>Yu Darvish</span> -9</li>
<li id="Mzs2jt">
<span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> -11</li>
</ul>
<p id="30Dd50"><strong>Up Next: </strong>The Cubs will seek their 12th win in 14 games on Sunday night. Meanwhile, the Brewers will be looking for an eighth win in their last nine. Two red-hot teams also play for bragging rights and continue to battle for control of the National League Central. </p>
<p id="zSCuEf">The Cubs will send Jon Lester to the mound. Jon needs to throw six innings and minimize any damage to take his place among the league’s ERA leaders. Right now, he is 2-1 with a 1.41 ERA in 32 innings on the year. To qualify, he needs one inning per team game. Jon is coming off of a no-decision against the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a>. He threw six innings and allowed only two unearned runs on eight hits and no walks. He struck out six. He pitched against the Brewers twice last year. He was 1-1 and allowed three runs in 11⅔ innings of work. Current Brewers have 137 plate appearances against Jon. Lorenzo Cain has the most plate appearances against Jon (27, .946 OPS). <span>Ryan Braun</span> is a Brewer who has excelled against Jon (23, 1.028) and <span>Yasmani Grandal</span> one who has struggled (11, .455)</p>
<p id="sF3Rvl"><span>Jhoulys Chacin</span> starts for the Brewers. The 31-year-old righty is 3-3 with a 5.03 ERA in 39⅓ innings of work. Last time out he got a no decision against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>. He threw five innings and allowed three hits and two walks. He allowed two runs and struck out three before leaving after having thrown 98 pitches. He was 2-2 in five starts against the Cubs in 2018. He threw 28⅓ innings with a 1.59 ERA. Chacin has been much tougher against right-handed hitters (.643 OPS) than lefties (.769). The Cubs have 142 plate appearances against Jhoulys. Anthony Rizzo has the most plate appearances and the most success (26, 1.150). One Cub who has struggled is <span>Jason Heyward</span> (22, .589). Cubs as a whole have just a .593 OPS against him. </p>
<p id="FaYz2N">Something has to give, Chacin hasn’t been pitching very well in 2019, but he’s done extremely well against the Cubs. Hopefully the offense will break out and Lester will continue to sparkle and the Cubs can keep their streak of not losing a series alive. </p>
<div id="HJwfFm"><div data-anthem-component="poll:6331350"></div></div>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/12/18616362/2019-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-37Thomas Smith2019-05-11T19:30:22-05:002019-05-11T19:30:22-05:00Cubs 2, Brewers 1: Willson Contreras walks it off
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QdVqAozxFQgS1O45ZpB7ixZjcW4=/159x0:3614x2303/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63818608/1148515575.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This is getting to be a habit. A good habit!</p> <p id="idHgZe">That, my friends, is about as close as I’m probably ever going to get to a walkoff home run.</p>
<p id="sQ3IBi"><a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/11/b10199bc-18f7dcab-0edfce46-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Here, have a look at Willson Contreras’ blast [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="qpesA4"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/11/b10199bc-18f7dcab-0edfce46-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="27bU3y"></p>
<p id="aJJq4j">That’s my friend Matt, standing across the aisle in the light blue jacket. He got his hand on the ball, but couldn’t grab it. It rattled around on the back of the concourse and Mike Bojanowski nearly got it, but he was outrun for it.</p>
<p id="1TyXnk">We’re all happy anyway, as Contreras’ homer, the third walkoff homer in the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>’ last five games, gave them <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2019_05_11_milmlb_chnmlb_1">a 2-1, 15-inning win over the Brewers</a> on a miserable, cold, rainy afternoon at Wrigley Field.</p>
<p id="cspO7R">Oh, and three Cubs walkoff homers in five games? Here’s the last time they did that... in a month:</p>
<div id="AXAUTU">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a>: first time with 3 walkoff home runs in a month since April 1961</p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1127354394037633024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="YFrUcu">And because you’re going to ask:</p>
<ul>
<li id="XWjvpq">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196104140.shtml">April 14, 1961</a>, 3-2 over the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, Sammy Taylor</li>
<li id="bDLpv9">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196104150.shtml">April 15, 1961</a>, 9-5 over the Braves, Al Heist (grand slam!)</li>
<li id="A97BtC">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196104260.shtml">April 26, 1961</a>, 3-2 over the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a>, Don Zimmer</li>
</ul>
<p id="jRQSjj">Needless to say, we hope this year’s team is far better than that 94-loss 1961 Cubs ballclub. I think that’s a pretty safe bet. Also, those are not, as you surely know, some of the bigger names in franchise history, unlike the three guys who hit walkoffs this week.</p>
<p id="JplBzi">This game, which was played in a steady precipitation that ranged from drizzle to moderate rainfall, started out like Friday’s. <span>Cole Hamels</span> was solid over the first four innings, striking out the side in the first, then allowing one baserunner over each of the next three, but getting double plays from his defense each time. </p>
<p id="TVnZxW">Meanwhile, the Cubs got a leadoff triple from <span>Jason Heyward</span> but, inexplicably, Heyward broke for the plate on a bouncer to short and <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/11/bc18b700-b6cf1d90-804eb51f-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">was thrown out fairly easily [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="TBDK1c"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/11/bc18b700-b6cf1d90-804eb51f-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="0I9JLa"></p>
<p id="vKJ4ks">I mean, I understand runs have been at a premium in this series, but why take the chance with nobody out in the first inning?</p>
<p id="5g1Mwn">The Brewers also turned a double play in the second, and so the game went to the fifth scoreless. Then, after yet another double play, <span>Hernan Perez</span> homered off Hamels, which prompted me to ask Mike, “Didn’t we see this game yesterday?”</p>
<p id="R0gxyA">We had, nearly, but the Cubs tied up the score in the last of the fifth. With two out, <span>David Bote</span> singled and <span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/11/e2ff6a36-e8c5d8ad-9495e082-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">sent one into right-center [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="vc9qCF"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/11/e2ff6a36-e8c5d8ad-9495e082-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="WEzD0y"></p>
<p id="FtU2gT">That was a fantastic, Javier Baez-style swim slide and Bote just got his hand on the plate before the tag from <span>Yasmani Grandal</span>, tying the game 1-1.</p>
<p id="g72dT8">Little did we know that would be the last run scored for nine-plus innings.</p>
<p id="i0QMtO">Hamels finished up with seven strong innings, allowing three hits and three walks, striking out five. And the Cubs had plenty of chances to win this game along the line. I managed to keep score until the middle of the eighth, when my card slipped and fell into the water on the bench below me. I put it away, to find when I got home that it had survived. The paper the scorecards are made on this year have some sort of coating that (mostly) resists water. It’s a bit warped, but I can finish it up.</p>
<p id="kirTnR">In the ninth, the Cubs turned yet another double play — they wound up with six on the afternoon — and had a chance to score when <span>Kyle Schwarber</span> walked with one out. But Bote lined to left and Almora struck out, and on to extras we went.</p>
<p id="Y2s7a0"><span>Steve Cishek</span> threw a scoreless 10th and <span>Mark Zagunis</span>, pinch-hitting, led off with a walk. Say what you want about Zagunis, he does have good on-base skills. But Heyward hit a line drive speared by <span>Mike Moustakas</span> at second base, and Zagunis, too far off the base, was doubled off. The Brewers turned four double plays in this marathon.</p>
<p id="b9aqUV"><span>Brad Brach</span> threw a scoreless 11th. In the bottom of the inning, <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> led off with a walk and Baez singled, but Contreras hit into a double play (sensing a theme here?) <span>Schwarber</span> was given a Manfred and Bote walked, loading the bases, but Almora grounded out.</p>
<p id="6jJSzV"><span>Xavier Cedeno</span> began the 12th, and his Cubs career, by issuing a walk.</p>
<p id="EoQ2zj">And that’s when it was <span>Tyler Chatwood</span>’s turn. He was the last pitcher left in the bullpen, as <span>Carl Edwards Jr.</span>, <span>Brandon Kintzler</span>, <span>Kyle Ryan</span> and <span>Xavier Cedeno</span> had also thrown in this game and <span>Mike Montgomery</span>, with a 70-pitch outing two days ago, wasn’t available.</p>
<p id="9uHslB">Chatwood got a double-play ball and then struck out <span>Ryan Braun</span> — that one got a loud ovation from the remnants of a full house. In the bottom of the inning, <span>Kris Bryant</span> walked with two out, but Rizzo grounded out to end that frame.</p>
<p id="v6vAKz">On to the 13th and more Chatwood, and he was firing fastballs at 95-96 miles per hour. He issued a pair of walks, but also got a pair of strikeouts to end that inning. Baez doubled to lead off the bottom of the inning, and one out later Manfreds were given to Schwarber and Bote, bringing up Chatwood, as, again, he was going to be pitching even if this game had gone into tomorrow.</p>
<p id="90Bc5o">Now, how great would that have been if Chatwood, who is a decent hitter, won the game with a walkoff hit? Alas, he didn’t, he struck out. That brought up <span>Addison Russell</span>, who was booed each time he batted. That would have resulted in mixed feelings, I suspect, had Russell walked it off, but he, too, struck out.</p>
<p id="nqKLIY">Chatwood issued another walk in the 14th, but ended that inning with two strikeouts. The Cubs went 1-2-3 in that frame, so on we went to the 15th, the game now equalling the longest Cubs game of 2018 (the April 28 game at Arizona). Chatwood struck out two more and got an easy groundout for the final out, and then with one out in the bottom of the 15th, Contreras hit his blast and that’s where we came in.</p>
<p id="LABJzz">Kudos to Chatwood. He threw 41 strikes in 68 pitches over four innings, issuing three walks but striking out seven, and he gave up no hits over those innings. That’s very, very good bullpen work from him and I hope it really helps his confidence. It surely was a huge boost to the team, even though now everyone in the pen was used (except Montgomery) in this four-hour, 56-minute game, the longest by innings and time at Wrigley Field this year. Maybe 2,000 of the announced 39,598 stuck around to see the excitement of Willson’s walkoff. Fun fact about this game:</p>
<div id="K1Ramm">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cubs announce that this is now the longest Cubs-Brewers game (in terms of innings) in Wrigley Field history. Previous was 14 innings on Sept. 18, 1999.</p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1127349394888712197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="BUUfgL">All’s well that ends well, right? The Cubs even up the series and move back to one game ahead of Milwaukee in first place in the N.L. Central. The <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> Saturday afternoon, so St. Louis trails by 2½ games and Pittsburgh by 3½.</p>
<p id="dPRQlG">Sunday, the Cubs are once again featured on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. It will be the Brewers’ first Sunday night appearance since 2013, and even Brewers manager <span>Craig Counsell</span> <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-christian-yelich-brewers-20190509-story.html">knows why the Brewers are on SNB</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="ed5MrX">“It’s Milwaukee. We’re not a major media market, so they’re not going to put us on Sunday night,” Counsell said. “We’re playing a big media market. It’s because we’re playing the Cubs.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="3aTKF1"><span>Jon Lester</span> will start for the Cubs and <span>Jhoulys Chacin</span> goes for the Brewers. Game time Sunday is 6:05 p.m. CT. And, unfortunately... <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-87.65540990761555&lat=41.94830869914995">there’s a chance of rain again</a>.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/11/18616194/cubs-brewers-recap-willson-contreras-tyler-chatwood-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2019-05-11T16:05:00-05:002019-05-11T16:05:00-05:00Overflow thread 3: Cubs vs. Brewers, Saturday 5/11, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/laKpNORBQ5BwyMWhbWnK13zRYmA=/0x220:2472x1868/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63818218/1148275830.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="I3YSzc">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/11/18536948/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-brewers-saturday-5-11-1-20-ctAl Yellon2019-05-11T15:20:00-05:002019-05-11T15:20:00-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Brewers, Saturday 5/11, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uYBy-h31mRX23tkKrgJOrFJyCxM=/719x1129:2531x2337/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63818100/usa_today_12680196.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="I3YSzc">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/11/18536945/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-brewers-saturday-5-11-1-20-ctAl Yellon2019-05-11T14:20:00-05:002019-05-11T14:20:00-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Brewers, Saturday 5/11, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8QLgF8Rib8SzLSV2SFXQeTLf1vU=/0x201:2129x1620/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63817935/usa_today_12678640.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="I3YSzc">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/11/18536942/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-brewers-saturday-5-11-1-20-ctAl Yellon2019-05-11T13:15:00-05:002019-05-11T13:15:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Saturday 5/11, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AgmhwG0xu5V-3cX4qujn_715xro=/395x103:3000x1840/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63817820/usa_today_12656330.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="I3YSzc">Go get ‘em, Cole.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/11/18536940/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-brewers-saturday-5-11-1-20-ctAl Yellon2019-05-11T11:30:00-05:002019-05-11T11:30:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers preview, Saturday 5/11, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nJgxLIUgaZ2ddQYtQjoa2Fa9ifE=/530x768:3224x2564/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63815349/usa_today_12679691.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs look to even up their set against the Brewers.</p> <p id="wlo14Y">This game will be better, we hope. Notes:</p>
<ul>
<li id="4FUjVP">Kris Bryant has reached base in 20 straight games, one shy of his career-long 21-game on-base streak, August 14-September 4, 2016. It’s the longest streak by a Cub since Ben Zobrist’s 25-game stretch, April 28-May 30, 2017.</li>
<li id="znDpKp">Willson Contreras went 2-for-4 Friday and has a nine-game hitting streak (.382/13-for-34), the longest single-season streak of his career (had a 10-game streak, September 28, 2016-April 13, 2017).</li>
<li id="uBnbKG">Javier Baez went 1-for-4 Friday and also has a nine-game hitting streak (.371/13-for-35), tied for the second-longest streak of his career. </li>
<li id="5mV7i2">Albert Almora Jr. went 1-for-4 with a double in Friday’s game and has six extra-base hits in his last 13 games. He had no extra-base hits in his first 21 games.</li>
<li id="SXKX98">The Cubs were shut out for the third time this year on Friday. The pitching staff still leads the major leagues with six shutouts.</li>
</ul>
<p id="V5PeI8">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="3IvQgQ"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="5oTj3o">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup. <br><br>Game preview: <a href="https://t.co/aQSwRnLczf">https://t.co/aQSwRnLczf</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EverybodyIn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EverybodyIn</a> <a href="https://t.co/yK54XFml20">pic.twitter.com/yK54XFml20</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1127221294376919040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="S2sAfW"><a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="kpFjmx">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brewers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brewers</a> lineup for game 2 of our series against one of our rivals. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThisIsMyCrew?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThisIsMyCrew</a> <a href="https://t.co/KA1CtzVYgQ">pic.twitter.com/KA1CtzVYgQ</a></p>— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brewers/status/1127224770507022337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h2 id="V5jSYv">
<span>Cole Hamels</span>, LHP vs. <span>Zach Davies</span>, RHP</h2>
<div class="c-float-left"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DAkyvxbLAL5RqPxp2JdyDpVYCB4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16011054/usa_today_12381334.jpg">
<cite>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8vEJlfjtTN68YZarAkPONCPuBsY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16011083/usa_today_12382868.jpg">
<cite>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<p id="KDLi9P">Cole Hamels pitched well in <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL201904060.shtml">the only game the Cubs won in Miller Park back in April</a>, throwing six innings and allowing just two runs, with no walks and five strikeouts.</p>
<p id="dC67ya">Hamels threw seven shutout innings vs. the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Marlins</a> in Miami April 17, but since then has just been “okay” in three starts: 4.32 ERA, 11 walks in 16⅔ innings. He’ll have to be better than that this afternoon. <span>Ryan Braun</span> is a Brewer who’s hit him very well over the years: .302 (13-for-43) with three home runs. Keeping the ball in the yard is the key to beating the Brewers in this one.</p>
<p id="7JX5pv"><span>Zach Davies</span> threw 5⅔ innings against the Cubs <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL201904070.shtml">April 7 at Miller Park</a>, and held the Cubs to two unearned runs. Davies has been very good all year and enters this game second in the N.L. in ERA (1.55) and first in ERA+ (280). Davies has allowed only three home runs in 40⅓ innings this year, but one Cub has torched him over the years: <span>Kris Bryant</span>, who is hitting .368 (14-for-38) against Davies with two doubles, a triple and two home runs. KB’s hot right now; perhaps the Cubs can ride his bat to victory today.</p>
<p id="mPBBqG">Today’s game is on ABC7 Chicago.</p>
<p id="cxuSIp"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2019/05/11">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="Xe5URc"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2019_05_11_milmlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2019/CHN201905110.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><span>SB Nation game preview</span></p>
<p id="c01E3n">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> site <a href="http://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>. If you do go there to interact with Brewers fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p id="4R9cxt">The 2019 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used in previous years. Here’s how it works.</p>
<p id="uNrOo7">You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p id="Jy7Er2">At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads” so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). They will also appear in the game’s StoryStream as noted above.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p id="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
<p id="PhSHRd"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/11/18536829/chicago-cubs-milwaukee-brewers-preview-saturdayAl Yellon