Cubs vs. Diamondbacks: Hendricks vs. Kelly (Game 18)
CHC (8-9): RHP Kyle Hendricks (0-3, 5.40 ERA)
ARZ (10-9): RHP Merrill Kelly (1-1, 3.79 ERA)
First pitch at 1:20pmCDT
Kyle Hendricks will take the mound to open the six-game homestand. Nothing has looked right for the changeup artist in the early going. His strikeouts are down, his walks are up, he’s not getting enough groundballs, and the results have been what you’d expect with those peripherals. The current Diamondbacks roster has struggled against him to the tune of 11 hits, 2 walks, and no homeruns in 55 ABs. So far, the Diamondbacks have a middle-of-the-pack team offense. They are 9th in the NL in wRC+ and 7th in wOBA.Merrill Kelly is getting his first crack at MLB after spending 2015-2018 in the KBO. He’s yet another fresh face to this Cubs lineup. He’s been good so far in three starts. It’s an absurdly small sample, but lefties have slashed .320/.320/.520 against him in that time. Given that and a cold wind roaring in from left field, expect Joe to stack the lineup with lefties.
Have fun following this afternoon game. Be sure to look busy whenever the boss passes by.
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