Cubs vs. Braves: Alzolay vs. Fried (Game 79)

CHC (43-35): RHP Adbert Alzolay (1-0, 2.25 ERA)
ATL (46-33): LHP Max Fried (8-3, 4.03 ERA)
First pitch 7:05pmCDT

Willson Contreras blew up over a confectionery debate and then the Cubs offense blew up to defeat Atlanta in the series opener. Adbert Alzolay takes the mound for his first MLB start with a win and a standing ovation already under his belt. He gave us a good look at his plus fastball and plus curveball as he pitched four innings in relief of Chatwood. He struck out five Mets and allowed a solo homerun as the only hit. The Atlanta offense has been better vs. righties than lefties.Max Fried most recently went six innings and allowed two earned runs in a win against the Mets. Righties have been relatively successful off of him this season, posting a .789 OPS. He's lowered his walk rate and has thrown first pitch strikes 64.2% of the time. The only current Cub to have earned a hit off of him is Carlos Gonzalez, as they have collectively gone 1-28. So, they're due.

Comments

Machado also carries OBP >.400. If not for DL stint he'd probably lead the PCL in BBs (a category where Happ is tied for 2nd, btw)...

schwarber / bryant(RF) / rizzo / baez / contreras / bote(3rd) / russell / alzolay / almora

aww...alzolay couldn't quite get out 3 in the 5th.  he probably should have been yanked a batter or 2 earlier, though.

4.2ip 1h 4bb 4k, 1r/er

mike montgomery pitching to d.swanson with the bases loaded...okay...

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

he did nothing wrong, it's just baseball being baseball, but that was a huge letdown.

i'm just over here waiting on a 9th inning miracle.  i'm not going to bed for an hour or so.  i could use some entertainment.

also, tommy la stella hit his 16th HR on the season for LAA...inside the park.

K-DUB: I have seen Manuel Espinoza pitch: mediocre 87-90 MPH FB, plus-CH, solid CV, and outstanding command.  

I have mentioned this before, but Espinoza was signed by the Cubs on the same day and by the same Area Scout in July 2017 as fellow Mexican RHP Florencio Serrano Jr, and like Serrano, Espinoza's contract was investigated by MLB. And also like Serrano, Espinoza missed the entire 2018 season while his contract was being investigated. 

But unlike Serrano, Espinoza's contract was ultimately approved by MLB (Serrano's contract was voided), and so he is making his pro debut a year later than was originally planned. (Serrano ended up signing with the Texas Rangers after his contract with the Cubs was voided and he skipped the AZL and went directly from Rangers EXST to the Northwest League, whereas Espinoza was assigned to the AZL after the conclusion of Cubs EXST).   

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40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on 60-DAY IL   

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Last updated 3-18-2023
 
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PITCHERS: 16
Adbert Alzolay
Javier Assad 
Brad Boxberger
Michael Fulmer
Kyle Hendricks
* Brandon Hughes
Julian Merryweather
Michael Rucker
Adrian Sampson
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele 
Marcus Stroman
Jameson Taillon 
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Hayden Wesneski
Rowan Wick

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Nick Burdi 
Tyler Duffey 
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Mark Leiter Jr 
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Yan Gomes

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* Dom Nunez  
Luis Torrens 

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Nico Hoerner
* Eric Hosmer
Nick Madrigal
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Christopher Morel
* Edwin Rios
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
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David Bote 
* Matt Mervis  

OUTFIELDERS: 5 
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Trey Mancini 
Seiya Suzuki 
Nelson Velazquez

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 2
Ben DeLuzio 
* Mike Tauchman   

OPTIONED: 8
Keven Alcantara, OF 
Miguel Amaya, C 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
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Jeremiah Estrada, P 
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Caleb Kilian, P 

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