Cubs vs. Cleveland: Series Thread (Games 73 & 74)

The Cubs took the final game of the series against the Marlins to avoid the sweep. Next they have two games against Cleveland. The Cubs enter the series tied for first in the NL Central with the Brewers. Cleveland enters 2.5 games behind the White Sox in the AL Central. See below for the pitching matchups.

Game 73, Monday, June 21, 7:05 pm central

CHC: RHP Adbert Alzolay (4-5, 4.06 ERA)

CLE: RHP Aaron Civale (10-2, 3.48 ERA)

Alzolay returns from the IL for the blister issue. It's been two weeks from his last start, a three-inning outing in which his command was noticeably off. Prior to that, he'd enjoyed a string of 7 starts in which he'd gone at least five innings. He took a loss in Cleveland on May 11, when he allowed three earned runs in five innings of work. Cesar Hernandez and Jose Ramirez each took him deep.

26-year-old Civale has enjoyed a great first half, due largely to a very low BABIP so far. He won his last start despite allowing five earned runs in five innings to the Orioles. In the start before that, he pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out eleven Mariners. The Cubs last saw him on September 16 of 2020, when he allowed two earned runs on seven hits in six innings. This will be his second career appearance against the Cubs.

Game 74, Tuesday, June 22, 7:05 pm central

CHC: RHP Kyle Hendricks (9-4, 4.13 ERA)

CLE: RHP Eli Morgan (0-1, 12.79 ERA)

Hendricks earned his seventh win in as many starts by pitching six shutout innings in New York. Over that stretch he's had an ERA of 2.54. This will be his first 2021 appearance against Cleveland.

Morgan has made a pair of spot starts for Cleveland, and neither of his first two outings have gone very well. In his debut, he allowed six earned runs in 2.2 innings to Toronto, surrendering eight hits and two walks. Three weeks later, he struck out five Orioles in 3.2 innings while allowing three earned runs including two homers. The 25-year-old righty's best pitch is a changeup, his fastball sits in the high 80s, and his batted balls have skewed very much toward the air since he's reached AA and above.