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Cubs @ Dodgers: Series Thread (Games 75-78)
The Cubs (41-33) have won four out of their last ten and fallen a half game behind the Brewers for the division lead. The'll spend their next ten games on the road, and they'll begin with a tough four-game assignment against the second in the NL West Dodgers (44-29). See below for the pitching matchups.
Game 75, Thursday, June 24, 9:10 pm central
CHC: RHP Zach Davies (4-4, 4.66 ERA)
LAD: RHP Walker Buehler (7-0, 2.38 ERA)
Davies worked through six innings at Wrigley while allowing eight earned runs to the Marlins in his last start. Before that, he had two consecutive scoreless starts of 6.0 and 6.2 innings.
Buehler is the first of several dominant starters the Cubs will face on this 10-game road trip. Last time out, he struck out eleven hitters over 7.1 innings and allowed two earned runs. He did not earn a decision in his prior start against the Cubs this season, going six innings and allowing two earned runs while striking out eight.
Game 76, Friday, June 25, 9:10 pm central
CHC: RHP Jake Arrieta (5-8, 5.45 ERA)
LAD: RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-0, 3.00 ERA)
Arrieta has been kind of a mess lately, making only one decent start over his last five. In his most recent start, he went only three innings and allowed six runs, four earned. It was his first walkless start of the season, but that doesn't really count as a silver lining when you give up six hits including two homers.
The 27-year-old Gonsolin debuted with the Dodgers in 2019 and had 14 major league starts under his belt going into the season. He's been quite effective in that time, keeping his career ERA under three so far. In his three 2021 starts, he has yet to see the end of the fourth inning, and he was a bit wild in his first two.
Game 77, Saturday, June 26, 6:15 pm central
CHC: RHP Alec Miills (3-1, 5.18 ERA)
LAD: LHP Luis Urias (9-3, 3.99 ERA)
It's hard to complain about Alec Mills. Expectations for him are roughly nil, and he's given Cubs fans a no hitter while serving mostly as a swing man and long reliever. In his three starts this season, he's held opponents to five earned runs and eaten 13.1 innings. His last start was his most effective, when went five and held Miami scoreless.
Urías entered the season a five-year veteran, which makes it hard to believe he's still only 24. 2021 is shaping up to be one of his better years despite the slightly higher ERA--he's actually improved his strikeout rate and walk rate so far. He did get knocked around a bit by the Padres; they scored six earned runs in 4.1 innings in his last start.
Game 78, Sunday, June 27, 6:08 pm central
CHC: RHP Adbert Alzolay (4-6, 4.19 ERA)
LAD: LHP Clayton Kershaw (8-7, 3.43 ERA)
Alzolay's slider and his recently blistered finger both appear to have survived the first round of "sticky stuff" enforcement in his last game. He took the loss but turned in a fairly typical Alzolay start. He struck out five and surrendered a pair of homers to Cleveland in 4.1 innings.
Kershaw is enjoying somewhat of a resurgence in 2021. The veteran lefty has already struck out 111 opponents, and the season has not yet reached its halfway point. Last time out he took the loss but only allowed three earned runs in six innings while striking out seven Padres. He lasted only one innings against the Cubs back on May 4, when he allowed four earned runs on four hits and two walks. It was the shortest start of the future Hall of Famer's career and he made no excuses. Watch out for a possible chip on his shoulder.
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