The Chicago Cubs hold a two-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for the top Wild Card spot as they open a critical three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ on Monday evening.
Wild Card Implications and Chase Field Matchup
Both the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks are battling in divisions led by the Dodgers and Brewers, respectively, with the Wild Card representing both teams’ best chance to make the postseason. The Cubs arrived in Phoenix looking to turn the road trip around after dropping the first two games in Seattle this weekend, though these games with Arizona are far more important for their playoff chances. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks sit only two games behind the San Diego Padres for the final Wild Card spot.
The late-August series brings a playoff atmosphere around these three games this week, adding some drama to the final week of August. The Cubs hold a 75-56 record coming into tonight’s meeting, while the Diamondbacks counter with a 69-62 mark. First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 PM CT, with television coverage available on Marquee Sports Network and radio broadcasts on 104.3 The Score.
Kevin Gausman Seeks Consistency on the Mound for Chicago
Right-hander Kevin Gausman takes the ball for the Cubs, looking to put together a complete outing after dealing with a scary left thumb cramp in his last outing against the Chicago White Sox. That issue limited the 35-year-old righty to 4.1 innings on 86 pitches. The former Toronto Blue Jay has yet to have a great start in a Cubs uniform, but outside of his 6-run game against the Washington Nationals, Gausman hasn’t allowed more than 3 runs in his last 5 starts.
His mix has been primarily fastball and splitters, leaning even more so on the splitter in his last start by throwing it 45 times against the White Sox. Gausman was hunting ground balls and got them with 50.0 percent of the balls hit in play, with expectations for more of that style tonight.
Opposing Gausman is 37-year-old right-hander Merrill Kelly for the Diamondbacks. Kelly enters the contest carrying a 5.37 ERA on the season, having surrendered five or more runs in three of his last four starts. Walks have also been a problem for Kelly, as he has given up three or more walks in three of his last four starts. While Kelly isn’t going to be striking many batters out, he can still get batters to chase with his breaking balls when he gets ahead in counts. The Cubs also faced Kelly earlier in the year, scoring 6 runs in 4.1 innings off the Diamondbacks starter.
Lineup Adjustments and Batting Streaks
Michael Conforto gets a second straight start as the Cubs’ designated hitter tonight after hitting a home run Sunday in Seattle. Conforto carries great numbers against Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly, boasting a 1.071 OPS and 3 doubles in 18 plate appearances. Michael Busch also has good numbers against Kelly with a home run and a double in 10 plate appearances.
The Cubs offense aims to maintain momentum following a 19-run outburst in their previous outing, where Pedro Ramirez and Ian Happ both hit grand slams and both led the team in RBIs. The team hopes there are more runs coming in tonight’s matchup with the Diamondbacks.
On the other side, the Diamondbacks are still without their second baseman Ketel Marte, who is on the 10-day IL with left knee inflammation and hamstring soreness. The 32-year-old was reportedly seen at a casino during one of the Diamondbacks’ games last week. Former Cub Ildemaro Vargas will get the start at second base for Marte once again in what is described as a strange situation in Arizona.
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