The Chicago Cubs carry the longest winning streak in the major leagues into the opener of a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in a battle of division leaders.
Chicago extended its winning streak to nine games with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Philadelphia Phillies (nine straight losses) on Thursday.
“A nine-game winning streak is unusual,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “You could say we’ve done it against teams that are struggling. But hopefully we are part of that. That’s what I would like to say, that we have made it tough on them.”
Despite injuries that have thinned both the rotation and bullpen, Chicago — which is tied with Cincinnati for the National League Central lead — has thrived behind a strong defense. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs lead the majors in defensive runs saved with 12.
Starting pitcher Cade Horton and reliever Porter Hodge are out for the season with UCL injuries. Closer Daniel Palencia (left oblique strain) and relievers Phil Maton (right knee), Hunter Harvey (right triceps) and Ethan Roberts (finger laceration) are on the 15-day injured list.
Cubs left-hander Caleb Thielbar exited in the ninth inning Thursday after appearing to injure his leg.
“It’s left hamstring tightness,” Counsell said. “He felt it tightened up on him when he was out there.”
Michael Busch launched a three-run home run, and Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each drilled a solo shot to pace an 18-hit Cubs attack on Thursday. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs in batting average (.304), RBIs (22), hits (31) and doubles (seven).
The Cubs are tied for fifth in the majors in homers with 32.
“You have to hit home runs in this game to be a good offensive team,” Counsell said. “That’s for sure. I think we have been a well-rounded offensive group so far.”
Right-hander Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday. In his last outing, he allowed one run on five hits over six innings, walking three and striking out four in a 4-2 win Saturday over the New York Mets.
He is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers — tied with San Diego atop the NL West — who will start right-hander Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85) on Friday.
Sheehan didn’t factor into the decision in his last start on Saturday despite allowing two runs on four hits over five innings in a 4-3 loss against the Colorado Rockies.
Friday will mark Sheehan’s first career appearance against Chicago. The right-hander won his previous two outings this season before Saturday.
“The last three outings, each of them Emmet has gotten better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “(He’s had a) lot better quality of pitch making. The stuff. That’s something for us to build on.”
Andy Pages leads Los Angeles in batting average (.337), hits (30) and RBIs (21). Max Muncy leads the Dodgers with eight homers.
Los Angeles staved off a sweep by the San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 road win on Thursday.
Former Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason. Tucker started the series against the Giants in a 0-for-8 hole, was moved down to the cleanup spot and had two singles.
“Being there is fine,” Tucker said. “Wherever I am in the lineup, I want to help the team win. It’s been a little bit of a grind.”
–Field Level Media
