Dodgers at Cubs
The Chicago Cubs haven’t lost a series at home yet this season and will try to clinch another set when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The Cubs have won or split six straight home series dating to last campaign.
Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez both homered in support of Jose Quintana’s third straight strong outing to lead the Cubs to a 7-2 victory in Tuesday’s series opener. Chicago has won eight of its last 10 to move one game above .500 for the first time since capturing the season opener. The loss was just the second in nine games for the Dodgers, who failed to hit a home run for only the fourth time in 25 contests this year. Los Angeles averages a National League-best 5.52 runs per game but has scored two or fewer in six of its 10 losses.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA, KTLA (Los Angeles), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (2-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Cole Hamels (3-0, 2.77)
Buehler has been inconsistent through his first four starts, but he’s coming off his best outing of the campaign. The 24-year-old registered a season-high eight strikeouts while limiting Cincinnati to an unearned run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings on Wednesday. Buehler faced the Cubs in relief last season and was tagged for five runs and five hits in one frame.
Hamels has been dialed in during his last three starts, compiling 19 strikeouts over 21 innings without issuing a walk. The 35-year-old was dominant Wednesday at Miami, fanning a season-high eight batters while limiting the Marlins to three hits over seven scoreless frames. Hamels is 3-2 with a 1.86 ERA in nine career starts against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baez has hit five of his seven home runs this season to the opposite field, tying him with Cincinnati’s Jesse Winker for the most in the majors.
2. Dodgers LHP Rich Hill (knee) struck out 16 batters in six innings of a simulated game at extended spring training and will be activated to start Sunday against Pittsburgh.
3. Cubs SS Addison Russell will report to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday and is eligible to return from a 40-game suspension for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy on May 3.