Cubs at Dodgers
After moving back into a first-place tie with Milwaukee atop the National League Central, the Chicago Cubs look to take another step forward on Sunday in the finale of their four-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicago dropped the first two games of the set before rallying for a 2-1 victory on Saturday.
Yu Darvish and Walker Buehler each tossed seven strong innings Saturday before Chicago's Anthony Rizzo belted a go-ahead, two-run homer off closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning, ending Jansen’s scoreless streak at 10 1/3 innings. The Dodgers remain firmly in control of the NL West race but need more production from outfielder Joc Pederson, who went 0-for-3 from the leadoff spot Saturday and is hitless in his last 26 at-bats. The Cubs are 27-19 in their last 46 games and trending upward with newly signed closer Craig Kimbrel expected to join the team by the end of the month. Rizzo has gone deep in back-to-game games and is batting .321 with 16 homers and 40 RBIs in his last 49 games.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (4-6, 3.89 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (9-1, 1.36)
Quintana walked a season-high four batters and allowed four runs (three earned) over 4 2/3 innings in last Tuesday’s 10-3 loss to Colorado. The 30-year-old has posted a 4.38 ERA over his last seven starts covering 39 innings but is seeking his first victory since May 5. Quintana is 1-1 with a 1.71 ERA in four career starts versus Los Angeles – including 0-1 with a 1.40 mark in three outings at Dodger Stadium.
Ryu turned in another strong outing last Monday in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing one run on seven hits over six innings with six strikeouts. The 32-year-old has been sensational this season with a 77-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 13 starts covering 86 innings. Carlos Gonzalez is 5-for-15 with a home run against Ryu, who owns a 1-1 record and 4.24 ERA in three career starts versus the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs are 24-11 at home compared to 15-20 on the road.
2. Dodgers OF Cody Bellinger is batting .294 with five homers and 11 RBIs in 16 career games against the Cubs.
3. The Cubs placed Kyle Hendricks on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation and recalled fellow RHP Rowan Wick from Triple-A Iowa.