dpIt doesn’t matter where the production is coming from for the Chicago Cubs, as long as it keeps coming.
The lineup has been stout at times, particularly this week in a pair of road victories against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Cubs will vie for a sweep of the three-game series on Thursday afternoon; they’ve won 12 of their last 15 games overall.
The Orioles have a three-game losing streak for the third time in less than a month. Even a victory Thursday won’t prevent Baltimore’s fourth consecutive series loss at home.
Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has 14 home runs since June 3 after going deep twice Wednesday night as part of Chicago’s five-homer outburst in a 9-7 victory over the Orioles.
In the two games in Baltimore, seven different Cubs have driven in at least one run. Chicago has had production at the bottom of the batting order and the top.
“Getting contributions at different places of the lineup is something that is going to make us consistent, and that’s important,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.
The Orioles hit four home runs Wednesday, including two from pinch hitters.
“That’s what I love about the guys that, they’re not in the lineup, they know their name could be called and they’re ready for it,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said. “And our guys did a good job of fighting back.”
The starting time of the series finale has been moved up five hours to 1:35 p.m. ET because of weather concerns.
The Orioles will have left-hander Trevor Rogers (6-7, 4.70 ERA) as their starting pitcher. He has had four strong outings in a row, giving up a total of three runs across 24 innings while going 3-1.
Rogers avoided giving up a run in five innings Friday in a 3-0 victory at Cincinnati despite issuing a season-high five walks.
He has faced the Cubs once in his career, going 0-1 despite giving up one run in eight innings and striking out eight last August.
The Cubs will turn to a left-handed starter for the second time in the series, with David Peterson (4-7, 6.75 ERA) getting the nod. He has won once since May 21 and will try to make amends from his last performance, when St. Louis racked up 10 runs in 3 2/3 innings against him on Friday in the Cardinals’ 17-1 victory.
Peterson is 1-1 with a 2.66 ERA in five all-time outings covering 23 2/3 innings against Baltimore.
The Orioles didn’t score in six innings Tuesday against Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, adding to what has been a troublesome trend for Baltimore’s offense against left-handers.
The Cubs might have other pitching options this week.
Right-hander Jameson Taillon, who has been on the injured list, is with the team in Baltimore after working a brief rehabilitation outing Sunday for High-A South Bend. He’s not scheduled to pitch right away, but if the rotation is altered, “then he would be available on a limited basis,” Counsell told the Chicago Tribune.
One thing that has been clear to Counsell is that the Orioles will alter their lineup with in-game strategy, so that will factor into making moves to the Chicago bullpen. Baltimore had pinch-hit home runs from Tyler O’Neill and Coby Mayo on Wednesday.
“Knowing they’re going to unload benches at times,” Counsell said.
–Field Level Media
