While Chicago Cubs has carved its schedule at the beginning of the season, games against Los Angeles Dodgers have been a special issue.
Cubs fell to 0-3 against Dodgers this season after a 3-0 loss Friday. They will try to break the hex when the team meets each other for the middle competition in a three-game series on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Cubs dropped two matches against Dodgers in Japan last month and fell again Friday when the team engaged in a pitcher’s duel. Cub’s schedule has seven matches against Dodgers by April 23 and Chicago has six matches versus San Diego Padres this month with three against Philadelphia Phillies later this month.
“There is no doubt that April has very good teams on it,” said CUBS manager Craig Counsell. “It’s just a fact. Everyone plays the same schedule, so it’s not scary. It’s just that we’re in that part of it. The only thing you can do about it is to come out and play a good game.”
The right-wing dealer Ben Brown (1-1, 7.71 era) will take the pile for Chicago on Saturday.
Brown, who will make his third start of the season and 11th of his career, gave up five runs on seven hits over four rounds on Sunday against Padres.
He has met Dodgers this season and given up three runs (two earned) over a 2/3-inning relief in the season’s opening game at Tokyo.
The Cubs crime was held in control of Los Angeles right-wing dealer Yoshinobu Yamomoto in that game, and it was more of the same Friday when they were unable to make six rounds towards Dodger’s start.
Not only were the kids closed for the first time this season, they have on average on average 1.3 runs per match against Dodgers in three matchups.
After an disappointing 2-4 road trip, Dodger’s home returned to improve to 7-0 in his own ball park.
Tommy Edman was the difference for Dodgers with a three-run home run from Matthew Boyd in the sixth round Friday. Los Angeles pitching allowed two hits, while retiring the last 10 battles in the game.
Edman was acquired by Dodgers at the trading deadline last season and has been everything his new club could have hoped for. MVP for last season’s National League Championship Series ended up taking over on a card stop for the club’s playoff ending.
This season he has delivered six home purchases to bind for the early lead in NL.
“It’s just having a better swing,” Edman said at Spectrum Sportsnet LA broadcast. “I’m talking about it all the time but I think it just comes back to work in the cage. And then when it’s time for the game, trust what I have done to prepare. Just have a good idea of what I try to do on the plate with every jug.”
Edman will look to deliver driving support for right -handed Roki Sasaki on Saturday. The beginner struggled with his command while he issued nine walks during his first two starts but improved last Saturday in Philadelphia as he gave up a run over four rounds of two walks and four strikes.
“I think he was just more doomed in his quick ball,” said Dodgers Catcher Austin Barnes.
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