The visiting Chicago Cubs will look to finish a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
With Saturday’s 5-3 win, Chicago (70-66) has received 5 straight and eight of 9 to maneuver into rivalry for a Nationwide League wild-card spot. The Cubs have been 18-8 in August and are 4 video games out of the third wild-card.
“We’ve got given ourselves an opportunity to play video games in September that depend and imply one thing,” Chicago supervisor Craig Counsell stated. “It took a very good month and it’ll take one other nice month.”
Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks (1-2, 4.18 ERA) is scheduled to pitch the finale towards rookie lefty Mitchell Parker (7-8, 4.26).
Wicks, who has been on the injured record, anticipated to make a rehab begin Friday for Triple-A Iowa. He was scratched and can as a substitute begin towards the Nationals because the rosters broaden Sunday.
The 24-year-old Wicks exited his begin towards the St. Louis Cardinals on June 14 after 1 2/3 innings with an indirect harm.
Jameson Taillon (9-8, 3.85) was slated to get the beginning however will doubtless be pushed again for Monday’s collection opener towards the Pittsburgh Pirates in Chicago.
Parker went 4 innings in his most up-to-date begin, a 5-2 dwelling loss to the New York Yankees final Monday. He gave up two runs on 5 hits and two walks whereas fanning 5.
Javier Assad pitched six innings, and Nico Hoerner had two hits and scored twice to guide the Cubs previous the Nationals on Saturday.
“I am happy with the resiliency of this group and it has been an extended highway journey, proper right here enjoying some actually good baseball, profitable shut video games in several methods,” Hoerner stated. “And we bought an opportunity to comb tomorrow.”
Andres Chaparro homered for Washington and Jose Tena had three hits.
Errors doomed the Nationals (61-75). Along with two fielding errors and an unearned run, baserunning was a problem. Washington bought two hits within the sixth inning, however Tena was out making an attempt to stretch his leadoff single right into a double and CJ Abrams was caught stealing after he singled with one out.
“No person talks in regards to the days we steal six bases. It looks like all people talks about once we do not make it,” supervisor Dave Martinez stated. “I do know it has been 50-50 right here currently, however we will play aggressive. That is the best way we play. Generally, we will win that battle. Generally, we will lose that battle.”
The Nationals put two males on within the ninth, however Dylan Crews and James Wooden struck out to finish it as Washington stranded eight runners on base.
“Some pitches I be ok with the takes, and too many tonight that have been excellent pitches to hit that I did not fireplace on,” Wooden stated after placing out 4 occasions. “Simply study from it, and once I get a superb pitch tomorrow, I will be prepared for it.”
In keeping with MLB.com, infielder/outfielder Darren Baker will probably be one in every of Washington’s September call-ups. The son of former Nationals and Cubs supervisor Dusty Baker, Darren, 25, was chosen by Washington within the tenth spherical of the 2021 Draft.
He’s hitting .285 with 20 doubles, two triples, 49 RBIs, 70 runs and 38 stolen bases in 112 video games with Triple-A Rochester.
Proper-hander Shawn Armstrong (3-2, 4.85 ERA), claimed off waivers from the Cardinals on Friday, was added to the lively Chicago roster.
–Area Degree Media
