Gausman blanks Diamondbacks as Cubs close it out 7-0
Kevin Gausman fired seven scoreless innings and Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly each homered as the Cubs blanked the Diamondbacks 7-0, and Chicago heads back to Arizona leading the NL Wild Card by five games.
Gausman's best start since the trade
Diamondbacks7-0Chicago closed out its series in Phoenix with a 7-0 win over the Diamondbacks on August 24, built on Kevin Gausman's line of 7.0 innings, three hits, no earned runs, one walk and six strikeouts — per @TalkinBaseball_, his best start since being traded to the Cubs. Michael Conforto went 3-for-3 with a double and a home run and drove in two, and Carson Kelly added a home run and an RBI of his own. The Cubs' own account summed it up simply: "Seven innings of Kevin Gausman."
The win came in a stretch that has gone 2-3 over the last five games, but it hasn't cost Chicago ground: the Cubs still lead the National League Wild Card by five games over Philadelphia, with an elimination number of 26 standing between them and a spot.
Steele's bullpens have Foul Territory asking about relief
Justin Steele, on the 60-day IL with an elbow injury, threw two more live bullpen sessions and is hoping to begin a rehab assignment soon, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reported August 24.
The progress was notable enough that Foul Territory TV raised the question of whether the Cubs could use Steele out of the bullpen, including in the playoffs, once he's ready to return, rather than immediately restoring him to the rotation.
Upcoming
Clay Holmes takes the ball for the Cubs carrying a 5-6 record and a 2.49 ERA, though his last start, against the White Sox on August 19, was rough — 5.1 innings, six hits, two walks and just one strikeout in a loss. Arizona counters with Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.39 ERA), who also struggled last time out, allowing five earned runs over 5.2 innings against Boston on August 19 without a decision.
The Cubs are in Arizona tonight looking to make it two straight over the Diamondbacks after Monday's shutout, but neither scheduled starter is working off a strong recent outing.
Chicago is favored on the road, and the total sits at a middling number that doesn't project a shootout given how both Holmes and Pfaadt pitched last time out. For Arizona to cover, Pfaadt will need to look more like the pitcher with a 3.39 ERA than the one who gave up five runs to Boston.