IOWA CUBS (13-7) vs. LOUISVILLE BATS (8-14)
Thursday, April 27, 2023 • 12:08 PM • Principal Park • Des Moines, IA
RHP Kyle Hendricks (0-0, -.--) vs. RHP Chase Anderson (2-1, 3.15)
IOWA CUBS (13-7) vs. LOUISVILLE BATS (8-14)
Thursday, April 27, 2023 • 12:08 PM • Principal Park • Des Moines, IA
RHP Kyle Hendricks (0-0, -.--) vs. RHP Chase Anderson (2-1, 3.15)
TODAY’S GAME: Iowa and Louisville are set to play game three of the series this afternoon, with both teams looking to take control of the series. Expected to take the bump for Iowa is 2016 World Series Champion with the Chicago Cubs, Kyle Hendricks as he begins his Major League Rehab assignment. The veteran right-hander makes his return to Iowa in almost a decade with his last appearance in an I-Cubs jersey coming on July 6, 2014, just before his big league debut on July 10, 2014. Hendricks was limited to 16 starts for Chicago in 2022 due to a right shoulder strain that put him on the shelf from July 6 through season’s end and was ultimately diagnosed with a capsular tear in his right shoulder. Deciding to forego surgery and choosing the rest and recovery route, the Cubs great is ready to see live game action for the first time nearly ten months. Louisville is sending out right-hander Chase Anderson to take on the I-Cubs. Through four starts Anderson has tallied a record of 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA and 20.0 innings pitched. Anderson also leads the Bats with 16 strikeouts.
RING ‘EM UP: In yesterday’s outing starting pitcher Roenis Elías recorded nine strikeouts over his six innings of work. The nine punchouts from Elías tied a season high from an I-Cubs starting pitcher, with Riley Thompson also striking out nine batters in the second game of a doubleheader last Thursday at Buffalo. Coming into yesterday’s game, Elías had just nine strikeouts through his first three starts of the season, but the lefty matched his season total with some good stuff versus the Bats. As a team, the I-Cubs pitching staff rank towards the bottom of the International League when it comes to strikeouts, however. Through the first 20 games of the season Iowa has 174 strikeouts, which ranks 16th in the league and averages to 8.7 strikeouts per game.
ERRORS STREAK: For the sixth consecutive game the I-Cubs defense has made at least one error in a game. Second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni and shortstop Sergio Alcántara were the guilty parties in yesterday’s contest with a throwing error and a fielding error. With the current six-game error streak, Iowa has the longest active streak in the International League along with Scranton/Wilks-Barre who also have six-straight games committing an error. However, the I-Cubs have not let the defensive slip-ups cost them from getting positive results as they are 4-0 on the season when they have committed two errors in a game. On the year, Iowa recorded 20 errors, which is tied for 15th in the International League.
FLIP THE SCRIPT: In the first game of the series against Louisville it was a tough outing for the first four hitters in Iowa’s lineup. Christopher Morel, Miles Mastrobuoni, Matt Mervis and David Bote went a combined 1-for-16 with eight strikeouts at the dish. In the second game of the series, it was a much different story for the top four hitters in Iowa’s lineup. Morel, Mastrobuoni, Bote, and Mike Tauchman combined to go 5-for-15 with three runs scored, three RBI, a double, a home run, four walks drawn, and four strikeouts.
EXTRA, EXTRA: The Iowa Cubs’ bats have provided the pop so far this season as they have hit a total of 74 extra-base hits. Christopher Morel is a big reason for that as he is tied for fourth in doubles (7), tied for second in home runs (8), and ranks first in total extra base hits (16) in the International League. Yonathan Perlaza is also a league leader, along with 11 other players, with two triples on the year. In yesterday’s game versus Louisville, Iowa scored six of its nine runs via an extra-base hit. Morel blasted a two-run homer, Perlaza contributed with a two-run triple, and Jake Slaughter knocked in two runs from two doubles.
AGAINST LOUISVILLE: Today will be the third game of a six-game series between Louisville and Iowa, with the series tied at 1-1 after Iowa’s victory yesterday. Iowa jumped back up to a two-game lead in the all-time series between the two teams, at 23-21 and are 14-9 in games here at Principal Park.
SHORT HOPS: Relief pitcher Cam Sanders was credited with the win yesterday, his first win since July 7, 2022, at Indianapolis…with Christopher Morel hitting his eighth home run of the season yesterday, Iowa improved to 10-3 in games when he has hit a homer…the I-Cubs have yet to lose on a Thursday this season as they are a perfect 4-0 so far in 2023.
