White Sox at Cubs
The Chicago Cubs’ offense has been streaky so far this season, and right now they are in the middle of a hot stretch. They’ll try to keep the runs coming and claim a fifth consecutive victory when they host the crosstown-rival Chicago White Sox for the second of a three-game series Saturday.
The Cubs’ offense has come to life on the current homestand, as they’ve outscored opponents 42-11 while winning the first four games. Catcher Willson Contreras had the hottest bat Friday, going 4-for-5 with a pair of homers and seven RBIs - the most by a Cub since Aramis Ramirez in 2010 - in an 11-2 rout of the White Sox. The White Sox are in a tough position for the rest of the series after needing the bullpen to eat innings when Carson Fulmer couldn’t get out of the second Friday. The White Sox have lost six straight and 10 of their last 11.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago (White Sox), ABC 7 (Cubs)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (1-3, 5.14 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (2-1, 2.82)
Shields retired the first 16 batters he faced last time out and still wound up taking the loss in a 5-3 defeat against Minnesota. The 36-year-old is winless in seven outings (six starts) since earning a win on Opening Day at Kansas City, but he has recorded two straight quality starts. Shields is 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in five starts against the Cubs.
After benefiting from great run support in his first four starts, Lester has been on the short end of things recently. The Cubs have scored just seven runs across his last three outings, leaving the 34-year-old winless during that span despite allowing three or fewer runs in all three starts. Lester is 7-6 with a 4.30 ERA in 15 starts against the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs have recorded at least seven extra-base hits in consecutive games for the first time since September 11-12, 2011.
2. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu was 2-for-3 Friday and is batting .338 in 18 career games against the Cubs.
3. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant homered in five of his last eight games and has scored at least two runs in a career-high four consecutive games.