2017 ScheduleAll times ET

2017 Schedule
84-67, 1st in NL Cent
Play
5h

BBTN: Fan Safety, Dodgers' Issues, Hinch

Before chatting with Astros manager A.J. Hinch, Buster Olney talks to Keith Law and Jon Sciambi about fan safety, the Dodgers' bullpen woes, Jake Arrieta's health and more.

David Schoenfield ESPN Senior Writer 

The Dodgers had a chance to clinch the NL West on Wednesday, but instead suffered a third straight loss to the lowly Phillies, who will go for the series sweep on Thursday. The Dodgers are 5-20 over their past 25 games and their magic number remains at two. The Red Sox did clinch at least a wild-card spot with their win and the Angels' loss. Other magic numbers: Red Sox: 8 (to win AL East) Cubs: 8 (to win NL Central) Yankees: 3 (to clinch wild card) Diamondbacks: 4 (to clinch wild card)

Brian Blanco/Getty Images
15hJesse Rogers

Cubs need Jon Lester to find a fix by October

The veteran lefty says he's fine physically, but after getting routed by the Rays on Wednesday, he's still searching for his command down the stretch.

play
Lester struggles in Cubs' loss to Rays (0:56)
play1:03

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

Watch Joe Maddon discuss the struggles of lefty Jon Lester.

play1:49

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

Watch Jon Lester discuss his struggles after falling to the Rays on Wednesday.

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

The Cubs lost 8-1 to the Rays as once again Jon Lester had a very shaky outing. He didn't make it out of the fifth while giving up runs in three different innings including the first when Steven Souza Jr homered off him. Lester has now given up a league leading 8 home runs in the opening inning this year. His ERA is 5.11 since the all star break after 7 Rays crossed the plate on 8 hits, 3 walks and three stolen bases. He also didn't strike out anyone in 4.1 innings. The Cubs offense did next to nothing off lefty Blake Snell but Lester's subpar performance has the biggest meaning for the team.

play
Lester unravels in the 5th (1:12)

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

Jon Lester gave up 7 runs on 8 hits, 3 walks and a hit batter on Wednesday over 4.1 innings without striking anyone out. The Rays also stole 3 bases on him. The Cubs lefty simply hasn't been sharp, especially to start games, as his second half ERA ballooned to 5.11.

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

Jon Lester gave up two stolen bases to Steven Souza in the fifth inning, both on errant throws, to first base and third base, respectively. Neither were scored as errors but if either were on target Souza would have been nabbed. Its only the 18th and 19th stolen bases against Lester this year, down from a league high of 44 in 2015. He gave up 28 stolen bases last season.

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

Jon Lester has tied teammate John Lackey for most first inning home runs given up in the NL as Steven Souza Jr took him deep early in Wednesday's game. Lester and Lackey have both given up eight home runs in the first inning this season which is also the same amount Gio Gonzalez has served as well.

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

Javier Baez hasn't talked to his family in Puerto Rico since last night. He thinks they are safe and should be able to reach them around game time.

David Schoenfield ESPN Senior Writer 

Let's talk magic numbers. The Astros, Indians and Nationals have already clinched division titles, and the Dodgers can join them tonight. Their number is two, so they need a win over the Phillies -- the Phillies won the first two games of the series -- and a Diamondbacks loss to the Padres to pop the champagne. Will they stay up in Philly to possibly celebrate? Other magic numbers: Red Sox: 9 Cubs: 9

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

The Cubs announced their rotation for their weekend series against the Brewers. Jake Arrieta will return from his hamstring injury on Thursday followed by John Lackey for Friday's game, Kyle Hendricks on Saturday and then Jose Quintana in the finale on Sunday. Going into Wednesday night's action the Cubs lead the Brewers by 3.5 games.

ESPN Stats & Info

Tuesday's longest home runs

It was a tight race at the top, with Kyle Schwarber's laser to right-center narrowly edging out Hunter Pence and Justin Upton. Oakland's Matt Chapman and Tampa Bay's Brad Miller round out the group.

play1:10

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

Watch Joe Maddon discuss the video montage the Rays played for him and the fan reaction in his return to Tampa/St.Pete on Tuesday.

play1:45

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

Watch Mike Montgomery discuss getting a start after being told he would be in the bullpen. He gave up one hit over 6 innings in the Cubs 2-1 win over the Rays on Tuesday.

play
Cubs extend win streak to seven (1:04)

Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer 

The Cubs beat the Rays 2-1 behind a solid pitching performance by Mike Montgomery and three relievers including Wade Davis who pitched in his fourth consecutive game while earning his 32nd save in 32 tries. He struck out the side in the ninth in front of a heavily pro-Cubs crowd. Kyle Schwarber's second inning HR and Javier Baez' RBI double in the fifth were enough offense thanks mostly to Montgomery who threw a one hitter without walking anyone over six innings. Brad Miller took him deep to break up the no-no but the Cubs got the victory and reduced their magic number to win the division to just nine with 12 games remaining.

play
Contreras nabs foul-tip strikeout (0:30)

Team Stats

  • Batting
  • Pitching
Runs7657th
Batting Average.25516th
On Base Percentage.3384th
Slugging Percentage.4408th
Earned Run Average4.0710th
Quality Starts73Tied-7th
WHIP1.2910th
BAA.2395th

Find Tickets