The Chicago Cubs (62-58) host the Kansas City Royals (39-84) on Friday to kick off a three-game series at Wrigley Field. The contest starts at 2:20 PM ET. This contest’s pitching matchup is set, as the Cubs will send Jameson Taillon (7-7) to the mound, while Cole Ragans (3-4) will get the nod for the Royals.
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Chicago vs. Kansas City Pitcher Matchup Info
- When: Friday, August 18, 2023 at 2:20 PM ET
- Where: Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois
- How to Watch on TV: MLBN
- Probable Pitchers: Taillon – CHC (7-7, 5.71 ERA) vs Ragans – KC (3-4, 4.21 ERA)
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Cubs vs. Royals Starting Pitcher Stats (2023)
| Taillon | Ragans | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | GS | 5 |
| 7-7 | W-L | 3-4 |
| 5.71 | ERA | 4.21 |
| 104 | IP | 47 |
| 32 | BB | 22 |
| 91 | SO | 51 |
Cubs Probable Starting Pitcher: Jameson Taillon
- The right-hander’s last appearance was on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays, when he tossed three innings, surrendering eight earned runs while allowing eight hits.
- The 31-year-old has an ERA of 5.71, with 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings, in 21 games this season. Opposing hitters have a .267 batting average against him.
- Taillon has four quality starts under his belt this year.
- He has made two appearances this season in which he did not give up an earned run.
- Taillon’s team is 8-13-0 against the spread this season in his starts.
- Out of Taillon’s 21 starts with a total this season, 10 have hit the over.
Taillon’s Recent Performance
| Opponent | Date | IP | H | R | ER | K | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at Blue Jays | Aug. 13 | 3.0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| at Mets | Aug. 8 | 7.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| vs. Reds | Aug. 3 | 5.0 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| at Cardinals | Jul. 29 | 6.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| vs. Cardinals | Jul. 23 | 5.2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
Royals Probable Starting Pitcher: Cole Ragans
- The left-hander gave up four earned runs in five innings pitched on Saturday in his last outing, a matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals.
- The 25-year-old has pitched in 21 games this season with an ERA of 4.21, a 2.32 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a WHIP of 1.362.
- In five starts this season, he’s earned two quality starts.
- He has 12 appearances this season with zero earned runs allowed out of his 21 chances this season.
- The Royals are 2-3-0 ATS in Ragans’ five starts with a set spread.
- Ragans’ starts with a set total this season have hit the over in one of five games.
Ragans’ Recent Performance
| Opponent | Date | IP | H | R | ER | K | BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. Cardinals | Aug. 12 | 5.0 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| at Red Sox | Aug. 7 | 6.2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 1 |
| vs. Mets | Aug. 2 | 6.0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| vs. Rays | Jul. 15 | 5.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| vs. Angels | Jun. 12 | 1.2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
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