Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong Poised to Shine Against Rockies at Wrigley Field

First Inning

As the Cubs prepare to host the Rockies at Wrigley Field, all eyes will be on Pete Crow-Armstrong, the standout center fielder for the Cubbies. Over the past three games, Crow-Armstrong has demonstrated remarkable consistency and power at the plate. In a recent game against the Reds, he boasted an impressive batting average of .600 with an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 2.6, showcasing his ability to get on base and drive in runs effectively. His performance in that game was a testament to his prowess as he recorded three hits in five at-bats.

Crow-Armstrong's fielding has been equally stellar, maintaining a flawless fielding percentage of 100 percent across these games. This level of defensive reliability is crucial for the Cubs as they aim to stifle any offensive threats from the Rockies early in the game. As we look ahead to this matchup, Crow-Armstrong's ability to set the tone both offensively and defensively could be pivotal in establishing momentum for Chicago.

Middle Innings

The middle innings will likely see a strategic battle between pitchers and hitters from both teams. For the Cubs, Brad Keller has been a reliable presence on the mound as a relief pitcher. In his recent outing against Miami, Keller maintained an ERA of 0.0 and a WHIP of 0.0 over multiple innings pitched, showcasing his control and ability to keep opposing batters off balance.

Meanwhile, Julian Merryweather had a challenging outing against Cincinnati with an ERA of 27.0; however, his potential for redemption remains high given his previous performances where he managed an ERA of 0.0 in other appearances. The Cubbies' bullpen depth will be tested against Colorado's lineup which features formidable hitters like Ryan McMahon who has shown flashes of brilliance with a .500 average and OPS of 1.75 in their last game against New York.

For Colorado, Germán Márquez stands out with an impressive ERA of 1.286 over recent starts against Philadelphia, indicating that he can pose significant challenges for Chicago’s lineup during these critical innings.

Late Innings

As we approach the late innings, clutch performances become essential for securing victory. Nico Hoerner has proven himself as another key player for Chicago with consistent hitting stats including a .600 average and OPS of 1.6 during their clash with Cincinnati – making him one to watch when it comes down to crunch time.

On Colorado’s side, Brenton Doyle has exhibited potential despite some inconsistencies; his standout performance came against Philadelphia where he recorded an OPS of 2.083 – highlighting his capability to deliver under pressure.

In terms of pitching strategy late into games: Drew Pomeranz offers stability from Chicago’s bullpen having maintained an ERA of 0 across appearances while striking out batters efficiently (K/9 rate). This could prove decisive if called upon during tight situations towards closing stages.

Fans can catch this exciting matchup live on May 26th at Wrigley Field in Chicago starting at 2:20 PM ET via broadcast networks such as MARQ – don’t miss out! Share your thoughts about who you think will shine brightest by sharing this article with fellow baseball enthusiasts!