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Cubs' Nico Hoerner and Mariners Set for a Thrilling Face-Off at Wrigley Field

First Inning


As the Cubs gear up to face the Mariners at Wrigley Field, all eyes will be on Nico Hoerner, the Cubs' second baseman. Over the last three games, Hoerner has been a consistent performer, showcasing his prowess both in the field and at bat. With a batting average of .417 and an OPS of 0.917 across these games, he has been a crucial asset for the Cubbies. His fielding percentage stands at an impeccable 1.0, reflecting his reliability in defense.


Apr 14, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo (58) looks towards first base after committing an error during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

In their recent matchup against the Brewers on June 18th, Hoerner demonstrated his ability to maintain composure under pressure with a batting average of .333 and an OPS of 0.666. His performance was instrumental in keeping the Cubs competitive throughout the game.


On the other side, Julio Rodríguez of the Mariners is another player to watch out for. The center fielder has shown flashes of brilliance with a batting average of .111 over three games but has struggled to find consistency. However, his fielding remains solid with no errors recorded.


Apr 14, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco (7) runs towards first base after hitting a 2-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Middle Innings


The middle innings will likely see significant contributions from Cubs' outfielder Kyle Tucker and Mariners' shortstop J.P. Crawford. Tucker's standout performance came against the Brewers where he hit an impressive .750 with an OPS of 2.0, making him a formidable presence in the lineup.


Crawford has been a steady performer for Seattle with a batting average of .222 and an OPS of 1.089 over three games. His exceptional game against Cleveland saw him hitting .333 with an OPS of 1.833, highlighting his potential to change the course of any inning.


Apr 14, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger (17) runs towards first base after hitting a single against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching will also play a critical role during these innings as both teams have strong contenders on their rosters. For Chicago, Caleb Thielbar stands out with an ERA of 0.0 and WHIP of 1.0 over two appearances, proving to be a reliable option from the bullpen.


Seattle's Bryan Woo is expected to make waves with his impressive stats: ERA of 0.0 and WHIP of 0.4286 across two starts, indicating that he could pose significant challenges for Chicago's hitters.


Final Innings


As we approach the final innings, Dansby Swanson from Chicago is expected to step up once again as he did against Pittsburgh on June 14th where he delivered a remarkable performance hitting .333 with an OPS of 1.666 including one home run.


Mariners' catcher Cal Raleigh could also be pivotal during these closing moments given his recent form against Boston where he achieved a staggering batting average of .750 along with two runs scored which helped secure victory for Seattle.


Both teams have displayed resilience throughout their previous encounters making this upcoming clash even more intriguing as they battle it out under Chicago skies at Wrigley Field come June 20th at 2:20 PM ET broadcasted live via ROOT Sports NW network – don't miss it! Share this article if you're excited about this thrilling matchup!

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