Series Preview: Javier Baez debut, Cubs at Rockies

Javier Baez is excepted to make his big league debut when the Chicago Cubs play a three-game series against the last place Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Baez batted .260 with 23 home runs and 80 RBIs in 104 games at Triple-A Iowa. The 21-year-old, however, is hitting .300 with 12 home runs since July 1 after a two-homer performance Sunday.

Baez’s arrival will likely push Arismendy Alcantara, who was called up last month, to the outfield with the Cubs 2011 first-round pick taking over second base.

All games on WGN-AM 720

Tuesday: 7:40 p.m., CSN-Plus
LH Travis Wood (7-9, 5.10) vs LH Brett Anderson (1-3, 3.12)

Wednesday: 7:40 p.m., CSN
RH Jake Arrieta (6-2, 2.11) vs. RH Jordan Lyles (5-1, 3.52)

Thursday: 2:10 p.m., WGN
RH Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 2.05) vs TBA

Who’s hot: Anthony Rizzo has an eight-game hit streak and has a hit in 18 of his last 19. Starlin Castro went 7-for-12 with three RBIs in the last series. Chris Coghlan is batting .455 (11-for-23) during his six-game hitting streak. Rockies Justin Morneau has hit in seven of his last eight and Brett Anderson has allowed just three runs in last 20 1/3 innings.

Who’s not: The Cubs have not won a series in Colorado since August 2004. Travis Wood is winless in his last eight starts and Nate Schierholtz is 0-for-16. The Rockies have lost seven of the last eight after being swept in Detroit this past weekend. Carlos Gonzalez is hitting .143 in last 23 games, including 1-for-14 against the Cubs last week at Wrigley Field. Charlie Blackmon is 1-for-14 and D.J. LeMahieu is 0-for-18.

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