Once a “can’t miss” pitching prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, Chicago Cubs starter Edwin Jackson has never quite reached that once-billed potential, as witnessed in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Coming into the contest, Jackson owned a paltry 1-6 record and 5.76 ERA in 50.0 innings of work this season. Mediocre numbers at best, the Cubs would have to settle for more of the same in Thursday’s game.
Jackson gave up two runs in each of the first two innings of the game, surrendering six hits and striking out six batters in all. Jackson would be pulled following the third inning, his shortest outing of the season (after having thrown 64 pitches).
Jackson was projected to be the number two starter behind Jeff Samardzija in the weeks before opneing day, an optomistic outlook following the signing of a four-year, $52 million deal with the Cubs (a contract that can be seriously questioned in regards to its validity given the fact that Jackson has pitched decent at best in recent years, highlighted by a no-hitter thrown while as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010).
Despite a struggling Jackson, the Cubs rotation has been one of the bright spots in a rarther mediocre season for the north-side bunch, who currently sit last in the NL Central standings with an 18-28 record.
For the Pirates, their star center fielder Andrew McCutchen would go 3-for-4 and drive in a pair of runs en route to a 4-2 victory over the Cubs.
The Pirates have now won 11 of their last 13 games and sit within striking distance of the NL Central divison lead, 1.5 games back of the division leading St. Louis Cardinals.
