Every time Chicago Cubs rookie starting pitcher Jordan Wicks goes to the mound, he seems to do something that hasn’t been done in a long time.
In his last start on Monday against Colorado, the former Kansas State star made his fourth start since he was called up last month.
The Cubs ultimately won the game, though Wicks didn’t figure in the decision. But in his six innings of work he gave up just one run and three hits.
Per the Cubs, Wicks started his career by allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his first four starts. He’s the first Cubs pitcher to do that in 22 years.
The last one to do it? Juan Cruz, who also did it in four starts from Aug. 21 to Sept. 5, 2001.
Wicks is now 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA.
Wicks won his first three starts, with his third start marking his first quality start. That was against the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 6. He gave up a season-high nine hits, but only allowed two runs.
He won his second start against Cincinnati on Sept. 1, where he only allowed one earned run in five innings.
In his debut against Pittsburgh on Aug. 26, he set or matched several records.
He became the first Cubs pitcher to strike out at least five straight hitters and retired at least 15 straight hitters in his MLB debut in the expansion era (since 1961). His nine strikeouts made him the fourth Cubs starter since 1901 to strike out at least nine hitters in his MLB debut.
Wicks is in his third season in the Cubs’ organization and split his 2023 between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa. Combined he was 7-0 with a 3.55 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 32 walks. Batters are hitting just .223 against him.
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