PITCHER MATCHUP

Framber Valdez vs Chicago Cubs

How the Chicago Cubs's current regulars (top 9 by at-bats) project against Framber Valdez's season-to-date arsenal — not the posted lineup for any single game.

Framber Valdez's arsenal

Throws LHPvs LHH xwOBA .272vs RHH xwOBA .320Seasons 2026–2025–2024
Sinker 45%Curveball 31%Changeup 19%Slider 4%Four-Seam Fastball 1%

How the Chicago Cubs's regulars project

Projected expected wOBA for each of the Chicago Cubs's top-9-by-AB hitters against Framber Valdez, by batting order. A season-to-date read — lower favors the pitcher.

Lineup avg xwOBA .323
  1. 1 AB Alex Bregman RHB .313
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Alex Bregman
    • Sinker (45% usage) projects to .331 xwOBA over 411 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (31% usage) projects to .281 xwOBA over 71 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (19% usage) projects to .329 xwOBA over 138 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (4% usage) projects to .291 xwOBA over 256 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  2. 2 NH Nico Hoerner RHB .306
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Nico Hoerner
    • Sinker (45% usage) projects to .317 xwOBA over 427 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (31% usage) projects to .292 xwOBA over 89 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (19% usage) projects to .295 xwOBA over 159 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (4% usage) projects to .329 xwOBA over 257 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  3. 3 PC Pete Crow-Armstrong LHB .338
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Pete Crow-Armstrong
    • Sinker (45% usage) projects to .345 xwOBA over 200 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Curveball (31% usage) projects to .338 xwOBA over 120 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (19% usage) projects to .325 xwOBA over 208 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (4% usage) projects to .328 xwOBA over 209 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  4. 4 MB Michael Busch LHB .320
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Michael Busch
    • Sinker (45% usage) projects to .360 xwOBA over 225 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Curveball (31% usage) projects to .282 xwOBA over 117 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (19% usage) projects to .290 xwOBA over 201 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (4% usage) projects to .291 xwOBA over 231 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  5. 5 IH Ian Happ SH .331
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Ian Happ
    • Sinker (45% usage) projects to .370 xwOBA over 219 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Curveball (31% usage) projects to .328 xwOBA over 126 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (19% usage) projects to .249 xwOBA over 314 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
    • Slider (4% usage) projects to .301 xwOBA over 195 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  6. 6 SS Seiya Suzuki RHB .355
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Seiya Suzuki
    • Sinker (45% usage) projects to .394 xwOBA over 345 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Curveball (31% usage) projects to .311 xwOBA over 102 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (19% usage) projects to .346 xwOBA over 144 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Slider (4% usage) projects to .289 xwOBA over 291 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  7. 7 CK Carson Kelly RHB .316
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Carson Kelly
    • Sinker (45% usage) projects to .334 xwOBA over 227 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (31% usage) projects to .300 xwOBA over 49 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (19% usage) projects to .297 xwOBA over 91 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (4% usage) projects to .315 xwOBA over 174 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  8. 8 MC Michael Conforto LHB .317
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Michael Conforto
    • Sinker (45% usage) projects to .364 xwOBA over 167 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Curveball (31% usage) projects to .271 xwOBA over 70 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
    • Changeup (19% usage) projects to .280 xwOBA over 172 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (4% usage) projects to .305 xwOBA over 132 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  9. 9 TT Tyrone Taylor RHB .309
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Tyrone Taylor
    • Sinker (45% usage) projects to .315 xwOBA over 159 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (31% usage) projects to .304 xwOBA over 52 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (19% usage) projects to .303 xwOBA over 82 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (4% usage) projects to .311 xwOBA over 145 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
Full pitch-by-pitch breakdown, with pitch-zone heatmaps →

No meeting currently scheduled — this is a durable season matchup read.