Hammel (14-8) allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 13 hits, struck out five and walked two over 5.2 innings in a loss to the Brewers on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

This was the third time this season Hammel allowed at least nine runs in an outing, and all three of those starts came on the road. He has been a far more effective pitcher at Wrigley Field this season, posting a 1.77 ERA at home versus a 5.26 ERA on the road. Overall, he is 14-8 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 127 strikeouts in 151.2 innings. Hammel will try to bounce back Monday on the road against St. Louis.

Hammel (14-7) gave up just a single run on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six innings in Wednesday's win against Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel came into this game having been tortured for 13 runs (nine earned) over 5.2 innings spanning his last two starts, but he righted the ship in a big way to help the Cubs continue running away with the NL Central. A cheap add for fantasy owners on draft day (or even the waiver wire), Hammel has returned a massive profit and should continue to do so down the stretch.

Hammel is now slated to start Wednesday against the Pirates, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel will be pitching on four days' rest, but he only threw 39 pitches in Saturday's abbreviated outing so he should fresh and available for a full workload against Ryan Vogelsong and the Pirates. The right-hander has endured some struggled on the road this season, especially lately, but he's posted a minuscule 1.78 ERA in 12 home starts to this point.

Hammel (13-7) gave up three earned runs on five hits over 2.1 innings in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Dodgers. He also recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran righty was pulled after only 39 pitches, a move that was steeped in some controversy. Hammel wasn't necessarily bad during his time on the mound, firing 28 of 39 pitches for strikes and notching first-pitch strikes on 10 of the 12 batters he faced. The appearance was the second consecutive forgettable one for the 33-year-old, who'd given up 10 runs (six earned) on 10 hits over 3.1 innings at Coors Field in his last outing on Aug. 21. Hammel will try to put Saturday's debacle behind him when he takes on the Giants next Thursday.

Hammel was shelled for 10 runs (six earned) on 10 hits and two walks across just 3.1 innings in Sunday's loss to Colorado. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel's 22-inning scoreless streak came to a prompt end Sunday, as he was blitzed for seven runs in the first inning and was finished off later by Nolan Arenado's second three-run homer of the game. Hammel has had a strong season overall, as his ERA still sits at a tidy 3.05 even after Sunday's shellacking, and entered the contest on a six-start win streak. He will have the opportunity to get back on track Saturday versus the Dodgers.

Hammel (13-5) tossed seven shutout innings, allowed just two hits and three walks, and struck out seven to earn the win in game two of Tuesday's doubleheader against Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel dominated a weak Brewers lineup, as he induced 14 swinging strikes in 110 pitches. The only runner who even reached third base did so on a throwing error. Hammel is on a ridiculous hot streak, now with four consecutive quality starts and a 22-inning scoreless streak. His ERA is down to 2.75, making him one of four Cubs starters (Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester) with a sub-3.00 ERA.

Hammel (12-5) shut the Angels out over seven innings Wednesday, allowing just four hits and two walks with six strikeouts in a 3-1 victory.

EDGE Analysis

That's five consecutive wins for Hammel and six straight starts in which he's allowed two or fewer runs. His 10-run disaster to open July spiked the veteran righty's ERA almost a full point (from 2.58 to 3.45), but this run has pushed it back down to a sparkling 2.90 mark. Hammel's certainly in the right place at the right time on a Cubs team that's going places, and he's caught the fever, as he's in the midst of his finest season yet.

Hammel (personal) was activated from the bereavement list Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel was away from the team for nearly a week while attending to a personal matter, but he'll return Tuesday in advance of his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Angels. In his last start, August 2 against the Marlins, Hammel threw 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out three.

Hammel, who is currently on the bereavement list, is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Angels, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel is attending to a personal situation and was originally scheduled to return to the rotation Tuesday, but manager Joe Maddon decided to give him one extra day. John Lackey will now get the start Tuesday instead.

Hammel was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hammel tossed six scoreless innings in a win over the Marlins on Tuesday night, but he'll now head to the bereavement list while dealing with an undisclosed personal issue. He'll be required to miss a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven, but with the Cubs off Thursday, Hammel is unlikely to miss his next start. In a corresponding move, the Cubs recalled Justin Grimm to temporarily fill Hammel's spot on the roster. That leaves the Cubs with a nine-man bullpen for the time being.