Can the Cubs Hit Rodrigo Lopez?

Last time Rodrigo Lopez pitched in Wrigley, he was a member of the Phillies. He's now with the Diamondbacks. The link takes you to a preview that includes some pie charts and flight paths. Well, it's time to update.

Why the update? It's not the new uniform, it's the "new" pitch. Lopez's already slurvey slider has been joined by a slower, loopier version that's more clearly a curveball.

Take a look:



And his usage of the new pitch, by game and by year (skipping the one 2007 start in the latter):








Lopez has mainly used the curveball as an alternate out pitch against lefties, along with the slider. We'll see if the Cubs can wake up against him.