Obviously the main story for this game is a familiar one: so many opportunities, so few runs. It’s been the story through three games for the Cubs in something of a repeat from the first couple months of last season. As we saw then, the hits with runners in scoring position tend to even out over the course of a season, and you just hope you don’t lose too many games while things are evening out. Since it’s been just three games thus far – two of them against Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn at cold, wind-blowing-in Wrigley, I’m not terribly worried about the offense just yet (at least no more than I would have been coming into the season). Today’s was the first game where the lack of production was really frustrating.
At least Anthony Rizzo had a couple hits – including a bunt against the shift WOOT WOOT – and was hit by two pitches, neither of which he swung at.
On the pitching side, I didn’t think Travis Wood was terrible. The two-run double by Tulowitzki was the really painful blow, and it wasn’t an utterly terrible pitch – up, but not quite in enough. And Tulo is good.
Brian Schlitter, appearing after being called up from AAA Iowa to replace Justin Grimm, came into the game and immediately gave up a bomb to Justin Morneau, and then a walk and two other hits for a total of two earned runs. The sinker wasn’t doing its thing, which is a problem for many in the altitude.
The Cubs couldn’t come back.