In what has become an anthem for the Cubs this year, the offense did a great job of getting runners on base and making the starting pitcher work himself out of the game early. But those runners on base, and that work, didn’t yield many actual runs. Having guys at first and third with nobody out in the first inning and not scoring, in particular, really sticks in your craw.
Of course, that was largely true for the Braves tonight, as well. They had more opportunities than they capitalized on, but they took advantage in the 8th when Pedro Strop loaded the bases (the final piece of which was a really, really questionable walk to Andrelton Simmons) and the Braves broke through. Maddening to see the other team succeed where the Cubs have been so consistently failing of late.
Speaking generally, I also find it really frustrating to see the Cubs once again fail to put up more than a couple measly runs on a night when Kyle Schwarber is now up and has three hits, including a double. He’s not a savior, and he’s not going to unilaterally change anything – especially when he’s only up because the starter is hurt. But on a night when he actually does produce offensively in the two-hole? Score some runs, man. Lots of them. Or, you know, more than two.
Welcome to the second half of the season. Frustrating start.
As for Schwarber’s return, it was very much a microcosm of the “book” on Schwarber …