NEWSLETTER
I’m really starting to enjoy having to re-write these things at the last minute …
You can’t call Cubs comeback wins unbelievable anymore. This is just something they do.
As for the game: Travis Wood wasn’t too bad, but, as has been the custom in the early going, he was pulled relatively quickly in the sixth after a leadoff walk. I don’t necessarily disagree with the strategy of pulling the starters early once they show signs wearing down and they’re facing guys for the third or fourth time. It didn’t work this time, though as the bullpen – Brian Schlitter and Jason Motte, in particular – struggled, and gave up the lead late. You will note, by the way, that Edwin Jackson pitched another scoreless frame. I’m not going to dwell on the bullpen stuff right now, though, because that’s going to get a lot more attention tomorrow. Suffice it to say, it was not a good night for Schlitter and Motte.
Thankfully for them, the Cubs’ offense just kept adding, and, despite a three-run deficit in the 8th, the Cubs scored four times in the final two innings to take the lead. Hector Rondon was nasty, and nailed it down.
There’s so much else to comment on here, but I just want to enjoy the win. I do have to mention yet another strange/wrong replay situation: the Cubs looked to take the lead in the top of the 7th when Chris Coghlan singled home Kris Bryant, who was called out at the plate. The replay sure looked like he was safe, but the call stood for reasons that pass understanding.
Just as Kris Bryant did in his debut, Addison Russell was 0-4 with 3 Ks in his first four plate appearances (and then he scorched a liner to short in his final time up, but we’ll ignore that because it ruins the next line). So, like Bryant, I’m assuming Russell’s about to go on an insane hot stretch.
Speaking of Russell …
