When a Series Split Feels Like a Win and Other Bullets

Jul 23, 2015

Whew. It’s going to be a busy rumor day, isn’t it? David Price stuff already this morning, then the Mat Latos thing, and then a stockpile of Lukewarm Stove items. Stay tuned …

It’s pretty amazing that a split series against the Reds could feel that good. But, for me, at least, it totally did. First of all, a road four-game series that includes a doubleheader is going to be a very tough series to win, no matter the opponent. Second of all, among the “bad” teams the Cubs will play in the coming weeks, the Reds really aren’t all that bad (until they sell off, that is). Third of all, neither of Jake Arrieta nor Jon Lester pitched in the four games. Fourth of all, that could have so easily been a series loss. The Cubs lost a lead late in the first game, got blown out in the first game of the doubleheader, and required two crazy late wins just to split the series. The end of that series was a Relief with a capital R (which is why I capitalized it).

I also think I feel good about the series because, let’s be honest, the two wins were among the most exciting, improbable wins in recent memory – and the Cubs have had a bunch of those this year. Those two, though … they were pretty special. Seems like we’ll be remembering that series for a long time. The Schwarber Game and The Teagarden Game.

Speaking of which, here’s how unlikely those wins were (and coming on consecutive days, no less):

For the record: the Cubs' low point in Win Expectancy tonight was 5.0%. Last night, the low was 4.9%. Remarkable.

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) July 23, 2015

The intentional walk that Aroldis Chapman was instructed to issue to Jorge Soler – about which Chapman seemed unhappy – was the first of his career. Here’s betting he really wanted a chance to come right after Soler. Wonder what was going through his mind as Taylor Teagarden stroked a single to center?

Lots of praise for Kyle Schwarber (Tribune), whose bat may force its way into the lineup (i.e., in the outfield in addition to catching) before the season is through.

Remember Zack Godley? You might not, because he was the then-24-year-old low-level relief prospect (former senior sign) the Cubs included in the offseason trade for Miguel Montero (former IFA bonus baby Jeferson Mejia was the big prospect in the deal). Well, now he’s going to start a game for the big league Diamondbacks. His ascension up the Diamondbacks system was like a rocket this year once they moved him back into the rotation, however … he hasn’t pitched above AA, has made only three starts at that level, and the results haven’t really been that great. That he’s starting for the D-Backs probably says more about them than it does about Godley’s readiness, but still, great for him.

Don’t miss the latest Limited Range episode with me and Sahadev. Just subscribe or plug it into your podcatcher, and then you’ll never miss it! And you could totally ignore bullets like this one!

Yesterday’s field jumper:

Not worth it, man. They will find you eventually, and the charges are steep.

Plus, you were wearing clothes. https://t.co/lsSKGC5ke0

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) July 23, 2015

Just because:

Rizzo tried to eat Eric Hinske! RUN ERIC RUN pic.twitter.com/Ms5qJeKixg

— Randall J. Sanders (@RandallJSanders) July 23, 2015

Please go do this! You get questions answered at BP, and you essentially donate $2 to the Make-A-Wish #BNBlogathon just be asking a question. It’ll take only a few seconds, and you can ask some really thoughtful stuff:

I'm taking advantage of a corporate match, so if I get 250 questions, it's $500 to @BleacherNation's charity. DO IT! http://t.co/3B0Bw9yQs6
— Mike Gianella (@MikeGianella) July 23, 2015

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

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