If you want me to go over-the-top in anger after that one – and a series split with the Reds – you’ve come to the wrong place. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not happy about that game. I’m not happy that Jon Lester couldn’t make it out of the second inning and might be injured, and I’m certainly not happy that the Cubs just split a four-gamer at home against a crappy team.
But when you consider that the bullpen was forced to cover 7.1 innings and the Cubs came back to tie the game at nine after being down 9-0, it was a fairly entertaining experience overall. Even if the conclusion is frustrating.
The part that will get me pretty hot, though, is the fact that the Cubs bullpen walked the leadoff man in three straight innings to finish the game, and all three leadoff walks came around to score – and that was the difference in the game. On a day with the wind blowing out, especially, you cannot put free runners on base. I don’t doubt everyone in the bullpen would say the same: it’s inexcusable.
That said, crummy plate appearances (and outings) will happen. It sucks that it swung the game to the Reds when the Cubs were on the verge of a you-will-remember-that-forever comeback, but hopefully at least some of the Cubs’ bullpen can pull themselves together in the coming weeks.
I’m not hopping mad. I’m bummed. And I’m certainly concerned about the bullpen (and Lester’s health until I hear otherwise). I also feel like this game was vintage 2017 Cubs: coming off the fun of the walk-off wild pitch win last night, they immediately go down huge today. Then they make this amazing comeback! … then they give the game away.
I swear I’m not mad online though.