The kind of game that gets better labeled “ridiculous” when the Cubs win, than labeled “embarrassing” if things had gone another way. I am unquestionably happy the Cubs won. I am also unquestionably more concerned about the long-term than I was before this day began.
Also: the Cubs have to play another game in another city in 12 hours. Neat!
The Cubs came out of the gate flashing oopsies aplenty behind a starting pitcher in Tyler Chatwood who has completely lost the ability to throw the ball over the plate (even when it appears that’s the only thing he’s trying to do). More on Chatwood later.
Fortunately, many other Cubs turned things around after the first inning, including the pitching. Call-up Randy Rosario gave the Cubs 2.1 critical scoreless innings, and some of the regulars held down the fort from there.
Offensively, the Cubs got hits from all nine original starters, and Javy Baez oppo’d a three-run shot. They were helped a bit by the Giants themselves, but the Cubs do deserve credit for immediately responding after going down 3-0 in the first. They may have looked ugly in the top of the frame, but they didn’t pack it in (even after later loading the bases and failing to score with nobody out). Albert Almora, in particular, had a great night overall.
It was a good night for pitchers taking walks, and also, well, you know …