All right. Back on the winning path for the Cubs. Sure, they didn’t score a ton – and struck out an ungodly amount – but it was enough to beat a very beatable Royals team. Which, well, is what you’re supposed to do.
Javy Baez. We were already long at the point where he defied appropriate description, and yet he just keeps leaving me wordless. He had two more extra-base hits, drove in two more runs, made another stellar play (at third base, no less), and left the crowd in Kansas City chanting his name. They were also chanting MVP.
Cole Hamels once again allowed very little in his second start as a Cub, though this time didn’t feature quite the same zip on his fastball or nastiness in his changeup. The former, I think, could be explained by extra adrenaline in his Cubs debut, and the latter, perhaps was just something he didn’t quite have tonight.
Still, he stayed around the zone against a crummy Royals lineup, didn’t give up a ton of hard contact, and let the defense do its thing. Lot to be said of a performance like that, especially one that lasts six innings.
The bullpen was smooth from there, including another rock solid job of closing by fill-in closer Pedro Strop.