The Cubs took last night’s walk-off win and made things a lot less thrilling in tonight’s comfortable second win in a row. If not for a missed call in Game One, they’d already have this four-game series locked up. Not that I’m counting.
I would say that the Cubs powered up to take advantage of the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field tonight, but in reality, the three homers that accounted for their eight runs were all sufficiently crushed that they likely would have gone out on a wind-neutral night. Rizzo boom. Almora boom. Baez boom.
Cole Hamels dealt with some bad BABIP luck and some bad conditions, but the truth is, he just didn’t have his best command. He was unable to put guys away, worked too many deep counts, and gave up too much hard contact. That was a recipe for three runs in just four innings, and nearly 100 pitches in the process.
Thankfully, Tyler Chatwood stood ready to come in and pitch the next four innings, allowing just a solo homer in the process. What a revelation he has been this year, and we’ll have more on him soon.