Given the way things played out in the 9th inning, with Albert Almora and Addison Russell homering to bring the Cubs to within one, I feel all the more stung by a couple cheap runs Cole Hamels gave up early, and also a diving catch on a Kyle Schwarber rocket in the 7th inning, which would have netted multiple runs. It was a loss I was totally over in the 4th inning, but by the 9th, I was really bummed.
So, I guess, shame on you for coming back, Cubs?
Hamels did not have it today, struggling with his command. Sure, there were some MORE flukey hits – Cubs are leading the league in those the last two weeks – but when you’re walking guys and failing to locate with two strikes, some of it is on you. I still dig Hamels’ arsenal and velocity, but he can get sneaky wild.
It was a tough day for Javy Baez (albeit against high-strikeout pitching), whose fifth strikeout ended the game with the tying run on first base. It’s probably more about the pitching, and I support giving him some rest given the heel injury, but some guys just don’t do as well when they’re DH’ing. You never know. I just hope he’s not being negatively affected at the plate by that injury.
Anthony Rizzo remains on fire, as well as Albert Almora, so that’s good. And there was this …