Now THAT’S what I’m talking about: A good, old-fashioned, score-more-than-the-other-guys win. And not just any win … A series win! Against the Reds! During the 2019 season! It is possible! Rejoice.
In all honesty, that was a much-needed series victory against a team that’s been giving the Cubs (and us fans) headaches all season long. Chicago is now 5-7 against Cincinnati this year, with seven games left to play in the season series. I want them all.
As for the game, there were a lot of stories in this one. And, working backwards, we can start with the Cubs closer, Craig Kimbrel. Thanks to an off-day tomorrow, the Cubs were able to use Kimbrel on back-to-back nights for the first time this season (he threw 25 pitches yesterday), and he came through with a 1-2-3, 12-pitch 9th without any drama. *chefs kiss*
On the offensive side of the ball, Kris Bryant and Addison Russell launched solo shots, Javy Baez notched a much-needed solid line drive the other way, and Jason Heyward came through (again) with a big two-run double late in the ballgame.
Of course, the story of the day was the brilliant outing from Cubs starter Yu Darvish, who went six scoreless innings allowing just two hits and no walks against 7 strikeouts (Hey! He finally got his coveted Wrigley Field win!). Combined with his first start after the break, Darvish has now gone 12 straight scoreless innings with 15Ks, 1BB, and 4 total hits. That is absolutely amazing. Go Darvish. Go Cubs.
And thanks for winning before the off-day.