Hey, it’s only two games, but that’s a sweep! The Cubs sure do enjoy playing in Cleveland.
The Cubs are now 12-3. I know this year is weird and whatever … but good Lord. That is so freaking awesome.
Kyle Hendricks is pretty much always good at managing contact, but he was PARTICULARLY good tonight, with an average exit velocity of just 81.9 mph. Suffice to say, your eyes weren’t fooling you: Hendricks really was getting all kinds of crummy contact. Also 13 whiffs out of 90 pitches and no walks on the night.
It feels like it’s been a real minute since we’ve seen Rowan Wick and Jeremy Jeffress, each of whom were quite impressive. Wick went 1.1 innings, striking out three. And Jeffress closed the game out, even when the lead grew to five runs (Craig Kimbrel was also warming).
Offensively, the night actually looked like last night in a lot of ways: a whole lot of grinding, great at bats early, but not a lot to show for it. A lot of runners left on base in big spots. But runs here and there, and before you know it, the run total by the end of the game is quite strong. Again a reminder that the Indians pitching staff hadn’t given up more than four in a game ALL YEAR until this series with the Cubs, who scored seven each night.
The Cubs scored off of every single pitcher the Indians brought out tonight. That’s fun.