NEWSLETTER
That win felt really, really awesome. And not just because it gave the Cubs a series win.
I’m embarrassed to admit how much my heart was POUNDING in that 7th inning. It is a regular season game, it’s still early in the year, and whatever. But there was something about the feeling of seeing Craig Kimbrel get another real save chance and knowing, probably not hyperbolically, that it could make or break the rest of his season. So when he was out there throwing 97/98/99, baffling the Cardinals with his curveball, and ultimately striking out three to close things out … I was freaking losing it. That was so awesome.
And that wasn’t all. The Cubs obviously won the game thanks to David Bote *FINALLY* being the guy to come through with the bases loaded (of course it was Bote), driving in two with a single in the top of the 7th.
Meanwhile, Adbert Alzolay gave the Cubs five excellent innings of work. He was clearly a little amped at first, so he was missing his spots (badly) with his fastball. But the stuff is still excellent, and once he settled, it took over. Good fastball at 94/95, excellent wipeout curveball, and very usable changeup. He’s got the tools, man. More on him later.
For now, I really want to celebrate this …
