OSS: Cubs complete the sweep of the Cardinals behind a big day from Ian Happ.
Three up:
- Ian Happ launched two homers off of Michael Wacha, driving in more than half the the Cubs runs. One of them even had runners on base. The novelty! Based on what few innings I've seen he looks credible in CF too.
- Albert Almora and Stephen Piscotty combined for the other big play of the day for the Cubs, with Almora hitting a two run single that was turned into a two-run triple by Piscotty's misplay.
- After a shaky outing by Hector Rondon, Joe went to Pedro Strop for multiple innings and was rewarded for it. Yay, multi-inning relief appearances. If only they translated to a larger bench.
Three down:
- Rondon didn't have his best stuff today. He allowed two Cardinals runs in the sixth that tied the game in an inning that included a walk, a wild pitch, and a stolen base by none other than Yadier Molina.
- Kyle Hendricks cruised through the first three innings, not allowing a hit and looking like the efficient Cyle of old. He then through approximately 75 pitches in the fourth inning, including back-to-back walks followed by a three run bomb, and was out of the game for a well-timed pinch hitter in the bottom of the inning. Blargh. But good PH decision from Joe for once.
- Ben Zobrist just edged out Kris Bryant as the WPA trailer among position players today. Between them they went 0-7 with a walk and two strikeouts.
Next up: Giancarlo Stanton and the Marlins visit Wrigley for a three game series. Since it's much more fun to gloat about sweeping the Cardinals, I didn't write a regular preview. Here are the matchups though:
Monday: Dan Straily, RHP v Eddie Butler, RHP, 7:05 PM CT. A matchup of current and former Cubs AAAA guys.
Tuesday: Jeff Locke, LHP vs Jay Carrieta, RHP, 7:05 PM CT. We've seen plenty of Locke over the years. This is his second start in a Marlins uniform, as he missed the first two months or so of the season with biceps tendonitis.
Wednesday: Jose Urena, RHP vs John Lackey, RHP, 7:05 PM CT. It looks like Urena has been the Marlins swing man for the past two seasons and change. He has a 5.28 ERA over that span and somehow still has the job.
Comments
That was a relatively easy come-from-behind win I recently enjoyed.
Rice in limboQuote Reply
I look at the cards and I see they need sweeping
While my guitar gently weeps
ceruleanQuote Reply
More like Stephen Pisspotty, amirite?
uncle daveQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
Zobrist
Bryant
Rizzo
Contreras
Heyward
Almora
Baez
Butler
War Bear
berseliusQuote Reply
Wade Davis ——> paternity leave
Dylan Floro ——–> Cubs
and I’m guessing
Koji Uehara ——> closer
berseliusQuote Reply
Ruh roh. I don’t think Uehara has generally been great on consecutive days. Then again, the Cubs may not provide him with any save opportunities until Davis gets back anyway.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Zobrist! Bryant!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
KB!!!!!
PerkinsQuote Reply
Cubs are going to need some more HRs.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Almora!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Al-Al!
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Super glad the Cubs got the World Series last year, because the Astros look unstoppable this year.
PerkinsQuote Reply
AL!
Straily doesn’t seem to be fooling anyone at the moment.
uncle daveQuote Reply
—Almora Jr
ceruleanQuote Reply
But for the wind, Straily would have given up 5-6 runs by now.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Nice outing for Butler, by the stat line at least.
/dooms him to give up 2 hr next inning.
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Berselius is too lazy to login,
He”s been pretty efficient to this point. I’m sure the wind’s howling in is helping him.
PerkinsQuote Reply
They look like they’re going to win all the games.
dmick89Quote Reply
Cubs pitchers have pulled a couple of Houdini acts today.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Screw whoever the closer is, please.
dmick89Quote Reply
Reliever hitting alert.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
If it’s Monty going for the long save, he’s unscrewable.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Except for Schwarber, of course.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Ugh, not a good day for the Cubs defense.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Willson redeems himself!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I don’t love leaving in the lefty to face Stanton.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Shut me right up.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Wow, Monty gets Stanton.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Montgomery does not have pronounced splits, which makes him a good candidate for the long closer role.
ceruleanQuote Reply
W
No inversion necessary.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Inverted M
berseliusQuote Reply
Cardinals lose.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The 2016 Cubs were better.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
But I suppose I should also mention that Houston has no other good team in their division, which is why their playoff/division odds are twice as certain.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Brewers lose.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
First place once again.
PerkinsQuote Reply
http://obstructedview.net/cubs-3-marlins-1-6-5-17/
berseliusQuote Reply
Even with the head-to-head lead, it’s not good enough.
ceruleanQuote Reply