Did the Cubs Win?
OSS: Castro makes a bad error in the first, atones throughout the rest of the game.
Three Up
1. Justin Ruggiano set the table pretty perfectly, with a 1-2, 3 BB, 2B, 2 R game. You can’t ask for much more (except maybe not getting caught stealing).
2. Anthony Rizzo had a near-identical line, going 1-2, 2 BB, 2R. No XBH, but Rizzo (a perfect #2 hitter in a saber-offense) got the job done.
3. Starlin Castro had an ugly, ugly error in the first, and it led to 3 runs scoring. Luckily enough for Starlin, he also drove 3 in, so he helped himself out. 3-4 on the day with a double, Starlin had a nice day for himself at the plate.
Three Down
1. Nate Schierholtz, possibly emboldened by his great performance yesterday, went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts.
2. Mike Olt just doesn’t look like a major league baseball player. He’s .158/.243/.383 on the year, with a strikeout rate that would put him at 2nd in the major if only he qualified (1st, you ask? Of course you don’t ask, because you know it’s Junior Lake). It’s been a rough 152 PA.
3. Edwin Jackson didn’t have a terrible game, but he didn’t have a great one. He lasted 5 innings, allowing 4 runs (1 earned), while walking 5 and K’ing 4. It took EJax 110 pitches to get through 5 innings.
Quick Hits
Cubs fall to a game back in the race for #1 (Rays 23-37, Cubs 22-34), but we remain 1 ahead in the win column…Cubs draft tonight (and my final guess for the pick is Michael Conforto)…no NL Central team is worse than 10-10 in their last 20 games, and no team is better than 11-9…Cubs now 12-13 at home, and 10-21 on the road…Cubs 6-5 against LHP…Anthony Rizzo is hitting .333/.435/.579 against lefties this year.
The Grand Battle
Barney’s OPS: .495
Bryant’s wOBA: .509
Bryant takes a decisive 14-point lead.
Next Game
6:05 CT
Jacob de Grom vs. Travis Wood
Upper Deck Reserved: $8
Bleachers: $18
Will The Cubs Win?
