OSS: Ron Santo is smiling
Three up
1. I listened to this game on the radio, so I don’t know if Arrieta literally broke a sweat in this game. Figuratively though, the Mets didn’t do much to worry him in this game aside from a double from the opposing pitcher that came around to score. Three of the Mets last four runs have involved a pitcher at the plate, per Gordo.
Arrieta struck out seven in eight shutout innings, allowing just six baserunners.
2. Buckets had a big game in a rare day off for Kris Bryant, driving in the Cubs first run on a squeeze and later homering, much to the surprise of an incredulous Pat Hughes. It was his first homer in nearly two years. Unlike what seems like 99% of Cubs twitter, I don’t mind having Herrera and Ross on the team. I expect bench players to be replacement level, because that’s what bench players do, and it just makes me think of people bitching that the Cubs bench couldn’t replace Rodrigo’s production when he separated his shoulder in 2009.
3. Miguel Montero poured it on with a homer in the ninth, bringing the boo birds out from the few Mets fans that hadn’t left the game already. How this Mets team is .500, even with its great pitching staff, sure feels like a mystery after this series.
Three Seven down
Next game: Koehler vs Hammel, 1:20 PM CT