OSS: Bullpen bends but doesn’t break, bats wake up in the 11th
Three Up
1. Mike Leake had the Cubs number for all seven innings he was in the game, save for two pitches that Anthony Rizzo and Chris Coghlan deposited in the seats. Batter-vs-pitcher matchup stats are dumb as predictive stats, but can be pretty entertaining. Coghlan is 9 for 11 with two homers and four doubles against Leake in his career.
2. The key play of the game defensively was the Cubs turning a double play on a two-on, no out situation in the eighth. With Aroldis Chapman looming, keeping the game tied was paramount. The bullpen was a little wobbly but things felt less harrowing than they did earlier this week, for no apparent reason.
3. Herrera got the go-ahead RBI in the 11th, though sadly it wasn’t off of Kevin Gregg.
Three Down
1. Rough day at the plate for Addison Russell, who went 0-5 with four strikeouts.
2. Soler wasn’t much better, though he only had three strikeouts.
3. I like that Maddon is more aggressive with his roster in-game than most managers, but leaving Lester in to bat in the 6th then pulling him the next inning was pretty puzzling.
Next game: Arrieta vs DeSclafani, 12:20 PM CT.
#wearegood