OSS: Time to redefine what makes a good Yu Darvish start, I guess. Three up: Addison Russell had a three-hit day, including a two run homer in the fourth inning that gave the Cubs their first lead of the day. He also legged out a bunt single in the eighth on what was probably a sac bunt and came around …
Cubs 3, Phillies 2
OSS: Return of the Mago Three up: On a day when no one on the Cubs offense could get a hit with RISP, Javy delivered a pinch hit single to walk it off. Baez wasn’t even supposed to be here today. He’s only been out two days but you can already feel the Cubs missing him in the lineup The …
Series Preview: Philadelphia Phillies (27-19) at Chicago Cubs (27-17)
Two first place teams match up for a big series at Wrigley Field. All the story lines will be focused on the return of Jay Carrieta, whose rotation spot didn’t come up against the Cubs in his first year in Philadelphia. Team Leaders Phils OBP: Rhys Hoskins (.390) ISO: Hoskins (.273) HR: Hoskins (11) R+RBI: Hoskins (62) wRC+: Hoskins (148) …
Cubs 6, Nats 5
OSS: Cubs squander some early chances, hang on to win. Three up: The Kyle Schwarber Leadoff Experiment worked out well this series. Schwarber had three hits and four walks (and one HBP) in 15 PAs. He had RBI on two sac flies in this game, which is not really what you expect to see from a leadoff hitter but the …
Cubs 14, Nats 6
OSS: Kris Bryant bags a hat trick. Three up The Cubs offense exploded for six home runs, with Bryant providing half that total. All three of Bryant’s home runs landed in the Cubs bullpen – maybe he was dive bombing them in revenge for trying to blow the game? I’m not sure what is more impressive – Bryant homering three …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (25-16) at Washington Nationals (18-25)
It’s been a rough go of it for the Nats this year, just won their first series in over a month. Former Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez doesn’t seem to have brought that Joe Maddon magic along with him, and every new team that comes into DC has to be double checking wikipedia before the series to see if he’s …
Cubs 3, Reds 1
OSS: Cy(le) Cobb makes an appearance Three up: Kyle Hendricks extended his streak of excellent pitching, allowing just one run in eight innings, striking out seven. Hendricks led off the top of the ninth with his first walk of the game, which led to the pen finishing the game off. Even more impressively, Hendricks went 3-4 including a two-run double …
Cubs 4, Brewers 1
OSS: KB stays hot, Cubs win another close one against the Beers. Three up: Kris Bryant hit yet another home run, his fifth in the last eight games. His wRC+ is all the way up to 149. The heart of the Cubs lineup now has wRC+ of 149, 142, 157, and 171. That’ll do, pig. Jon Lester had another great …
Cubs 2, Brewers 1
OSS: Chatwood guts it out, Willson walks it off. Three up: Tyler Chatwood was the Cubs WPA leader by far, posting a .615 WPA for pitching four scoreless innings in extras. Chatwood struck out seven and allowed no hits, though he did walk three. It was especially gutsy considering he had pitched just two games ago, though just one inning …
Cubs 4, Marlins 1
OSS: Bryzzo each homer, Cubs cruise to a series win. Three up: Kris Bryant’s hot hitting streak continues, homering yet again in this one. KB also drew two walks, coming around to score on… Another home run from Anthony Rizzo. It’s nice to see both guys hitting at the same time. Bryant improved his wRC+ to 145, and Rizzo’s is …