In the immortal words of Frank the Tank, the Cubs are going streaking. The winning streak sits at 4 after yesterday’s walk-off win. It’s a very modest winning streak, but it’s the first one this long for the Cubs since last July, and I’m going to enjoy it. Let’s hope the Cubs keep this streak going for at least a few more games.
In yesterday’s blog, I talked about Anthony Rizzo, and how I’m impressed with his progression. Then in Friday’s game, he promptly hits a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 13th. It’s the first win of this kind for the Cubs this year. Another pat-on-the-back for Rizzo. He stepped up and saved the Cubs in this game; a game that should have never made it to extra innings.
Jason Hammel pitched another gem. It’s the 2nd game in a row he threw 7 shutout innings. After a scoreless top of the 8th, and a couple insurance runs tacked on by the Cubs in the bottom, Hector Rondon came on for the easiest save in baseball: the 3-run lead. Well, nothing is easy for the Cubs…ever. 3 runs later, the game continued to the bottom of the 9th. It was another disastrous collapse at the end of the game. In a game that could have been the Cubs 4th win in a row, a game that could continue the positive momentum in a tough season, the bullpen let us down again. Once the game was tied, there was not a lot of confidence that the Cubs could pull themselves up and find a way to win the game. I’ve seen this way too often, especially lately. There just seems to be nobody there to get the big hits. There seems to be no bounce-back in this team once a lead is given up. A scoreless bottom of the 9th led to extra innings.
The battle of the bullpens ensued, as each team was held scoreless for 3 innings. After the Cubs held the Marlins without a run in the top of the 13th, the Cubs came up in the bottom of the inning. The lucky 13th as it turned out. It didn’t take long. After a Junior Lake single, up stepped Rizzo. He promptly hit a blast down the right field line into the bleachers, and the Cubs hit their first walk off HR of the season, and kept their winning streak alive. It’s only 4 games, and they’re still 10 games under .500, but it feels damn good.
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At the same time, the MLB draft continued. After their first round pick, the Cubs proceeded to pick pitchers in 8 of their next 9 picks. Obviously, there’s a need for some pitching in the offensively stacked Cubs minor leagues, and that was addressed. How soon will we see some of these pitchers? Good question. I think that’s where the Cubs attack in free agency. After missing out on Tanaka, they need to be in the game for another big FA pitcher. Another good thing about having a stacked farm system, is the availability of assets. With some many prospects available, maybe some of them turn into trade pieces, as we go after an established pitcher. It’s fun to play armchair GM, but the plethora of resources gives the Cubs plenty of options.
Switching gears for a second, let’s head to the West Coast and check in on the Sox who played the Angels. On the mound for the Angels was Jered Weaver, another one of my fantasy baseball pitchers. Is it me, or every time one of my pitchers is on the mound against the Sox they win? I got the 6 pts for the win, and the Angels put a stop to the Sox 2 game streak. The Sox are sitting at .500, but have to be pretty excited about their draft as well, especially their number one pick. Carlos Rodon was the TOP pitching prospect, before a “down year” this year. As a big left handed pitcher, with a plus fastball and great slider, I think the Sox made a great pick. If they didn’t take him, I believe the Cubs would have jumped all over him. As it turns out, the Sox added a piece that could contribute soon at the major league level. Congrats on the pick.
So, the baseball season is keeping me interested. I’m going to ride this Cubs streak as long as it lasts. There I go, now they’ll lose today. With Samardzija on the mound on Saturday, the streak may stretch to 5. A five game winning streak? I have to look that up to see when the last time we could say that… if it happens. Either way, it’s fun to be on a good streak, and I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts. Go Cubs Go!
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