August 18, 2018: Twice the Fun

I was lucky enough to watch a lot of the Cubs games on Thursday and Friday in Pittsburgh.  Wasn’t a whole lot of run scoring going on, but that doesn’t matter.  I love an old fashioned pitcher’s duel; I love when the Cubs win more.

First it was Lester.  It was really good to see him come out and throw a good game… a dominant game.  He had been getting touched up lately.  With a lot of concern over our starting pitching, the one guy who has been great all year was Lester… until recently.  He was back to form during the 1-0 victory over the Pirates.  Ian Happ was responsible for the only run, a solo, no-doubt, blast into right center field.  Then the bullpen… the circle of trust guys, slammed the door in the 7th, 8th, and 9th:  Cishek, Edwards, and Strop… yes, Strop!!!   Yes, I think I can safely say Pedro is in the circle of trust.  He wasn’t back in the 2016 playoff run, but he’ll have to be this time around.  When Morrow comes back, that just stretches out our bullpen even further; he’ll be in the circle of trust when he returns right?

Since that 1-0 was so fun, why not twice the fun on Friday night?  Another 1-0 victory behind Cole Hamels and the Cubs record setting string of 7 double plays.  That was really fun to watch, especially the one to end it.  The one from Baez to Rizzo was good too, although he did look safe.  I guess because it was inconclusive the play stood; no complaints here.  This time it was Schwarby hitting a solo blast that gave the Cubs all the runs they would need on this night.  It was the first time the Cubs had ever won back to back 1-0 games with the only scoring coming on solo home runs…. first time ever!

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He looks great out there… He looks focused.  He can really zone in.  He’s been there too… just like Lester.  Both of them have come up big in the postseason also; they have the pedigree.  For all the Cubs starting pitching woes, going into a series with Lester and Hamels in Games 1 and 2 feels pretty good.  And I’m not even talking about the improvement we’re seeing from Hendricks.  Also, Q pitched a hell of a game last year in his first postseason game ever.  I know he’s been struggling, but still…

So, conclusion is that I’m feeling good about our starters.  Now what about our offense?  1 run in the past 2 games… we got lucky to win those two.  How did the rest of the series go?