April 18, 2016: Turning Tables

The Cubs Cardinals rivalry started its 2016 chapter on Monday night.  I think it’s about time to turn the tables on these birds.

It really hasn’t been a rivalry.  The Cardinals have owned us over the years.  All those titles compared to nothing on this end, makes that “rivalry” very one sided.  I’m sick of it.  So when Monday night came, and our first visit to St. Louis, it was more than just another regular season game.  It was our first opportunity to start making this a rivalry.  I guess that’s the first step.  But more than that, I want to own this match up… I want the Cubs to beat the Cardinals to a pulp.  I want the Cubs to win the division on their way to a World Series title, and send the Cardinals down the drain.

It was none other than the ex-Cardinal (that even makes me cringe, but since he was with the Angels and Red Sox, I don’t think of him as a Cardinal) John Lackey that did them in on this night.  He did a little table turning of his own with his 11 strikeout shutout performance.  His Cubs career hasn’t exactly had the best start, although he has earned the victories.  This one was a pitcher’s duel for a while before the Cubs finally broke through.  Lackey’s performance was right on time.

He’s a big game pitcher… that’s why we got him.  And this WAS more than just your regular season game, especially for Lackey returning to St. Louis.  Will he be able to repeat these performances throughout the year?  Will he be able to hold up for the entire 162?  It will be wise to watch his pitch count, just as Joe did with Jake the other day in Wrigley.  Not bringing him out for the 9th was smart.  It was smart because we had the game in hand.  Save those extra innings & pitches for when we really need it… and no, I’m not just talking playoffs.  Yes, that is the goal, but there will be those regular season 2-1, 1-0 games where we’ll need every ounce of Jake, Lester, and Lackey.  5 run lead or more, pull the trigger… and get that bullpen in.  I’m hoping we don’t blow too many 5 run leads late in the game…
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It was a great 5-0 win.  How good has Fowler been?  He certainly looks like a guy on a mission.  He’s been great on top of that lineup.  He blasted a Mike Leake pitch into the seats to open the scoring.  I’m not buying Mike Leake as a great FA signing either.  I didn’t think Lackey was the best FA signing, but I’d rather have him over Leake 10 out of 10 times.

Speaking about turning tables on a St. Louis team, it’s that time again for the Blackhawks.  They’ve been down before… plenty of times… making for high drama… against this Blues team also.  Game 4 at the UC is huge.  I won’t say MUST WIN because it’s technically not.  But going down 3-1 and heading on the road for 2 of the next 3 needing all 3 of those wins would be difficult.  How about some offense boys?  Crow has been solid, and that makes me feel confident.  But if we can’t get the puck in the net… I’m expecting the big guys to step up… they need to.

So onto Tuesday night and a double dip against St. Louis.  Love the Cubs, but would trade a regular season loss vs the Cardinals for a Blackhawks playoff victory 10 out of 10 times.  Turning tables on that rivalry can wait… the Blackhawks Stanley Cup chances cannot.  Let’s go CHICAGOOOO!