When the Cubs acquired Marcus Stroman, I wasn’t overly excited. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a solid pitcher and all. With the shape of our starting rotation, somebody was definitely needed. After Sunday’s performance against the Sox, I may have changed my mind. Sadly, this Sunday afternoon game against the Sox may be our biggest game of the year. Surprisingly, Stroman pitched his absolute best. When somebody plays their best in an important situation, respect is due; maybe he has IT. That IT that you can’t teach; that IT that comes out in the most important moments, where you play your best when the best is required. Sadly again, how many more games will the Cubs play this year with this type of meaning? After a game like this though, the Cubs brass should be very happy… another trade chip!!! Sure, we get another good player, and we’re going to ship him off… If I was a team headed to the postseason, I’d certainly take note of Stroman’s gem on Sunday.
It wasn’t enough though. The Cubs were so close to taking both games in Comiskey, but… they fell, in what evolved from a pitcher’s duel to a back and forth extra innings thriller. I was watching and listening as much as I could. With our schedule absolutely slammed over the next couple months, it was time to take advantage of our “off day”, and that certainly did not involve sitting in front of the TV all afternoon. I definitely don’t mind listening to the Cubs on the radio as we drove around; that may be my favorite thing about the Cubs at this point. When the Cubs were held scoreless in the top of the 12th, I turned it off; I knew what was coming next. Unfortunately, I was right. Sometimes it sucks to be right…
Yes, just like the last 2 games at Wrigley, the Cubs have provided a potential springboard for their crosstown rivals; God knows they need it. A victory like this could certainly get the mojo headed in the right direction for a talented team that has been scuffling. Only problem is, they lost one of their best players in the process. Tim Anderson went down, and may be out for a while; hopefully for the Sox sake, not too long. Injuries certainly haven’t helped the Sox cause this year, but as they say, it’s part of the game. Who says that by the way… Injuries suck OK, and depending on how many you’re dealing with, and which specific players have gotten hurt, sometimes there’s no way ANY team could recover. Not saying that about the Sox this year, I’m just saying…
With the Cubs playoff games over for the year, we return back to our regularly scheduled programming. Luckily for us, the Cubs play in the most beautiful park in the world, which will ensure many will continue to flock to see this severely under average team… at least through August. I know I’ll be back. Or, maybe I wait until later in the season, when the weather turns for those final few weeks in September; tickets will be dirt cheap again, as the Cubs will be double digit games out of contention, and probably short a couple more good players. But hey, maybe they’ll call up some of their highly vaunted farm system to make their debuts… Round and round we go…
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