May 5, 2017: Not the Slider

Friday afternoon games are great at Wrigley.  They’re even better if you’re not working and watching them.  I’m not that lucky most Fridays.  The Cubs Yankees series opener had to be followed on my phone.

I saw the early 1-0 lead on Kboom’s blast. I saw Hendricks get taken out in the 6th.  I saw Schwarby make it 2-0; then I zoned in for the bottom of the ninth.  I was about to leave work, but figured I’d watch Rondon close it out first.

The problem started with the walk.  With one on and two out, that guy at the plate, which was Ellsbury in this case, could hit it 400 feet and the game would still be tied.  Make him do it.  Don’t give him a free pass and bring the winning run to the plate.  I hate that, especially in the late innings of a game.

That brought up Gardner; he’s not exactly your home run hitter.  It was a good at bat, with Gardner fouling a few fast balls off.  I thought to myself, keep challenging him.  Worst case, I don’t think he can hit Rondon’s fastball out.  Keep with the fastball…not the slider.  That’ll be the one pitch he could pull and hit out.  He threw the slider.  He hit it out.  Dammit.

The start of the weekend was screwed, unless we could get to Chapman.  Normally, I believe the Cubs could come back every time, but we know Chapman.  After Russell got to second, it was lights out.  I would have liked to see Bryant against him, and even Rizzo, but maybe next time.  Maybe next time in a tie game.
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We haven’t really missed Chapman.  After all, this was not our closer out there who blew this game. Wade Davis has been lights out.  He’s perfect in his save opportunities.  He doesn’t throw as fast as Chappy, but he’s mid 90s, and locates well.  He’s been a great acquisition… a much needed acquisition after letting Chappy go.

Usually, I’d be really pissed off after a game like this, but I honestly wasn’t. Cubs are in first place; they still aren’t playing their best ball.  We just gave Aroldis his ring, so I thought about the World Series title again.  And, we did a nice tribute to Starlin.  I don’t miss him, but I do wish him well. His leaving, although at the end of the day, we didn’t get crap for him, opened up room for Zobrist and Baez.  I’m quite happy with the way that turned out.  I hope Starlin does well, just like the prospect we traded the Yanks for Chapman.

Could this be a World Series preview?  We thought maybe the Boston series would; this one could be too.  I wouldn’t mind either. I don’t want to see the Indianas again because we’ve been there done that.  Yeah, that’s right, I’m not worried about us being back.  We will.  I’m excited to face a new AL team.

I guess that’s what it is at the end of the day.  We have our World Series title and we will have a very good chance at more.  Life is good for us Cubs fans.  And all the Yankees did by beating us in this one, is guarantee wins for the Cubs the next two games.  Go Cubs!