Review of the Ceremony Series; Preview of the Pittsburgh Pirates Series
The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers faced off in an NLCS rematch.
The Chicago Cubs celebrated like it was the night of November 2 all over again. Monday was their home opener season series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This series was important because of two things. One the Cubs are getting their World Series rings. Two, experts picked the Cubs and Dodgers to get back to the National League championship.
Luckily for the Cubs, they didn’t have to face Clayton Kershaw nor Rich Hill, the latter of which is on the disabled list. Luckily for the Dodgers, they didn’t have to face Jake Arrieta or Kyle Hendricks.
Game 1 — Banner Raising Ceremony
Jon Lester v Alex Wood
This game was big for the Cubs because Monday was the home opener. The Cubs was favored to win this game since Wood got the spot start over the injured Hill. However, that wasn’t the case. This matchup turned into a pitching duel.
Lester started things out by getting into a few jams, but he pitched his way out of them. He went six innings, gave up four hits, struck out seven, and only gave up one run. Through two games Lester’s ERA is at 1.64.
After Pedro Strop had given up a run to tie the game in the top of the ninth, new addition Jon Jay singled to start the bottom of the ninth. game. Two batters later, Anthony Rizzo came to the plate.
Before the at-bat, Rizzo did not have a RBI on the year. The Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, arguably the best closer in baseball was on the mound. But despite all odds, Rizzo saved the ceremony and Opening Day by hitting a walk-off single.
Key Note of the Game:
Wade Davis is still perfect in saves situations. His ERA is at 0.00 in three innings pitched.
Player Of The Game: Anthony Rizzo
With two outs Rizzo with a clutch hit against Jansen to win the game.
Game 2: Receiving The World Series Rings
John Lackey v Brandon McCarthy
The Dodgers got tired of watching the Cubs showboating, and did not let the celebration stop them from getting some revenge.
Brandon McCarthy pitched six innings and collected four big double plays to keep the Cubs scoreless. Chicago had a base runner on for six straight innings but couldn’t make anything out of it. Even though the Cubs couldn’t score a run on Wednesday, Lackey kept the Cubs in the ballgame by giving up two runs.
After the game, Andrew Toles spoke with Andrew Seligman of Yahoo Sports about the Cubs celebrations.
“It’s 2017,” Andrew Toles said. “That was last year; it’s over. They can enjoy it, but we’re looking forward to this year.”
Toles was the one to put the first run on the board for Los Angeles. He hit a leadoff home run to start the game.
Key Note of the Game:
Mike Montgomery worked two scoreless innings after getting banged up against the St.Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Player of The Game: Ross Stripling
Ross Stripling is most famous for carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the San Fransisco Giants in 2015, however, was pulled out of the game because he was at 100 pitches.
Stripling retired the side in the seventh inning. In the eighth inning, he got two outs and left the ball game. No damage done after Stripling left.
Game 3: Early Bragging Rights
Brett Anderson v Hyun-Jin Ryu
The Cubs said anything you can do, I can do better. Brett Anderson made his Cubs home debut against his former team Los Angeles Dodgers. Anderson had another solid game. He put zeros across the board for five innings.
Anderson did what he does best; he got seven ground outs in five scoreless innings.
Chicago got off to an early start, Rizzo hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Cubs weren’t done hitting homers, Addison Russell bombed a home run to left field to give the Cubs a two-run lead.
After that, the Cubs completed their first shutout game. Last year, the Cubs were first in shutouts pitched.
Key Notes of the Game:
The Chicago Cubs center fielder Albert Almora Jr. made two outstanding catches robbing Corey Seager of two extra base hits.
Jason Heyward is still hitting the ball consistently. Heyward batting average is at .290.
Player of the Game: Pitching staff
The Cubs pitching staff put up nine scoreless innings. Davis, Koji Uehara, and Carl Edwards Jr. have a combined of 0.00 ERA. Those three pitchers are gaining their trust from Joe Maddon early in the season.
Next Up: Rival Pittsburgh Pirates
Kyle Hendricks (6.00 ERA) v Gerrit Cole (6.65 ERA)
Jake Arrieta (2.08 ERA) v Tyler Glasnow (27.00 ERA)
Jon Lester (1.64 ERA) v Jameson Taillon (1.38 ERA)
The Cubs stampeded on their division rivals last season. Chicago beat the Pirates 14 times out of the 19 games.
