Rewind of the Cubs-Cardinals Series
One of the best rivalries in the MLB kicked things off to start the 2017 season.
The Chicago Cubs won the heated series over the St. Louis Cardinals 10–8 last season. They ended ahead of the Cardinals by 17.5 games for first place in the NL Central. The Cardinals knew the same roster as last year could not beat the Cubs in 2017, so they went out and made moves to improve the team.
One of the biggest moves the Red Birds made was signing former-Cub Dexter Fowler. Fowler was the Cubs go-to man to lead-off, but he is on the opposite side of things now.
Game 1: Carlos Martinez v Jon Lester
Martinez started the rubber match off with 10 strikeouts and walked none in seven-and-one-third innings in his first ever Opening Day start. The Cardinals ace retired 12 in a row and 18 of 19 over one stretch against the Cubs.
The Cardinals went up 3–0 after Javier Báez reportedly was distracted with a white MLB Network sign behind home plate. That sign may have cost the Cubs a run.
Jon Lester did not have his best command on Sunday, but he kept the Cubs in the game. He threw five innings only giving up one run. The Cubs offense did not give Lester any run support.
When Martinez stepped off the mound that’s when Cubs began the rally. Ben Zobrist started it with a HBP, and Jason Heyward singled to center field setting the stage for a Willson Contreras three-run homer to tie the game.
The tie game did not last long. In the ninth inning, Randal Grichuk singled deep to left to take the opening day win.
Player of the game: Randal Grichuk
Grichuk hit a walk-off single to win the first game of the season.
Game 2: Jake Arrieta v Adam Wainwright
We saw a replica of the 2015 Arrieta against St. Louis. He pitched six innings of one-run baseball. Arrieta’s outstanding pitching performance helped the Cubs top the Cardinals 2–1. Wainwright allowed two runs in five innings to take his first loss of the season.
The Cubs new closer Wade Davis sealed Arrieta first win of the season by closing out the Redbirds in the 9th.
Players of the game: Jake Arrieta & Albert Almora Jr.
Almora Jr. saved the day with a beautiful catch to rob a Matt Adams home run which would have tied the game.
Jake Arietta pitched six innings with six strikeouts, while allowing four hits.
Game 3: John Lackey v Lance Lynn
With the series tied 1–1, whomever won this game would kick the season off leading the division. The Cardinals pushed John Lackey around in the first inning, scoring three runs in the first.
Lance Lynn didn’t play in the 2016 season because of Tommy John Surgery. He came out and shut down the Cubs for five innings. When Mike Matheny took Lynn out the game, the Cubs put their rally caps on. Matt Sczur got on base than Jon Jay followed Scuzur. Kyle Schwarber then took Brett Cecil deep to put the Cubs on top 5–4.
Cubs new closer Wade Davis came in again to save the day. Davis is now two-for-two in save situations so far this season.
Player of the game: Kyle Schwarber
Schwarber blasted a three-run home run to put them in the lead in the seventh inning.
What we can learn from this series from the Cubs is that this team still shows the never-quit attitude. Also, the Cubs starting pitching did not lose their touch. Arrieta and Lester only gave up one run in each of their starts. The bullpen is performing admirably.
Carl Edwards Jr. pitched two times in the series, and his ERA is at 0.00. Héctor Rondón made his season debut on Thursday, pitching a 1–2–3 inning. The only pitcher that has a question mark so far is Pedro Strop. He made his season debut on Sunday and gave up two runs. His last appearance was Thursday, and he couldn’t finish his inning. He gave up a walk and a hit.
Other Cubs Notes:
Kris Bryant is 0–13 with a single walk to begin the season with six strikeouts.
We will see Brett Anderson, Kyle Hendricks, and Jake Arrieta pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the upcoming series.
Joe Maddon stretched Lester out to Monday so that he can face the Los Angeles Dodgers.
