Chicago Cubs, Game 33: Bryant warms the hearts of chilly Cubs fans
KBOOM!
After suffering a tough loss last night that snapped a seven game winning streak, the Cubs were looking to right the ship tonight against the worst team in baseball. Things were a bit ugly and weird through the first eight innings, plus the 35 degree wind chill and wind howling in from center weren’t helping. Somehow Bryant was able to do something he hasn’t done since 2015, and his walk-off bomb catapulted the Cubs back into first place.
The Offense
The Cubs offense got going right away on an sac fly by Javier Baez in the first. However, a couple of defensive miscues in the third lead to two unearned runs and the Cubs were suddenly trailing 2–1. Almora changed that in the bottom of the third with a solo shot to tie the game at two and that’s where it stayed til the ninth. The Cubs offense wasn’t able to muster much against Caleb Smith, who struck out 11 on a chilly night at Wrigley. You knew that just one more run might win the game…and that was the case.
The Cubs got two on with no one out in the ninth inning. After it looked like they might squander a golden opportunity, Kris Byrant sent a two out, 1–2, 99mph fastball into the teeth of the wind of Andrew Conley and the Wrigley faithful of 35,274 was able to go home happy. Bryant hit his first walk off home run since 2015 as the Cubs regained solo possession of first place.
The Pitching
Jon Lester was on his game again despite not being helped by his defense. Lester went six innings and allowed no earned runs. He lowered his ERA to 1.41 and has not allowed more than two runs in any start this year. He walked none and struck out six. The Cubs bullpen went three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six. The biggest takeaway from today is that the Cubs did not walk a single batter. Cishek picks up his first win of the year as the bullpen continues to be a strength.
Coming Up
Weather permitting, the Cubs will face RHP Jose Urena (1–5, 5.45 ERA) tomorrow night. Kyle Hendricks, coming off his best outing of the year, (2–4, 3.93 ERA) will take the mound. First pitch is set for 7:05pm on WGN.
