OSS: Cubs waste 3 lead-off doubles and lead-off single against Wainwright
Three Up:
1. Phil Coke was clearly the best player on the team yesterday. He came in to a very dicey situation (2nd and 3rd, one out), and stranded them both. The game could have very easily gotten away from the Cubs there, but Coke locked them out. Great first game by Phil.
2. Pedro Strop cleaned up a nice 8th inning with 2 strikeouts and a hit. Didn’t watch the game, but listened, and Pat and Ron said he was nice.
3. Chris Coghlan doubled and only struck out once. That’s what it came down to. He also sold out on a lazy fly that eventually fell. Big fan of the effort.
Three Down:
1. David Ross went 1-2 with a double, but also threw a ball into CF and allowed 3 SB. He nailed Carpenter once, but I’m not a fan of this active play on the bases, which may be a case of…
2. Jon Lester‘s disinterest in holding people closer to first than to second. I’m not sure a single baserunner didn’t reach without Pat Hughes saying “that’s a huge, huge lead from <insert player here>.” For as competitive as Lester is, he allowed a double-steal on indifference in the 4th inning down 3-0. That seems…not good. Not sure if I should blame Ross or Lester, but I’ll give them an equal share.
Lester clearly didn’t have his best stuff, and 4.1 IP/10 baserunners is ugly. I give him partial credit for not letting the game get entirely out of hand (though he owes Phil Coke a steak dinner).
Not 3. Mike Olt went 0-4 with 2 strikeouts, but I don’t care. He had good PA’s, and the process is more important than the outcome.
3. Miguel Montero had 2 PA, struck out once, and threw a ball away. Castillo was a great defensive catcher, framing issues aside. It’s interesting to see both of the other backstops throw one away.
Next Game:
7:05 PM CT, Jake Arrieta vs. Lance Lynn
Will the Cubs Win: Yes