OSS: Scherzer outduels Lester.
Three up
1. It was a fantastic pitching matchup today, and both pitchers failed to disappoint. Jon Lester went seven innings, striking out ten Nats. He gave up a solo HR to Bryce Harper, along with an unearned run in the fourth. He was dealing early, but got a little frustrated with the home plate ump’s zone in the fourth.
2. Rizzo and Soler were the only Cubs batters with any significant positive WPA in this game, mostly due to a leadoff double and HBP to start the eighth inning which led to no runs.
3. Not much else good to say about the Cubs today, so congrats to the Blackhawks for forcing a game seven.
Three down
1. Russell got a E5 on the Nats first run, but I think it probably should have been on Rizzo, who completely whiffed on the throw.
2. Starlin Castro was the only Cubs batter who seemed to have a good look at Scherzer, getting two hits, but his groundout to end the eighth with runners on second and third was the biggest play of the game by WPA.
3. Travis Wood looked good against his first batter, then promptly gave up a homer. It’s been his big problem this year – the rest of his numbers look pretty okay.
Next game: Volquez vs Arrieta, 3:05 PM CT