The Cubs (78-58) played the middle game of the series against the Rockies (38-98) in Denver, after the first game featured a prodigious power display, including Dansby Swanson’s career game.
Javier Assad (1-1, 4.05, 10K) started versus Colorado hurler and Normal, IL native McCade Brown (0-2, 8.22, 5K). Brown’s history is unprepossessing. He throws a four-pitch mix but it’s difficult to know what to expect. Assad just needs to keep the ball out of the middle of the strike zone.
After a 20-minute weather
delay, the game got going. The Cubs staked Assad to a slim lead right off the bat as Nico Hoerner clubbed a sac fly with a bearstack [VIDEO]. The Rockies tied the game on a bad rundown but RISPY business made that possible.
Ian Happ knocked one in in the fifth with a double [VIDEO] and that knocked the kid from the game. He didn’t pitch all that badly, especially given his (lack of) experience. Another run scored on a Carson Kelly sacrifice [VIDEO]. The boys kept swinging and the King drove in another [VIDEO].
A Rockies rally made it a one-run game. Assad turned in a quality start and left with the lead after six innings. Andrew Kittredge took over. Brad Keller followed in the eighth. Daniel Palencia came in for the save (21). They were all successful and the meatloaf was secured, 4-3. Cubs go for the sweep and a 6-3 road trip today.
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.
- Meghan Montemurro {Chicago Tribune* {$}): Javier Assad proving valuable to Chicago Cubs at opportune time — and Michael Busch keeps slugging along. “Assad has been an asset for the Cubs as they have navigated pitching-depth issues…”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Top of Cubs’ order leads way to series victory in Colorado. “Chicago clinched a series victory over Colorado and guaranteed to head back home with a winning showing on this three-city road trip.“
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): What we’re hearing after the Cubs’ trade deadline: Cade Horton, Matt Shaw, Michael Soroka. “… it’s obvious that subtracting Horton or Shaw would not have made sense.”
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Why Dansby Swanson, Cubs believe Friday’s win could be stepping stone. “… they need the offense humming like it was in the first half…”
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): What we learned as bats explode during win in Colorado. “… winning games in the majors isn’t easy…“
- Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): How seven games with Iowa Cubs set the stage for Jake Arrieta’s prolific pitching career. “I needed the month or so here to kind of get things finely tuned and get ready to go compete and help the Cubs win.”
Food for thought:
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series. We will not wittingly publish A. I. – driven articles.