The action, as always, is between the lines. So much video!
Minicap and highlights:
By now you know about the roster moves. The Cubs opened their six-game homestand with three against the Atlanta Braves, who sent Spencer Strider to the mound versus Colin Rea for the first game. Strider was once formidable but hasn’t been the same since elbow surgery.
Rea’s command was a little shaky and the Braves put up a three-spot before Ian Happ swatted a solo home run (19) in the bottom of the fourth [VIDEO]. The
questionable baserunning subplot was still running, and Nico was picked off after doubling.
The Braves tacked on afterward as Taylor Rogers was ineffective. Three runs came in with two out on consecutive doubles, and though it was still relatively early, the game started to have ‘that feel’. But Matt Shaw continued to rake [VIDEO} and it was 6-2.
Newcomer Aaron Civale took the ball for the sixth inning and disposed of the three batters he faced. Strider left with a four-run lead. Dansby Swanson cut that in half [VIDEO].
Civale held the line in the seventh and eighth, with a little help from PCA. Carson Kelly said Boom-shaka-laka (14) [VIDEO]!
The game proceeded to extra innings and the parade of relievers continued, until Kelly decided to finish the job [VIDEO].
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- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Whom should the Cubs start in Game 1 of a playoff series? It’s already a discussion. “… the Cubs are very much on track to make it to the wild-card round and compete.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Horton making strong case for Rookie of the Year. “Counsell has described the young righty as a “clear-headed competitor” similar to veteran starter Justin Steele.“
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): How Javier Assad is making case to be Cubs’ x-factor over final month. “Over his last three starts, Assad has posted a 2.81 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 16 innings…”
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): How Carlos Santana fits for Chicago Cubs in September, and beyond. “The fit for the veteran is tricky, but his potential value is considerable.”. More from the Tribune* {$}. The Athletic {$} reports.
- Casey Drottar (MLB.com*): PCA, Kelly provide sparks big and small in Cubs’ walk-off win. “Down 0-2 with two outs and a man at first, Crow-Armstrong laid down a bunt and sprinted safely to first base.”
- Casey Drottar (MLB.com*): Cubs send Caissie back to Triple-A for playing time; Alcántara recalled. “… the Cubs felt getting on the field every day in Iowa would be much more beneficial in the long run.“ Zoe Grossman has more*.
- Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): Chicago Cubs stars talk about how Muscatine boy battling muscular dystrophy inspires them. [VIDEOS]. Cody Scanlan has more* {$}.
Food for thought:
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