Hi there!
As you know, Thomas Smith is away on vacation.
To keep this feature going, I’m going to post simply the WPA numbers and plays of the game, and a poll so you can vote on your choice for Player of the Game. Thomas will update the Rizzo Award standings when he returns.
Game 111, July 31: Cubs 5, Yankees 2 (63-48)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
- Superhero: Pete Crow-Armstrong (.290). 2-4, 3B, 2 R
- Hero: Nico Hoerner (.247). 2-4, HR
- Sidekick: Alex Bregman (.068) 1-2, 2 BB, R
THREE GOATS:
- Billy Goat: Michael Busch (-.096). 1-4, RBI
- Goat: Dansby Swanson (-.096). 0-3
- Kid: Carson Kelly (-.075). 1-4
It’s unusual to have a tie like that with a number like -.096. I broke the
tie and selected Busch as the Billy Goat because of his error that led to a Yankees run.
WPA Play of the Game: Pete Crow-Armstrong’s triple in the seventh (.246).
Cubs Play of the Game: Spencer Jones’ homer in the top of the seventh that gave the Yankees a temporary lead (.214).
Nico Hoerner’s game-tying homer produced just a bit less WPA than PCA’s triple at .232.
Up next: The Yankees will send right-hander Gerrit Cole against Cubs right-hander Colin Rea.
As Thomas would say: Keep stacking wins.
