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Saturday, October 10, 2015

Cubs Win Puts Cubs in Great Position

The Cubs won their first NLDS game since  2003, which included a seven game losing streak. 
The scoring started off in the bottom of the first when Cardinals leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter hit a rocket out to straight away center to lead off aganist Kyle Hendricks to make it 1-0.  But after that, it was seemingly all Cubs.
They got runners on the corners with one out, and Hendricks laid down, a sacrifice, but Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia fielded it and threw it pass first base, and there were runners on second and third.  Then, Young shortstop Addison Russell also bunted, and he got the run home.  Then center fielder Dexter Fowler had an RBI infield single. Right fielder Jorge Soler capped in all off with a 413 foot two out, two run home run.  The inning was also aided by second baseman Kolten Wong's throwing error into the dugout.
Cubs catcher Miguel Montero had an RBI groundout in the top of the third to round out the scoring for the Cubs.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Wong and Randal Grichuk hit back to back homers off of Hendricks, who's day ended one out away from being eligible to receive the win.
The Cubs bullpen came in big, with Trevor Cahill, Travis Wood, and Hector Rondon shutting the Cardinals down, as Rondon finished by getting the save.
So, the series is tied 1-1, and is coming back to Wrigley Field for game three.  Not only will Wrigley be lit, Jake Arrieta will get the ball for the Cubs.  Since it feels like Arrieta hasn't given up a run in forever and is currently the best pitcher in baseball, it feels like the Cubs are destined to win Game 3, and go up 2-1.
I agree, and I do think the Cubs will go up in the series.  The Cardinals are sending out Michael Wacha, who has struggled lately but has been good in the Playoffs.
Now, if the Cubs win Game three, they will want to seal the deal at Wrigley.  The question is, who do you start?  Jason Hammel was not good in the second half of the season.  You could bring Jon Lester back on short rest, which may not be likely, even more so if you have a lead.  You could also bring in a Clayton Richard or Travis Wood and have a bullpen day.
No matter how it works out, the Cubs are in the driver's seat.  They have flipped home field, and their stud ace is coming up.  I feel really good about their chances.  I'm sure that manager Joe Maddon and the Cubs feel the same way.

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