Postgame Report: Cubs (-185) Winner
Chicago got out to an early lead in the bottom of the first. Michael Busch reached on an error and advanced to second base with no outs. All-star Kyle Tucker laid down a bunt advancing Busch to third. It's an odd call these days to see a slugger like Tucker bunting, especially against a RHP who gets torched by lefties.
I think the Brewers are getting in their heads.
It worked out in a way, Seiya Suzuki collected a base hit and scored the runner from third. The Cubs would add a run on a double from Ian Happ. 2-0 Cubs.
Orioles starter Brandon Young settled in and pitched a good game: 4.2IP 5H 0ER 4K 2BB -- He exited in the fifth after eighty pitches. With runners on first and third and two outs, Orioles interim manager, Tony Mansolino, went lefty lefty on Pete Crow Armstrong. Deitrich Enns got the call. The career minor leaguer is from the south suburbs of Chicago. He nailed PCA to end the inning. A big strike out for Enns.
It was a 3-2 game into the ninth inning, the Cubs' bullpen pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Rea who also exited in the fifth inning.
Daniel Palencia, the Cubs' closer, gave up a leadoff double to Orioles' centerfielder Colton Cowser to start the ninth. With the tying run in scoring position and no outs, Dylan Carlson lined out to Ian Happ. Coby Mayo struck out looking. Two down. Pinch hitter Ryan Noda stepped to the plate. Noda was recently claimed off waivers. He delivered an RBI base hit and tied the game at three apiece.
An error in the bottom of the ninth led to a walk-off homerun from veteran Justin Turner. Orioles interim closer Keegan Akin takes the loss.
Cubs get the victory 5-3 in what I would call an ugly win. It was a bad game for both teams. Cubs scored five runs but didn't hit all that well. Rea had a decent start but only managed 4.2 innings. Cubs' bullpen looked good until the ninth. Palencia blew the save. Having Tucker bunt with no outs and a runner on second against a righty starter that has been thrashed by lefties all season was brainless. That call made Cubs' manager Craig Council look like an idiot.
The Orioles made a pair of errors, both led to big innings. Their defense is terrible, their offense isn't that good either. Their starting pitching is as bad as any team in the league. Bullpen is worse. They aren't much better than the Rockies, White Sox or the Nationals. They might be the worst team in the league right now and they played the Cubs close all three games.
A win is a win and that's how the standings will tell it. Chicago hosts Cincinnati, a three game series that begins this evening at Wrigley Field. Baltimore travels to play three in Philadelphia.
That's two in a row, 2.6 units in play for the Pickstreak blog. Stay tuned for our next pick. We'll look to make it three in a row.