Cubs Wrap Up: 2020 Presented by Jay
4/26/21 - Cubs Take on Braves
The Cubs traveled to Atlanta to take on the Braves, the Cubs are in the midst of their longest consecutive game stretch of the young season. The Cubs have been able to play their starters due to frequent rest days but are 6 games into a stretch that will see them play 16 total before having another day off. The Cubs looked to rebound in the 1st game of the 4 game slate with the Braves; the immortal Charlie Morton was on the mound against Zach Davies. The Cubs got things going in the 2nd when Baez took Morton deep for a solo home run; the Cubs were able to expand on the lead in the 4th Duffy singled and Pederson drove him in on a double. The Braves would answer in the 5th when Freeman would drive in 1 run. The Cubs ultimately would pull away to earn the 5-1 victory. Davies was able to go 5 innings giving up 5 hits, a walk and 1 run with 2 K’s.
In Game 2 Trevor Williams started against Max Fried. The Cub were able to get 1 in the first on a Kris Bryant double that plated Happ. The Braves were able to chip away as Freeman homered in the 4th and Acuna doubled to drive in 2. The Cubs offense would falter as they would go on to lose 1-4.
Adbert Alzolay started to start and had a strong performance in a short stint. He would only go 4.1 as he found himself in trouble often but was able to spread out 6 hits and a walk and got timely outs including 6 K’s. Chafin was able to get out of Alzolay’s final jam when he came into the 5th inning with 2 on and 1 out. After getting Ozuna to swing and miss, the Cubs lefty walked Freeman intentionally to load the bases but got Acuna to strike out on a slider in the dirt. With the game tied 1-1 Eric Sogard was able to make the most of his rare start as he drove in 2 in the 6. The Cubs allowed just 2 hits the rest of the way as Alzolay, Chafin, Mills, Workman and Kimbrel combined for the 5 man shutout in the 3-0 win.
In the final game Kyle Hendricks would take on Symly. The professor didn’t have his best stuff and gave up a lead off home run to Albies, but was able to keep the damage to a minimum as he allowed 8 hits but just 1 run in 6 innings. The Cubs would tie it in the 5th when Duffy and Marinsick both singled and Hendricks would lay down the bunt to move the runners to 3rd and second which lead to a Ian Happ sarfice. Duffy would again come up big as he would hit his 2nd double of the day which would drive in 2. Duffy would continue his hot start as he went 3-4 in the 4-1 win. After the game the Cubs would make another roster move but this time would keep Alzolay in the show as they moved Shelby Miller to Iowa. Miller was able to pitch 2 solid innings in the final game of the series; Kyle Ryan will take his place to add depth in the pen. Ryan has been off to a hot start on the farm as he has pitched 8 innings of shutout ball in Des Moines for the Iowa Cubs.
Cubs Falter in Cincy
The Cubs (17-8) were on the move again with short rest as they traveled up 75 to Cincinnati to take on the Reds. The Reds sit in 3rd position in the central at 9-15 but looked to capitalize with a strong series to make the division a 3 team race. Arrieta would get the start as Michael Lorenzen would get the nod for an opener. Lorenzen would set the tone for the game as the Cubs could not find a rhythm while the Reds dominated Arrieta. Arrieta would give up 5 runs in 5 innings on 10 hits. Jake would get some frustration out as he hit the 7th home run of his career. That was only the bright spot for the Cubs as they were thrashed 11-2. Kyle Ryan struggled in the back end of the game and his time with the club would be short lived as he was sent down as Shelby Miller was recalled. Ian Hap also was removed in the 3rd inning as he experienced back cramps after pulling up lame on a pick off attempt. Happ will be out a few days but should avoid the IL.
The Reds could keep up their big bats as they would take Zach Davies deep in the 1st when Winker and Votto had a 2 run and solo home respectively. The Cubs would cut the deficit on a Jason Heyward double in the 6th but the bats continued to fall silent in the 1-2 loss.
The Cubs attempt to salvage the series would also come up short. The Cubs would get their only run in the first on a Javy Baez triple that dropped in right field and was misplayed. Trevor Williams was humming until the 5th when the Reds were able to tire out the reliever and come up with the big inning. The Reds would get the sweep after winning 3-1. Willson Contreras will be out a few days as he had to leave the game in the 8th after taking an errant fast ball to the shin. The Cubs will likely be out the catcher for their next series as they travel back to Wrigley to face the Dodgers but are hopeful he’ll be back after the rest day. The Cubs will have a tough task as they will face Price, Kershaw and Bauer - all of which sport ERAs under 2.5; not ideal for an offense missing 2 starters that has only averaged 2.1 runs over their last 7 games.