Series 1 Pirates at Cubs

    Game 1

    This game could not have started worse. A walk from Hendricks to the first batter and then Hayes hit a 2 run homer. It didn't get much better for Hendricks either. It took him 63 pitches to go 3 innings with 3 runs allowed. The bullpen did its best to keep the Cubs in the game allowing 2 runs in the last 6 innings. That wasn't enough as the Cubs could only muster 3 runs without many opportunities. Only getting 2 hits is not going to cut it.

    Game 2

    Arrieta gave up 2 hits and walk in the first as it looked like it could be another long day. Not so fast though because Arrieta was stellar after that. With 6 innings of one-run ball, he shut down the Pirate offense. With offense producing 5 runs, that was plenty for the first W of the season. Bryant and Heyward went deep while Baez dazzled with a couple of hits and a couple of stolen bases. Also encouraging was the performance from Kimbrel, striking out the side in the ninth.

    Game 3

    Davies made his first start with the Cubs and looked good. He rolled into the sixth without giving up a run and stumbled a bit at the end but 2 runs in 5 2/3 was another solid outing needed for this team. With 2 runs in the first, the Cubs would never give up the lead. Happ added a homer and Bryant scored an important insurance run after a double and a miscue by the Pirates defense. This game also saw another quality performance from Kimbrel going 1,2,3 with 2 K's in the ninth in a one-run game.

    Overall performance

    After the first game went sideways the Cubs recovered nicely. While Hendricks didn't have a solid outing both other starters did great. The offense produced enough to get a series win. While scoring 3, 5, and 4 runs isn't great it's nice to see them score a couple of runs by getting guys over and sacrificing to get the run. This is what has to continue for the offense to be successful.

    The good

    Bryant looks like he is locked in with a solid first series. He had 3 hits including a double and a homer and 3 walks. Kimbrel looked like the pitcher we thought we were getting at the beginning of the deal. He faced six batters and struck out 5 without giving up a baserunner. The starters other than Hendricks were impressive as well. Both going into the sixth at least and only 3 runs given up combined is great and what they need going forward. The bullpen also was strong with 3 runs in 12 and 1/3 innings. Getting walked and having quality at-bats was also good to see. Drawing 15 walks this series is huge and shows a commitment to help the team and wait for our pitches. Also, there were more productive outs in this series than we've seen from this offense recently which will hopefully continue. Winning a series against a division rival is always key and we go into next week tied atop the division. Lastly having fans back at Wrigley was a welcome sight even in a reduced capacity. They added to the vibe and will make this season hopefully seem more normal than last.

    The bad

    Hendricks start to the season was quite problematic. He walked 3 and only went 3 innings. He has to be the stud of the staff, so hopefully this is just a blip. Walks from the pitching staff was also an area of concern. The bullpen alone issued 9 walks in their 12 and 1/3 innings. Davies and Hendricks walked 3 each and that is just too many. We cannot give the other teams free baserunners at this rate and succeed. The offense as a whole was lackluster. 12 hits the entire series is abysmal. While getting free passes helps, you have to be able to get hits as well as an offense. As a team, the Cubs hit only .143 this series and that number will obviously not cut it in the long run. It's a testament to the pitching that the Cubs won 2 out 3 while hitting this poorly.

    Looking Ahead

    The next series is a 3 game homestead against the Brewers. The Brewers dropped 2 of 3 to the Twins and weren't impressive in many ways. Some of their role players stepped up to win their only game and were the biggest contributors in their series. The power was lacking and the pitching staff didn't deliver for them. This is an important series as the Brewers look to be a contender in the division. A series win would be nice and show that the Cubs are real and ready to fight for the division this year.