Reds at Cubs

    Game 1

     The weather was downcast as the series began. It made for a pitcher's duel as Alzolay would battle as Gutierrez in his debut. Alzolay survived multiple jams through 5 and 2/3 innings. The Reds would have a man in scoring position in 6 of the first 7 innings of the game. The Cubs would not let them score as Alzolaay and the bullpen worked their magic. The Cubs' offense was struggling with Gutierrez though. They only had 3 baserunners in the first 4 innings and it looked like it would be difficult to find a run against him. Bote would hit a lined solo homer into the basket in left. With the wind howling in, the line shot was the only way a ball was leaving the field and Bote hit it perfectly. Neither team would mount much of a threat after that and the game would end 1-0 Cubbies.

    Game 2

     The Cubs got an early lead as they scored twice in the second. Contreras singled and got to third when Suarez had a wild throw to first that got Bote to second. Sogard singled Contreras home and Bote scored on a bunt single by Davies. The teams would trade zeros until the sixth when Davies left the game after walking Suarez. Brothers came in and had some command issues before giving up a bases-loaded double that tied the game. The Reds would strand men on second and third to end the inning though. The Cubs would respond right away in the bottom of the inning. Command issues hampered Reds pitchers as Castillo walked 2 before exiting the game followed by 2 walks from Garret to plate the first run. Pederson would single in 2 more runs followed by another run-scoring single from Bryant. The Cubs would add another run on Ortega's first homer as a Cub in the seventh. The Cubs would blow the game open in the bottom of the eighth as Pederson, Bryant, Baez, Happ, and Contreras had consecutive singles to get 3 more runs. The game would end with that scoreline as Wieck and Maples threw scoreless innings.

    Game 3

     The Cubs jumped on Arrieta early in this one taking a 3-0 lead in the first. The Reds loaded the bases with one out and after a sac fly benefitted from an error by Bryant to plate 2 more runs in the inning. Mahle was mowing down the Cubs hitters and the Reds scored 2 more in the fourth when Suarez hit a homer out of Wrigley followed by an error and wild pitch setting up Naquin to single home Stephenson. That would chase Arrieta from the game as he allowed 5 runs with only 2 earned. The bullpen came in and did its job shutting the Reds down. It was too late at that point as the Cubs could only muster a single run on a Bryant single in the eighth. The Cubs would go quietly in the ninth as they couldn't complete the sweep.

    The good

     A fifth consecutive series win is nice. The wins are piling up even as the injuries are mounting. The Cubs lost Bote in this series with a dislocated shoulder. Hopefully, some of the players on the IL will be back soon. The bullpen continues to be solid even though they allowed 2 runs in the series. Alzolay is continuing to look better and better as the year has gone on. He is a young guy that will be a foundational piece of the rotation moving forward. Bryant continues to be a force and be able to play almost anywhere as the injuries pile up.

    The bad

     Similar to last series Injuries continue to pile up and its only a matter of time before the full effect is felt. Arrieta struggling and multiple errors was a bad look for the finale. With new players all around it'll be tough not to have some games like that though. Bryant continues to be a force and be able to play almost anywhere as the injuries pile up. Rizzo still being out while not on the IL is also concerning as hopefully, he'll be back in the lineup shortly.

    Looking ahead

     The Cubs have the Padres for 3 before heading out west for a tough road trip. They will have the Giants for four and the Padres for 3 more out west. If the Cubs can hang in there and split during this 10 game stretch that'd be huge. A couple of series against solid teams in a row, while we're hurting, will be a real test as the Cubs have taken care of business against some lower teams recently.