Series 13 Cubs at Tigers

    Game 1

    Arrieta was solid in his return to the rotation, tossing 6 innings of 2 run ball. He also got support in the game as the Cubs started the scoring in the 3rd when Bryant hit a 2 run homer. The Cubs got 2 more in the 5th on a Rizzo double and Baez single. With a 4 run lead, the Cubs would ride Arrieta and the bullpen the rest of the way. The Tigers got 2 in the sixth from solo shots from Rogers and Grossman but that'd be it. The bullpen was efficient in 3 scoreless innings on 29 pitches. Kimbrel impressed with a 12 pitch inning where he struck out the side.

    Game 2

    This was a back and forth affair form the beginning. The Cubs got two in the first off a double from Rizzo. The Tigers responded right away though with 3 of their own in the bottom half. The Cubs would regain the lead in the third with a run on a Rizzo ground out and another on a Duffy double. The Tigers would get the lead back with 3 more in the fourth as Mills struggled as he replaced Williams in the 3rd. Not to be outdone the Cubs would get the lead right back as Duffy clubbed a 3 run homer in the fifth. The Tigers would tie it up in the 7th though and bring it to extra innings. The Cubs got a run in the top of the 10th as Duffy stayed hot and drove in Baez with a single. That wasn't enough though as the Tigers would get 2 of their own and walk it off after a single, steal, and another single won the game for them.

    Game 3

     Hendricks was solid after giving up two baserunners in the first. He cruised through 8 innings before giving up 2 more base runners in the ninth and getting pulled. Boyd also looked good for the Tigers but the Cubs took advantage of some subpar fielding from the Tigers. The Cubs got their first run in the third when Bryant grounded into a fielder's choice and Happ scored from second on heads up baserunning. They would get another in the fourth after an HBP, an error and a bloop double. The Cubs then pulled away a little in the sixth. Duffy led the inning off with an infield single and scored on a double from Bote. Hoerner would get a sac fly to score Bote and Happ capped off his great day with a solo homer. The Tigers would avoid the shutout in the ninth with a single run but the Cubs would get the W and take the series.

    The good

    Duffy continues to rake and is such a valuable part of the lineup. He does what is asked of him in every game and is showing his worth. Happ having a solid game coming back is huge. He is someone who needs to up his play for the team to succeed. Arrieta and Hendricks both had great outings and continue to be the rocks of the rotation. Pederson, Rizzo, and Baez all had good series as well. It seems like a couple of guys are starting to round into form. That'll be crucial for the offense to sustain its success.

    The bad

    Losing game 2 when we had multiple leads is bad. The pitching was bad as Williams struggled as did Mills and even Kimbrel. The continued close games are also troubling somewhat. It would be nice to see the Cubs put a team away more often.

    Looking ahead

    The Cubs start a 4 game series with the Nationals tonight. It will be emotional as Lester and Schwarber return to Wrigley. Lester will even start game one in his return. This is a battle of two teams that could go either way this year. Neither division looks too tough and it'll be an interesting summer if these teams continue to be middling.