Series 21 Cardinals at Cubs

    Game 1

     The vibe was electric in Wrigley as a 100% capacity crowd filled the stadium for the first time since 2019. The Cardinals tried to spoil the fun as they raced out to an early lead but the Cubs would come back and take game 1 as the crowd helped fuel the comeback. The scoring started in the second as Carpenter singled in O'Neil while Molina was thrown out trying to advance to third on the play. The Cardinals would add another run in the third as Arenado singled home Oviedo. The Cubs would get a run back in the fourth as Pederson hit a solo homer as he stayed hot. The Cardinals would do more damage in the fifth as a walk, single, double to start the inning drove Stewart from the game. The Cardinals would add two more runs when Arenado singled home both Edman and Carlson to cement the Cardinals' lead at 5-1 in the fifth. The Cubs would get right back in it though. Contreras walked and Heyward singled and a passed ball would score Contreras. Alcantara would triple home Heyward and then score on a throwing error. by Molina. to make it. a one-run game again. Then the at-bat of the game and probably series happened in the bottom of the sixth. Rizzo battled Ponce De Leon in an epic 14 pitch at-bat that resulted in a game-tying homer that sent Wrigley into a frenzy as the crowd erupted as Rizzo belted a line-drive homer to the right field bleachers. The Cubs would take the lead in the seventh as Pederson doubled in Heyward and MArisnick for their first lead of the game. Contreras would add a solo shot in the eighth and the bullpen would shut down the Cardinals to cement the series-opening win for the Cubs.

    Game 2

     The Cubs would guarantee a series victory as the Cardinals control was lacking in a 7-2 win for the Cubs. The Cardinals got on the board first as Arenado hit a solo homer in the second. The cubs would respond right away with 5 runs of their own though. Gant struggled with his command as he issued 5 walks and a homer before exiting after 1 2/3 innings. of work. Woodruff would take over and did little to help as he gave up a single and HBP to the first two batters he faced. The Cubs would end the inning on a Contrera popup but the damage was done as they had a 5-1 lead. The cardinals would threaten right back as DeJong hit a solo homer followed by a single and walk that gave them a chance to get right back in it. Hendricks would shut down Goldschmidt and Arenado to silence the redbirds. The Cubs added runs on Alcantara and Pederson solo shots in the 3rd and fourth respectively to widen their lead to 7-2. There wasn't much of a scoring threat by either side until the top of the ninth. The Cardinals would load the bases with 2 outs. Kimbrel would come in and get Sosa to ground out and end the game before they had a chance.

    Game 3

     Davies continued his brilliance with 6 2/3 shutout innings allowing 2 hits and 2 walks in his outing. Martinez was also brilliant but some lackluster fielding led to a couple of Cub runs as they completed the sweep. A pitcher's duel to close the series was appropriate as the bats had taken the headlines in the first 2 games. Davies was dominant as the Cardinals had only 2 men get in scoring position against him as they tried to find some offense. After 15 straight outs to start the game, Sogard would double to right to lead off the third for the Cubs. Alcantara would ground out and move him to third and then Davies would strikeout to set up the big inning. Pederson would hit a grounder that DeJong would boot to give the Cubs their first run and the lead. Bryant and Rizzo would follow with singles to score Pederson and give the Cubs a lead that would last. Neither team would put up much of a threat the rest of away as the Cubs completed the sweep in a packed-out Wrigley.

    The good

     Fans are back at 100% and Wrigley is rocking. The Cubs had already been rolling at home and this only helped as the players were feeding off the crowd throughout the series. Sweeping your biggest rival while hanging on to a tie at the top of the division is huge and this was such an electric series. Pederson seems to have found his power out west and brought it back to Wrigley. Alcantara is swinging the bat well and has taken over the second base role well and filled in nicely for Baez at shortstop too. Hendricks and Davies both pitched well as they continue to show that April was a fluke for them and they can be a solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. The bullpen continues to be stellar and Kimbrel pitched three consecutive games only allowing 1 baserunner on his way to 3 saves in the series. The Rizzo at-bat was amazing and set the tone for the series and hopefully will help him continue to improve throughout the year.

    The bad

     Baez not playing the last game is a little distressing and hopefully, it's only a minor setback as he wasn't placed on the IL. Stewart had another rough outing and it shows that Alzolay and Williams are needed back into the rotation as the depth is not there.

    Looking ahead

     A difficult series with the first-place Mets lies ahead. The Cubs' schedule through June is daunting as they try to keep up with the Brewers in the division. The Cubs' will be back home for series against the Marlins and Indians starting next weekend.