Series 20 Cubs at Padres

    Game 1

     Another tough game out West for the Cubs. They started slowly and came back before getting torched late for a 9-4 loss. The Padres started the scoring in the first as Alzolay struggled with 2 hits and 2 walks allowed. The Padres only managed one run though to keep the Cubs close. The Padres added another in the second as Caaratini lead off with a double and scored on a sac fly by Machado. The Padres continued to add as O'Grady hit a 2 run homer in the third as Alozolay's day was done after 3 innings and a blister on his middle finger. The Cubs would fight back in the fourth though. Bryant and Rizzo started the innings with singles followed by a walk by Wisdom that loaded the bases. The Cubs would get 2 runs as Marisnick hit a swinging bunt and an errant throw from Weathers allowed Rizzo to score as well. Happ would sacrifice them over and Alcantara would have a sac fly to get the Cubs within one. The Padres would add 2 more in the sixth as Thompsons' command was lacking with two walks and a wild pitch that put them in position to score on a fielder's choice and a sac fly. Happ would homer in the seventh but the offense couldn't muster up anything else. The Padres added 3 insurance runs in the eighth that put the game to bed.

    Game 2

     The Cubs evened the series as the long ball provided the offense as Davies was lights out on the mound. The Cubs started their home run parade in the fourth as Contreras blasted a long solo shot to left to grab the lead. The Cubs would pour it on in the sixth as Rizzo had a 2 RBI double after singles from Pederson and Bryant started the inning. The Cubs would add more in the sixth as Wisdom hit a 2 run homer on a line drive to left to open up a commanding 5-0 lead. Davies would come out after six strong innings of shutout baseball allowing only 1 hit and 2 walks as he continues to turn around his season after a dreadful April. The Cubs would add some more insurance in the seventh as Rizzo hit a 2 run bomb to left after Pederson doubled earlier in the inning. The Padres would get a consolation run in the ninth but it mattered little as the Cubs won 7-1.

    Game 3

     The Cubs would take the series as the pitching excelled again while the bats provided enough juice to get the win. Arrieta starred in the game as he needed a good outing after being roughed up in his last couple of starts. He allowed 1 run in 5 innings on 4 hits and a single walk paired with 6 strikeouts. The Padres started the scoring in this one as they got a run in the third as Machado singled in Pham after he had singled and stole second. The lead wouldn't last long though as Pederson belted a solo shot to tie things up in the fourth. The Cubs would grad the lad in the seventh. Happ walked and wisdom followed with a single to get men on first and third for Rizzo. He would hit into a double play but Happ would score and the Cubs would have the 2-1 lead. The Cubs bullpen was in at this point and they locked the Padres down. Brothers, Tepera, and Kimbrel combined for 4 innings and 5 strikeouts without allowing a single baserunner. The Cubs would get an insurance run in the eighth as Alcantara knocked his first homer of the year to right.

    The good

     The starters in the last two games were brilliant. Davies looks like he has righted the ship after a rough start to the season for him. Arrieta put in a solid performance as well and it was needed after a couple of really rough starts for him coming back from the IL. The bullpen continues to impress as everyone is putting in solid contributions. The long ball is really flying lately for the Cubs as they had 6 homers in the series from 6 different players that propelled the offense. Getting Marisnick back from the IL is nice s well and even being able to keep Martini after the DFA is solid for depth. A series victory and going 5-1 against the Padres on the year shows we can compete with top teams in the NL as this team continues to outplay projections.

    The bad

     Alzolays tough start and following IL placement is really bad for the team. Alzolay had been rolling and had solidified a spot in the rotation. Hopefully, the IL stint is short and the blister heals fast for him. With Williams on the IL already the rotation is thin and there doesn't appear to have much depth. The offense is relying a bit too much on the long ball as it accounted for 8 of the 14 runs in the series. That is baseball today though and it's not completely one-dimensional but something to improve on.

    Looking ahead

     The Cubs series against the Cardinals lost a little bit of luster as the Cardinals hit the skids on their current 6-game losing streak. It's still a rivalry and both teams will be competing for the division with the Brewers though so it carries a lot of weight. Seeing the Cubs debut their Wrigleyville uniforms will also be nice as they look fly.