Strong pitching leads Cubs past Brewers |
CHICAGO - With the MLB Trade Deadline just eight days away, the Chicago Cubs (49-53) have shifted their focus a bit on what their plans are. Despite being just 3.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot, unless this team can go on a massive run this week, it doesn't appear they will be buyers this season.
However, it also doesn't appear they will be immediate sellers unless they find a deal that benefits them in 2025 and beyond. That means standing pat is a very real option, and with only 3.5 games separating them from the playoffs, it could be just what this team needs. The best way to get on a nice little run here is to knock off the teams in front of you and the Milwaukee Brewers (57-43) are one of those teams. In front of another large Wrigley Field crowd, the Cubs had a chance to knock off the first-place Brewers, which hasn't happened a ton this season. Although it was far from pretty, a win is a win, and the Cubs managed to pick up a 3-1 win. Javier Assad was making just his second start since returning from the IL, and it was an interesting one, to say the least. It's not too often when a starting pitcher can walk six batters in less than four innings and live to tell about it, but that was the case here as Assad issued six walks, but only allowed one hit as he gave the Cubs 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Compare that to Tobias Myers who struck out six in 5 1/3 and allowed three runs, you would've thought the Brewers were the ones beating the Cubs, but that is how baseball works sometimes as the Cubs will gladly take this win. Not only did Assad have to pitch out of trouble in the first after a one-out double from William Contreras, but it was also the third inning that put the most pressure on him, as he did a trick that few have seen. After retiring the first two batters on just six pitches, Assad completely lost his command as he went on to walk the next three hitters to load the bases. He then went 3-0 to Sal Frelick before somehow getting out of that jam without damage to keep things scoreless. Those moments can give teams a ton of momentum, and it did look like the Cubs got some momentum from that moment. It all started with a Miguel Amaya single to lead things off in the bottom of the third as he has quietly pushed his average north of .220. Amaya would advance to second on a balk, but with two outs, the Cubs were in danger of stranding a runner. That was until Michael Busch delivered an RBI single to center as the Cubs took a 1-0 lead and never looked back. Delivery from Michael Busch 📬 Two more walks from Assad in the top of the fourth was the end of the line for him as Drew Smyly and the bullpen took over. After giving up a hit to Garrett Mitchell to begin his outing, Smyly also pulled out a Houdini act as the Cubs escaped their second straight bases-loaded jam and kept their 1-0 lead intact. Drew Smyly escapes the bases-loaded jam! pic.twitter.com/kvM60RPhDz Then came the bottom of the fourth where a one out Mike Tauchman single was the start of another nice inning for the Cubs as he would advance to third on a costly error one batter later. Still standing on third and with two outs, Tauchman took it upon himself to bring home the Cubs next run as he raced home on a wild pitch to double their lead 2-0 and proved to be the winning run. To the Cubs credit, their bullpen has been much better over the past month and have the best bullpen ERA in baseball during that span. They continued that by not allowing a single run against the Diamondbacks over the weekend and then got off to a great start on Monday with Smyly, Tyson Miller, and Mark Leiter Jr all tossing scoreless frames. Leiter Jr had the most impressive inning by striking out the side in the seventh, as he has looked as good as ever since returning from the IL. Still holding their 2-0 lead in the sixth, Ian Happ connected for a leadoff homer to push the Cubs lead to 3-0, as that would be the night's final run for the Cubs. Exit velocity: 110.9 mph 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/uTPOYt13Qg Happ has continued to carry this team offensively at times and has remained one of the best hitters in baseball over the past two months in terms of production. The Cubs had a chance to add to their lead in the seventh after putting two on with a walk and an infield Nico Hoerner hit, but they were unable to push across any more runs. That has come back to bite the Cubs in the past, but when you only allow one run on five hits, you are in great shape. The game's lone run for the Brewers came off Porter Hodge in the eighth as he surrendered a leadoff homer to Willy Adames. Take that away, and the bullpen was lights out again as Hector Neris worked around a one-out double in the ninth to pick up his 14th save of the season. [W] pic.twitter.com/mMV0xmbcaR With eight hits in the game, the Cubs made the most of those hits as Busch and Dansby Swanson led the way with two. Chicago will look to clinch the series tomorrow as Colin Rea faces off against Jameson Taillon for what could be his final start in a Cubs uniform. “That’s our job in the clubhouse right now is to make it tough on Jed,” Happ said about the trade deadline. “It’s going out and playing good baseball and putting ourselves in a position where we can get back in this thing. The nice part about the Wild Card situation is it’s all bunched up right now. We’ve got plenty of baseball left.” Starting the [W]eek off right #Cubs get the W behind a dominate bullpen performance. Miguel Amaya continues to have quality ABs. pic.twitter.com/e7oZdde7wJ The Cubs are 2-0 with Jon Lester in the booth. pic.twitter.com/JjQ5Cuw9ey “Our job in the clubhouse right now is to make it tough on Jed.” The Cubs’ bullpen has been getting the job done 👏 pic.twitter.com/eaUcGd8rar
Cubs lead! pic.twitter.com/RqmygU34EI
Busch: 2-for-4, RBI, SB
Happ: HR
Leiter Jr.: 1 IP, 0 H, 3 K pic.twitter.com/1GD36dyWjR
Ian Happ on the trade deadline. pic.twitter.com/m5wHMfuwYP
