If I needed confirmed for me that, in my heart, I know the season is over, today did it: I felt completely emotionless about the Cubs blowing their lead. I was just shrugging as I watched. So I guess, yeah, I must think it’s definitely over.
As for the substance of the game, the most important thing was the return of Justin Steele. He looked healthy, which is what matters. His performance looked fine, too, though he was on a hard pitch count – so when he ran into some pesky at bats in the third, that ended his day. I will note, though, that a pretty obvious strike three call was missed, which not only would’ve ended the third inning, it would’ve saved Steele enough pitches to go into the 4th, too. Alas.
It was effectively a bullpen game for the Cubs, and that Drew Smyly-Nate Pearson tandem didn’t work out once again, ultimately yielding four runs between the 7th and 8th innings.
Offensively, the Cubs did not have an extra-base hit in t🌺he game, so that probably tells you a lot.
Another good day for Nico Hoerner, whose got his season slash line more or less back to league average. That’s nice to see. He can have today’s for his trouble.
Welcome bac🃏k to Jorge Lopez, who went strikeout, pop out, strikeout in a dominant inning of work.
.
