Top Play (WPA): It seems that whenever the Cubs and White Sox get together, regardless of the relative strengths of the two teams, that fans on both sides can expect excitement. This game was no exception, as the two teams traded the lead back-and-forth, beginning in the first inning. Neither starting pitcher was very sharp in Friday’s contest, and Kyle Hendricks had one of his more difficult starts of the season. The two teams had already been through three lead changes when Adam Eaton came to bat with one out and a runner on first in the bottom of the fourth inning. Clayton Richard had already warmed up several times in the bullpen, and was ready to go in the case of any trouble, and there was some question as to whether he should have been brought in before Eaton batted. Nevertheless, Joe Maddon chose to put his trust in Hendricks, but Eaton caught just enough of a low-and-outside sinker to hit a home run (.238), putting the White Sox up 5-4.
Bottom Play (WPA): The Cubs’ bullpen had been holding the game in check ever since the Cubs took Kyle Hendricks out in the bottom of the fourth inning. They had shut the White Sox offense down, allowing themselves to retake the lead in the top of the fifth at 6-5 and to maintain said lead throughout the game. Pedro Strop, as he has been so many times this season, was tasked with putting the White Sox hitters away in order to get the ball to closer Hector Rondon in the ninth. Strop found himself in a bit of trouble after allowing a single to Alexei Ramirez (.098), and following a sacrifice bunt from Carlos Sanchez (-.042), a walk to Geovany Soto (.044) that put runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the eighth. Given the litany of Cubs’ relief issues in the 21st century, it’s understandable that many watching were on pins and needles. Strop, however, was able to find a second wind and come up with two crucial sliders to first strikeout Adam Eaton (-.120) and thenTyler Saladino (-.122), both of the swinging variety. There continues to be a narrative out there among some that Strop is inconsistent, but he has only allowed five earned runs since the start of June, so his performances seem to be disproving this idea.
Key Moment: Adam Eaton’s home run in the fourth inning could have been the death knell for the Cubs in this game, but anyone who has watched this Cubs team this season should know by now to never count them out. The Cubs quickly recorded two outs in the top of the fifth inning and it appeared, at least for the moment, as if Jeff Samardzija was going to avoid any more damage being done. Chris Coghlan and Anthony Rizzo, however, had an idea of their own. Coghlan, who had already put the Cubs up 4-2 earlier in the game with a home run, stepped to the plate. The bases were empty, but Coghlan decided to launch a 97 mph fastball into center field just past the wall for a solo home run (.144) to tie the game 5-5. Following Coghlan’s heroics, and certainly not to be outdone, Rizzo demolished a splitter to right for a no-doubter (.151) to put the Cubs up 6-5, a lead they would not relinquish.
Trend to Watch: Kris Bryant’s slump had been of great concern to most observers of the 2015 Cubs. The young superstar had an atrocious July, as his numbers fell across the board. He posted a .168/.270/.368 line with a K-rate of 33.3 percent in July, as his youth began to show a bit. However, many still expected him to bounce back, as he’s just too naturally good at baseball to stay down for long. This has been proven correct in August, as Bryant is currently riding the wave of an 11-game hit streak and has posted his best monthly splits yet, to this point. The Cubs’ offense has turned around recently, and while many have attributed this to Kyle Schwarber’s addition to the regular starting lineup, just as important has been Bryant’s return to form.
Coming Next: The Cubs (66-48) will look to extend the winning streak to nine and guarantee at least a season series tie with the White Sox (54-59), as the push to claim the first Wild Card spot continues. Team ace Jake Arrieta (2.38 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 2.65 DRA) takes the mound for the Cubs, while the talented and much unheralded lefty Jose Quintana (3.59 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 4.14 DRA) gets the start for the White Sox.
Lead photo courtesy of David Banks-USA TODAY Sports