What You Need To Know: This was an ugly game for both the Pirates and Cubs. Then it was an ugly game for the Cubs. It then became a very “meh” game for Cubs fans. We probably should have spent our time watching the Bulls. (Editor’s Note: Nope.)
The Cubs had Jon Lester toeing the mound against Tyler Glasnow. Through four starts this season, Lester is posting a 2.66 ERA. He has struck out 21 batters, but more remarkably, he has only walked one. Glasnow has only pitched at least five innings once in his three starts. He pitched just 23.1 innings in the majors last season.
The Cubs made short work of Glasnow. Through just three and two-thirds innings, the 23-year-old Glasnow threw 89 pitches before being relieved. Unfortunately, as if saying, “Hold my beer,” Lester was equally as inefficient, throwing 29 pitches in the bottom of the first and 26 pitches in the bottom of the second. Though he was able to get things under control, it was too late as the Pirates knocked in six runs against the veteran lefty.
Next Level: Before tonight’s game, Lester had only given up one home run this season. Tonight, he gave up two. Let’s take a look at those at-bats. First, however, I must mention how wide the strike zone was tonight. No, really. Look!
From Brooks Baseball, the dashed box “represents the strike zone that all umpires generally call.” Against a predominantly right-handed lineup, Lester was working with a generous strike zone.
The first home run came in the bottom of the first against Josh Harrison.
It’s reasonable to assume that Lester did not know what kind of perceived strike zone he was working with. However, in case you are wondering, an average-velocity fastball up in the zone is not good no matter what the edges of the strike zone look like.
The second home run came in the bottom of the sixth against Josh Bell.
Lester was clearly working the edges of the zone, his first and fourth pitch were called strikes. But again, a fastball down the middle was smacked over the wall.
Poor pitch location bit Lester in the rear tonight.
Top WPA Play: This section’s original version highlighted Jon Jay’s double in the fifth. I had such a wonderful segue following in the next section lamenting the low WPA play following the top WPA play.
Instead, in the top of the eighth, Kris Bryant singled to right. With one out and one on, Anthony Rizzo went yard. His home run brought the game within one run. (+.122).
Bottom WPA Play: Down one run in the top of the ninth, the Cubs came close to securing the win and their first sweep of the season. Willson Contreras led off the inning with a single to left. Javier Baez reached first on a fielder’s choice. Ben Zobrist also reached on a fielder’s choice, but an error at short put two men on base. Albert Almora Jr. was at the plate with the tying run in scoring position. Not wanting to buck the trend, Almora also hit a grounder, resulting in a double play and the end of the game (-.274).
Up Next: Tomorrow is a travel day for the team. The Cubs head to Boston for their first interleague series of the season and their last series on this road trip. Friday’s opening game has Jake Arrieta and Drew Pomeranz as probable starters. Scheduled game time Friday is at 6:10 PM.
Lead photo courtesy Charles LeClaire—USA Today Sports