On a scorching hot day in Chicago, the Cubs bats stayed hot late into the night to get the 8-3 win over the San Francisco Giants.
What You Need to Know: A combination of defensive miscues and command issues from starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood allowed the Giants to get to quick 3-0 lead after the top of the first inning. Cubs offense wasted no time getting back into the game, however, by placing a three-spot of their own in the first inning to level the score.
After failing to capitalize on a few scoring opportunities, Javy Baez made sure to not leave the fourth inning empty-handed by smashing a 3-run home run to right field. The home run extended his team-leading total to 13 home runs for the the season.
The two additional runs scored in the fifth inning were more than enough for the Cubs’ bullpen, which allowed no runs in 6 1/3 innings of work.
Next Level: On Tuesday against Cleveland, Chatwood struggled, going only 2 2/3 innings and giving up four earned runs while walking six more batters. Tonight his struggles continued with an almost identical stat line of 2 2/3 innings, three earned runs, and five walks.
Much of his troubles this season have been due to his command issues. He came tonight with a first pitch strike percentage of 51.7, amongst the lowest in the majors, and his 45 walks are the most for a starter in the majors.
Throughout tonight, his lack of control was in plain sight, missing the strike zone by wide margins and getting himself in bad counts quickly. He looked to have settled down towards the end of his start, especially having a mound visit with a very animated Willson Contreras, but after a week like Chatwood has had, much work is left to be done.
Top WPA Play: Javy’s three-run 400-foot homer in the fifth inning, (+.136).
Bottom WPA Play: Mac Williamson singled to right field scoring two runs, and a throwing error from Jason Heyward gave Pablo Sandoval and Williamson an extra base—but no further damage arose from the error. (-151).
Up Next: Cubs have a quick turnaround with a day game in Pittsburgh tomorrow. Mike Montgomery will take Yu Darvish’s spot in the rotation.
Lead photo courtesy Dennis Wierzbicki—USA Today Sports