There were some wild WPA swings in this game.
This is quite the WPA chart:
Fangraphs
The Cubs peaked at an 84.8 percent chance of winning in the top of the fourth. It was all downhill from there.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Matt Shaw (.215). 2-4. HR, 3 RBI
Hero: Carson Kelly (.112). 3-4, HR
Sidekick: Ryan Brasier (.047). 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K
These guys, at least, did their part to help the Cubs get an early lead, which they then squandered.
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Ben Brown (-.622). 4 IP, 7 H, 7 R (6 ER), 2 HR
This is the seventh-worst WPA score for a Cub so far this year.
Goat: Michael Busch (-.059). 0-for-4, 2 K
Kid: Nico Hoerner (-.054.) 0-for-4, K
Cubs Player of the Game:
Up next: Game two of this three-game series, with a battle of left-handers: Cubs All-Star Matthew Boyd facing former Cub, and 20-year MLB veteran, Rich Hill. Should be interesting!