Cubs bounce back with 9-2 win in series opener.
The Cubs had a rough Sunday, losing a game and seeing their top pitcher injured. That could send a lot of teams reeling. But through the first quarter of the season, this team has been exceptionally resilient. Monday night was no exception. The Cubs bounced back from a rough day with a 9-2 victory. This one over a Giants team that has been terrific, so far.
This was a team effort. As is so often the case, it started with a strong pitching performance. Matthew Boyd allowed two runs over six innings. It featured a couple of long balls, by Ian Happ and Carson Kelly. I’m not sure if it is even possible, but is there any chance we are all living in some Carson Kelly fever dream? The veteran catcher has exceeded every realistic expectation in the early going. Dansby Swanson led the offense. he had three of the team’s nine hits. He drove in two and scored two. Ironically, he got red hot after being dropped to the eighth spot in the order.
But again, this was a team effort. Seven Cubs had hits. Six Cubs scored runs. Five Cubs drove in runs. Perhaps most interesting, the last five hitters in the order had at least one hit and at least one run. That’s a lot of production from the back half of the order. This is a deep and talented team.
This Giants team has been off to a great start to the season. This was certainly not a shot taken from the layup line. The thing that has been most impressive to me about this team is the ability to bounce back. Seemingly every time. This team has turned me into a broken record like no other before it. I feel like I’m describing some high school crush that has me all weak in the knees.
I don’t know where this team is going, but I’m sure enjoying following them.
Pitch Counts:
- Giants: 135, 8 IP, 39 BF
- Cubs: 135, 9 IP, 34 B
Nothing eye-popping here, but the Cubs did make the Giants work a little harder. Though each team used three pitchers. Spencer Bivens, for the Giants, and Gavin Hollowell may both be down for the rest of the series after throwing multiple innings. Hayden Birdsong may also be unavailable. If he’s on shaky ground, that could mean the minors for him. He allowed five runs on two hits and two walks in just one-third of an inning.
Three Stars:
- Dansby Swanson. Three hits, two of those were doubles, two runs batted in, two runs scored. That’ll play.
- Matthew Boyd. Six innings, five hits, two runs. Seven strikeouts and no walks. Big performance.
- Ian Happ had a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly.
Game 35, May 6: Cubs 9, Giants 2 (22-13)
Fangraphs
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
- Superhero: Dansby Swanson (.282). 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Hero: Ian Happ (.134). 1-3, HR, SF, 3 RBI, R
- Sidekick: Matthew Boyd (.087). 6 IP, 5 H, 0 BB, 2 ER, 7 K (W 3-2)
THREE GOATS:
- Billy Goat: Michael Busch (-.054). 0-3, BB
- Goat: Kyle Tucker (-.034). 0-4, BB
- Kid: Nicky Lopez (-.018). 1-3, BB, RBI, R
WPA Play of the Game: With two outs and a runner on second in the fourth, the Giants trailed by two when Luis Matos homered to tie the game. (.215)
*Cubs Play of the Game: With two outs and runners on second and third, the game was tied in the bottom of the fourth when Dansby Swanson had a two-run single. (.208)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Yesterday’s Winner: Shōta Imanaga with 154 of 171 votes
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 5/Bottom 5)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
- Kyle Tucker +16
- Shōta Imanaga +11
- Ian Happ +8
- Miguel Amaya +7
- Jameson Taillon +6
- Matt Shaw/Dansby Swanson/Michael Busch -7
- Ben Brown/Julian Merryweather -8
Up Next: Game two of the three game set Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. A compelling matchup as Colin Rea (2-0, 1.46, 24⅔ IP) squares off against Justin Verlander (0-2, 4.38, 37 IP). This is a which way you tilt your head matchup. When you look at it one way, you have the longtime star against a journeyman. When you look at it the other, you see an aging veteran against that journeyman looking like he could be having a bit of a breakout.
This game looks winnable. The Giants have been very good, but maybe, with some decent matchups the Cubs can stack another series win.