For many of the game, Kyle Hendricks had nothing working but his fastballs. David Ross is gon na get ripped for the decision to leave Hendricks in that long, but it was at least a close call. When things got to Dickerson, the lefty, thats when pulling the trigger wouldve made sense (and not just because, well, he homered– it was Hendricks fourth time seeing Dickerson on the day).
Game over.
Full box score.
Offensively, the Cubs actually had problem with Sandy Alcantara, who was wild early on, but fought well in deep counts, and got a lot much better as the video game went on. It just kinda ended up looking like so, many games we saw this year.
For the majority of the video game, Kyle Hendricks had absolutely nothing working but his fastballs. He was able to make it work by keeping the ball on the ground and with some solid defense behind him. He started to get the changeup and curveball working a bit in the 5th and 6th, but hard contact in the 7th– when he was over 100 pitches– bit him. Difficult single, tough single, three-run homer in quick succession. David Ross is gon na get ripped for the decision to leave Hendricks because long, but it was at least a close call. My comment was to let Hendricks deal with the righties in the 7th, however have someone up. When things got to Dickerson, the lefty, thats when pulling the trigger wouldve made good sense (and not even if, well, he homered– it was Hendricks 4th time seeing Dickerson on the day). Perhaps Andrew Chafin shouldve been up in anticipation of that moment? Sadly.
But this one mattered a lot more. All the best, Yu Darvish. Might have to shut the Marlins out tomorrow.
The really brief variation is something you d anticipate: the bats were essentially non-existent, and the Marlins hit a couple homers. Thats it. Video game over.
That sucked. We have not seen the Cubs win a playoff video game in a couple of years now, and weve seen three straight playoff game losses.
Jeremy Jeffress took over for Hendricks, and without delay gave up a single and a homer of his own. Who knows what wouldve occurred if he d remained in a batter previously– various guy and all– however its not like he came in and was nails.
