Well the 2020 Cubs have been consistent. Their games have felt very similar in the first couple of weeks with the team rolling out to their best start since 1907. But like everything else in 2020, their new normal positively sucks. The Cubs have found the absolute quickest way to wash away the positive vibes to start the season, and it is losing four straight close games to the Brewers and now the Cardinals.

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The plan David Ross had for game 1 of the marathon 5 games in 3 day series was simple. That was to have Kyle Hendricks pitch the whole way through and early on it looked like that plan might work. The professor surrendered precisely one hit through 6 innings. Unfortunately that one hit was a Dexter Fowler solo shot in the third inning to give the Cardinals a 1-0 edge.

The Cubs put pressure on Cardinals starter Kwang-hyun Kim early but once again were unable to break through early. Anthony Rizzo walked with one out in the first and reached third on a Javy Baez double. Willson Contreras was put on intentionally. Ian Happ looked awful punching out and a David Bote ground out spelled the end of that frame. The Cubs put another runner into scoring position with no outs in the third inning. Kris Bryant singled and Anthony Rizzo walked to create the threat but a Baez double play ball killed the rally. Willson Contreras then lined out to Goldschmidt to end the inning.

Ian Happ led off the fourth inning with a bomb to redeem himself somewhat and tie the game again. Unfortunately that was the last base hit the Cubs baserunner of the game. It seemed like the Cubs offense might get more cracks at the Cardinals staff with the way Kyle Hendricks was pitching, but he ran out gas a little bit in the seventh and final inning.

Paul Goldschmidt led off with a double. Tyler O’Neill walked and then Matt Carpenter hit a floater into right to load the bases. Dylan Carson hit a grounder to Baez who fired to the plate to get Goldschmidt before he scored. Rowan Wick was summoned to keep the game level, but Brad Miller put a charge into one just over the outstretched glove of Albert Almora Jr. The Cubs best defensive centerfielder wasn’t able to pull off his second amazing catch of the afternoon, and two runners scored on the play. Dylan Carson was thrown out trying to score but the damage had been done with the Cards now leading 3-1.

The Cubs bats were silent against the Cardinals bullpen of Jon Gant, Giovanny Gallegos and Andrew Miller. Nico Hoerner and Albert Almora Jr. hit the ball sharply but right at infielders as the Cubs went quietly in the seventh.

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There isn’t much else to say about this game beyond this.

It was a pretty miserable day at the ballpark for 12 innings. The Cubs offense remained in the deep freeze with the club managing just 3 hits through those first 12 innings. The road Cubs at Wrigley looked like they were facing Carlos Marmol as the team played two true outcomes baseball. The Cubs either reached base via a walk and were able to take an early 1-0 lead without a hit, but they also struck out frequently as has been the pattern for a long time now. After the Cardinals were able to build a lead, it felt like the game was over.

And then David Bote flipped the game with a well-timed longball in a four run inning. The bullpen managed to hold onto to the slimmest of leads and the losing streak is finally over.

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Alex Reyes struck out Kris Bryant to start the game. Anthony Rizzo drew a walk before Javier Baez was also a victim of the K. Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras each drew walks to load the bases with two outs. A passed ball allowed Anthony Rizzo to score but Kyle Schwarber attempted to score as the ball was playing pinball wizard behind the plate. Unfortunately Schwarber was not fast enough hulk to score on the play and the inning was over with the Cubs up 1-0 without a base hit.

Tyson Miller got a nifty play from Anthony Rizzo for his out in the big leagues. Miller worked around a two out walk to Paul Goldschmidt to put up a zero on the board. However, Miller walked Matt Carpenter to start the second inning. Brad Miller then hit a homer to put the Cardinals up 2-1. After Miller failed to retire Miller, Tyson settled in to complete his second big league inning.

The Cubs put runners on against Ricardo Sanchez but failed to record a base hit or more importantly a run in two innings. Ryan Tepera pitched a clean third inning for the Cubs. Rob Kaminsky matched Tepera with a clean top of the fourth inning for the Cardinals as the collective bullpen game wore on.

The Cardinals were able to extend their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning against Kyle Ryan. Brad Miller hit his second homer of the game with one out and Max Schrock hit his first big league home run in the next at bat to double the Cardinals run total. Ryan gave up back to back singles with two outs to give the Cardinals a chance to put the game away. Duane Underwood Jr. struck out Dylan Carlson to keep the Cubs in it at 4-1.

It certainly didn’t feel like the Cubs were still in it as the offense continued to sleep walk through the fifth inning. Underwood pitched a clean bottom of the inning. And then it was the sixth inning.

Genesis Cabrera was starting his second inning of work when he plunked Baez to start the frame. Kyle Schwarber attempted to bunt against the shift but struck out as it rolled foul. Tyler Webb was summoned to face Willson Contreras. The Cubs catcher ripped a double for the Cubs first base hit and the score was now 4-2 Cardinals. Ian Happ bunted Contreras to third. Jason Heyward drew a walk to extend the inning. David Bote was called on to pinch hit for Victor Caratini, and he provided the Cubs second hit of the night with a drive into dead centerfield to make it a 5-4 Cubs lead.

Dan Winkler walked less than bad Brad Miller to start the bottom of the sixth. A pop up to the catcher and a double play prevented the Cardinals from getting anything going. Rizzo added a third Cubs hit in the top of the seventh, but the Cubs couldn’t tack on any insurance runs. It wasn’t needed as Jeremy Jeffress breezed through the bottom of the inning for his second save.

Random Reference

And with that aforementioned swing the Cubs did end the losing streak. And thankful that means:

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