The St. Louis Cardinals look to get back home field advantage with a big road win here.
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The Cubs will let the Cardinals stress about their pitching.
The Cubs are still guaranteed nothing with Arrieta on the mound. The second inning would be Garcia’s last as manger Mike Matheny brought in Lance Lynn to pitch middle relief.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Randal Grichuk runs after hitting a solo home… Miguel Montero worked a walk.
With Hendricks due up, that proved to be important. I hope not. The other teams are really good.
After Starlin Castro’s leadoff single, second baseman Kolten Wong lost his grip while trying to turn a double play. Then Russell’s sacrifice scored Montero. This game was a must win.
Cards Moss talks before Game 2 of the NLDS St. Louis Cardinals Brandon Moss speaks to reporters before Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on October 10, 2015. Unearned runs? Sure, but runs on the scoreboard nonetheless. Dexter Fowler’s chopper over the mound added another run. The Cardinals have scored three or less runs in six of their last nine games. Jackson stole third. Garcia blamed himself.
“I don’t see that”, the manager told reporters when asked about his young lineup. You can’t throw a flawless game every time you go out there to pitch. I don’t like that idea.
That made him unfamiliar, but Maddon was ready.
Nothing’s ever easy in baseball, though. However, the Cardinals announced before the fifth inning of what was eventually a 6-3 loss to the Cubs that they took Garcia out because he was suffering from a stomach virus.
Hendricks allowed three homers in 4 2-3 innings. 210 average with runners in scoring position during the regular season and lived up to that stat in Game 1, retiring Chicago in all three of its at-bats in that situation…. Hector Rondon, briefly stuck in the bullpen bathroom during Game 1, earned his initial career postseason save.
That’s what allowing 43 baserunners and 21 runs over 24 innings in September will do.
The past includes two wins against Clayton Kershaw in last year’s playoffs, and a long history of postseason success. Umpires don’t like that much, and Bill Welke’s ball-and-strike calls were, in general, both good and consistent all evening.
But if the series ends with a Cubs victory, I will sit down, likely stunned, undoubtedly heartbroken, and I will smile. One of the outs, a sharp line drive by Rizzo caught by Carpenter, resulted in a video review.
The Cardinals also need to get better production from their key hitters.
“More so than anything else, I think it keeps our club from being overwhelmed by maybe all the noise that comes along with a matchup like this”.
The Cubs’ Kris Bryant hasn’t had a postseason to remember, but heading back to Wrigley Field may be just what the rookie needs to change his fortunes. Cubs fans wouldn’t do that.
If you can’t get enough of the Cardinals vs. Cubs rivalry, the Normal CornBelters are stepping to the plate to offer their own version.
“Listen, I can’t be more proud of our guys”, manager Joe Maddon said. Stadium employees were also efficient, professional and helpful. “I know obviously the grand total doesn’t show that, but that’s kind of the way I feel”.
Gonzalez smacked a two-run double to right field one batter later to give Los Angeles to a 4-2 lead. But it really is insane how much these storylines resemble each other.
The first 1,000 fans that purchase tickets for the game will get access to a special autograph session with the legends starting at 5 p.m. on the 16th.
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The Cardinals, who won Friday’s Game One 4-0, now face the prospect of taking on Cubs ace pitcher Jake Arrieta Monday.
