After a tough start to the season against the Texas Rangers, the Chicago Cubs have looked like a completely different team these last three days. They won the finale in Arlington, which was an awakening for their offense. Now, they enter their third and final game in the series against the Colorado Rockies with a chance to sweep.
The homestand started with an incredible and historic performance by Shota Imanana. He shut down the Rockies in six innings with nine strikeouts and didn’t walk one batter. Last night, Javier Assad went six innings of shutout baseball himself.
But the story of the night last night was the Cubs’ bats. They launched four home runs as part of their 14 hits and 12 runs that massacred the Rockies. Nick Madrigal also had a highlight reel play that should enter him into a conversation to play third base much more often.
Tonight, the Cubs will go for the sweep as they look to build momentum before the Los Angeles Dodgers come to town. Due to the injuries to Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon, the rotation does not look like Craig Counsell intended when they broke camp. Steele’s second scheduled start would have been today, but it will look much different than expected. Unconventional, even.
Luke Little To Start, Ben Brown Expected To Pitch In Bullpen Day For Cubs
Luke Little was the one who ended the game on Tuesday night for the Cubs. It was not a save opportunity, but he held the ten-run lead to officially take down the Rockies and send fans home happy. The Cubs announced after the game that he would pick up right where he left off and start the game for the Cubs on Wednesday night.
After Little starts, rookie Ben Brown is expected to pitch some innings in “relief” for the Cubs. This will be his first career outing in front of the home fans at Wrigley Field. Brown made his major league debut on Saturday in Arlington. A couple of errors and misplays opened the floodgates for the defending champions. The Rangers jumped all over him in his second inning of work. He’ll look to bounce back against a less intimidating Rockies lineup.
It is supposed to snow on and off all day in Chicago today. If you’re headed to Wrigley Field tonight, layer up and expect the worst forecast. But enjoy a night of baseball at the Federal Landmark. Hopefully, the Cubs’ bats will stay hot and keep everyone warm. Temperatures should be slightly more favorable when the Dodgers come to town this weekend.
