October 11, 2017
Wrigley Field – Chicago, Illinois
My Friend Trevor (photos are from opening day)
Results
Final Score: Nationals 5, Cubs 0
Tough game in the rain. I thought the Cubs would close this game out and move on to the next round. I was wrong.
The Game
This photo was actually from the right game! It shows how the entire game was, very rainy. The MLB did a poor job with this one. They could have played the game the day before in the afternoon but did not move the game time. “Rumor” has it that TBS didn’t want to change the TV schedule, they denied it. The reason that is hard to believe is because they said “moving the game to the afternoon never came up.” How could it not come up? It was obvious to my new born niece that can’t even speak. I am calling them “Liars” and determining it was because of ratings.
The game itself was a pitching duel until Michael Taylor hit a grand slam in the 8th inning off of Wade Davis. The ball landed into the net just in front of the stands in right field. If that ball was hit 10 minutes earlier it would have been caught. The timing couldn’t have been worse for the Cubs as it was just when the rain and wind slowed down enough for the ball to get out.
Jake Arrieta didn’t pitch too bad but did take the loss. He only went 4 innings and the only run he gave up was on a two out error by Addison Russell. Jon Lester dominated in 3.2 innings, he even picked a guy off (more on that below). I question the decision to go to the bullpen with one out in the 8th. Carl Edwards Jr. came in and walked two guys and then Wade Davis gave up the grand slam. Hindsight is 20-20 but both my friend Trevor and I said why are you taking Lester out when it happened.
As for the Nationals, Stephen Strasburg dominated the Cubs, He went 7 innings, struck out 12 and only allowed 5 total base runners (3 hits and 2 walks). The only reason he started was the debacle with the schedule, which made this a higher rated game and has now caused a game 5 to be played (let me point you above where I mentioned ratings). The only real offense was the grand slam by Michael Taylor in the 8th inning.
The Stadium
Overall Rating: A
The remodeling Wrigley field certainly has a lot more amenities and seating, but they kept the old feeling. The bad part about that are longer restroom lines and longer concession lines. Also, there are still many seats with obstructed views.
However, it is Wrigley and a great ballpark to watch the game in a great area in Chicago, so it gets an A!
Love, Hate, Shout Out
Love: Playoff baseball. Nothing like a playoff game in October that ends up being back and forth pitching duel.
Hate: Decisions made by money by people that are already rich. Listen, I said my peace about the game not being changed and then rescheduled, but my biggest issue is the people making the decisions here. Why did we leave it up to TBS anyway? (allegedly they didn’t) If they did, the MLB should have had the power to say, we are doing it anyway. The money doesn’t matter any more, these people are greedy.
Shout Out: Jon Lester’s pick off. Wow! He did it! Yes, that’s right Jon Lester picked a guy off. It was a snap throw too and Anthony Rizzo applied the tag beautifully. I have to imagine they practiced this and just held off until the right time. Rizzo went over to Lester before and had a brief conversation, I bet he said something along the lines of, “You know what we practiced, just throw it as hard as you can, I’ll stop it if its off.” And to Ryan Zimmerman, where are you going dude? Jokes on you. Great job Lester!
Fan Tips
If you ever have the chance do to Wrigley. Summers are really nice in Chicago.