The Cubs suffered a bit of a mental breakdown in the eighth inning in an otherwise tight game in LA. Actually, the LA series had the aura of a playoff rehearsal. All the games were tight. The last two hinged on a couple of plays that might have gone either way. Additionally, both teams played somewhat nervous baseball.
Sunday's game was decided in the eighth inning when Cahill, with one out, and a runner at first, threw wildly to first base on a play that ordinarily, while difficult, is usually made. An intentional walk loaded the bases and brought in Edwards.
Edwards struck out Turner, then induced a weak grounder to Baez at third. With the slow-footed Gonzalez running and the infield in an exaggerated shift, Baez unaccountably made a force attempt at second instead of the sure out at first. The play was close at second. Looking at the replays, the runner could as easily have been called out, but the call stood and the ballgame was lost.
I suppose plays like that are inevitable when you play a lot of different defensive setups and a lot of personnel in different positions. It's also a testament to how good this team is that they might easily have won eight of the nine games but for a few bad breaks.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, which is kind of what everyone is doing although they will not admit it, I wonder if the Cubs have some issues to overcome in terms of the likely first round opponent. Barring a total collapse, the Cubs are going to finish with the best record in the NL and hence will play the Wild Card team. If one were to wager on the matter, that team is likely to be the Dodgers or the Giants. Either one is, I think, a more dangerous opponent in a short series than the Nationals would be in seven games for the championship.
In any case, lets hope they bounce back at home.
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