Sweep

The Cubs secured a series sweep Wednesday night, staggering into an agonizing 6-5 win that featured some less than stellar performances by Chapman and the challenged back end of the bullpen.  Wood, in particular, looks gassed after what seems like several hundred appearances.  If the Cubs had to rely on the current lot of bullpen arms, they might be in big trouble, but they are likely to get Rondon back soon and Strop by mid-September.

Hammel looked better last night than he did in Colorado and LA.  He did, however manage to pitch himself into trouble in the 5th.  Hammel always seems to give opponents a shot in the middle innings.  Maybe that's when he starts over-thinking.  Last night he managed to walk a bunch of Pirates despite the umpire's mile-wide strike zone.  He got away relatively unscathed, but he did cost the bullpen an extra inning of work which ultimately made the came a nearer thing than it should have been.

That being said, the Pirates look like a team that has lost its bearings and knows it.  Marte and McCutcheon seem to be endlessly amused by being outplayed and emarrassed at the plate and in the field.  I especially noticed the Pirates seem to always align their outfield defense shallow and pilled around to left field.  This led to taking bad angles to several balls and having a number of hits go over their heads.

As for the Tuesday game, this one was all about Hendricks who continues his impressive season.  This guy knows how to pitch.

The Giants come in tonight for four games.  Should be an interesting series and possible post-season preview.  Smart money would look for a split inasmuch as the Giants are playing for survival.  After the SF series, the Cubs can look to coasting home to October against a set of mostly also-rans and non-contenders save for St. Louis.