The Cubs didn't waste any hits
They are back in first place after beating the Mets with just three hits. Hey, it's all they needed.
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The Cubs had an efficient win last night in New York. Why waste any energy getting a hit through seven innings when you can just save them all up for the final few hitters and steal a 3-1 win?
The Cubs started a lineup that looked like they were daring Luis Severino to no-hit them from the jump.
Would you like an update on Ian Happ’s incredible performance batting third so far this year? Of course you do.
In 21 at bats he’s hitting .143/.250/.143 with three singles, two walks and nine strikeouts.
Why don’t they just give up and bat (I can’t believe I’m typing this) Mike Tauchman third until Cody Bellinger comes back and put Happ back at leadoff?
Well, they could do that, but it probably wouldn’t help. So far this year, Happ is hiting .197/.319/.279 in the first spot in the order and .194/.216/.278 when leading off an inning.
So what is he doing well, you ask? Well, he’s hitting .600 this year (3-for-5) when batting seventh. So maybe Craiggers should give that a whirl for an extended period of time?
Big Jimmy Taillon gave up a homer to Brandon Nimmo leading off the bottom of the first and then he basically shut down the Mets for the next seven and a third. He had a weird line. He allowed just four hits and a walk but he only struck out one batter. Both teams were in a big hurry to make outs, as Taillon threw just 78 pitches even while recording one out in the eighth. Severino completed the eighth and he only threw 101.
The Cubs tied the game in the top of the eighth when Michael Busch walked and Dansby Swanson got jammed and dumped a soft single over the shortstop. Matt Mervis nearly hit into a double play but he beat the throw and with Severino awkwardly squatting in front of the bag trying to take the relay throw, Mervis had to jump over his foot and his body hit Severino’s right arm. Severino shook it off, and he needed to gird up his loins to face pinch hitter Nick Madrigal with runners at the corners, one out and clinging to a one run lead.
