Saturday’s 2-Zero loss to the Brewers was the Cubs’ 135th sport of the yr. But it was additionally the ultimate date earlier than the calendar flips to September, when every little thing that’s damage the Cubs this season will likely be overcome or finish their hopes for an additional World Series.
Whatever occurs, the Cubs’ resilience will likely be examined much more. Most just lately, they recovered from a humbling house sweep by the Nationals by profitable three straight in New York. But in contrast to the latest previous, there hasn’t been a protracted sizzling streak this season.
At least not but.
“It’s been a dogfight for us all year, just as far as getting on a roll,” Anthony Rizzo mentioned. “There’s highs and lows. Hopefully we can go on a high for the next two months and not look back. But if another punch comes, we’ll be able to take it and keep going.”
September could be a reasonably good time for that subsequent roll.
The Cubs entered Saturday’s sport having gained 4 straight however nonetheless behind the Cardinals, who’re taking part in doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday. And if the Cubs are to get sizzling and win lots down the stretch, it’ll be within the division. They have 5 left with Milwaukee and 7 to go together with the Cardinals.
Across from the Cubs this weekend are these Brewers, who trailed by 5 video games as late as Sept. 2 final yr however swiped the division title. As Milwaukee confirmed – and the Cubs don’t want any reminders of – the final month can change every little thing.
Last season, Milwaukee went 19-7 in September to catch the Cubs, earlier than beating them in a tiebreaker to win the Central.
“It’s just if a team gets hot and things start clicking, and you get on that two-week stretch where we won a bunch of games in a row and somebody else struggles, that’s a wrap,” the Brewers’ Christian Yelich mentioned, “because there’s not enough time to make it up.”
The Cubs are anticipated to get Ben Zobrist again Sunday and prior to later Willson Contreras will return from his hamstring harm, with each bolstering roster. But the Cubs nonetheless need to deal with their enterprise, and on Saturday the offense didn’t.
Cole Hamels obtained off to a tricky begin within the first, permitting two runs and needing 31 pitches to get by means of the opening body. Ben Gamel began with a double, and following two walks, Manny Pina’s single gave the Brewers a 2-Zero lead.
Hamels recovered to throw six innings and permit simply these two runs. He got here into Saturday with a 9.56 ERA over his final 4 begins and had been battling his mechanics.
“When he came back (from the injured list Aug. 3), he had that one really good start and then after that just really kind of got off with his mechanics,” supervisor Joe Maddon mentioned. “He really did. He’s not the guy that goes out there and gets in trouble by his thoughts. He gets in trouble because he truly is out of sync physically.”
Zach Davies threw four 2/three scoreless innings and was changed by Matt Albers with Hamels on second. Albers obtained Nicholas Castellanos to fly to proper to finish the inning.
The Cubs threatened within the sixth when Rizzo and Javy Baez had one-out singles. Kyle Schwarber was known as out trying, and Drew Pomeranz then walked Victor Caratini to load the bases. Junior Guerra changed Pomeranz, and obtained Addison Russell to floor out and strand three runners.