The Chicago Cubs found themselves within striking distance of the NL Wild Card following the Chicago White Sox series. However, this Cleveland series has things looking murky once again. A 9-8 loss on Monday and a 2-1 loss on Tuesday set the Cubs up with a series loss to thes. Cleveland Guardian
With Jameson Taillon on the bump, the Cubs were looking for different results in the series finale on Wednesday.
Tale of the Tape
Just like Tuesday’s game, the Cubs were the first to score in Cleveland. In the top of the fourth inning, Seiya Suzuki clubbed a triple into the gap in left-center field. Right after, Cody Bellinger brought him in with a sacrifice fly, giving the Cubs the 1-0 lead.
Sadly, that was all she wrote for the Cubs offense. The Cubs had two runners in scoring position the remainder of the game and failed to drive them home.
As for Cleveland, they responded in the bottom of the fourth. A Josh Naylor double scored Jose Ramirez, who walked to lead off the inning. With the game tied, the Guardians kept the pedal on the metal. Andres Gimenez singled to score Naylor, giving the Guardians a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, a Steven Kwan single and a Will Brennan triple added up for the Guardians’ third run. Then, a Ramirez groundout scored Brennan from third, giving Cleveland a 4-1 lead.
Just when the Cubs thought they were within striking distance, they weren’t. In the bottom of the eighth, a Ramirez walk and steal, coupled with Lane Thomas being hit by a pitch, set up Gimenez for a two-RBI double. The 6-1 lead was all the Guardians needed as Scott Barlow finished off the game for Cleveland.
Jameson Taillon was really good his first time through the order, but was roughed up after. Similar to his start against the White Sox, Taillon yielded more than three earned runs, finishing the day with four earned through 6.0 innings. Five hits and two walks compared to six strikeouts isn’t an awful day, but two innings of multiple runs hurt the Cubs in the end.
What Are the Odds?
The Cubs aren’t looking so hot in the standings right now. As of an update on Friday morning, the Cubs are currently 5.5 games out of the NL Wild Card entering their series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Unless the Cubs make it a habit of winnings series through the end of the month, September could be more about prepping young players for 2025 than it is gunning for a playoff spot.
What’s On Tap Next?
The Cubs open a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. The opening matchup will feature Kyle Hendricks for the Cubs and Yariel Rodriguez for the Blue Jays. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CDT on Apple TV.
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