The formula for winning during this recent hot stretch for the Cubs has been strong pitching and just enough hitting. So when Cubs starter Drew Smyly got knocked around a bit early, you had to at least suspect this one was going in the wrong direction. This Cubs team doesn’t have the kind of thunder that makes you think too long about coming from behind down five runs on the road. That said, a late rally made it unfortunate that they fell behind by five runs.
It’s always a trap to assume sequencing would stay the same, but the Cubs did plate four runs.