Before I unpack everything about the Cubs’ 2-1 loss to the Cardinals Friday night, I want to call your attention to one pitch in the 10th inning.
Specifically, pitch 6 in this sequence:
That’s a strike. No question about it. And yet, plate umpire Laz Diaz called it ball four to Harrison Bader. Dillon Maples’ sliders have quite a bit of movement on them, and that one fooled Diaz.
If Diaz makes the correct call, that’s the second out of the inning and there’s just one runner on second base.