They always say that when pitchers arrive at Wrigley Field to play the Chicago Cubs, they look up at the flags. Yesterday was a day when you might consider a stomach bug before taking the mound. With Yu Darvish and the Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Mahle starting, minimizing mistakes (read as walks) was going to be the story of the day.
Before the game, Joe Maddon was clear. He was going to stick with Darvish as long as possible. Tim Collins and Dillon Maples got the call before the game to help a bullpen that was overworked in the past few games.