In his last start, the Chicago Cubs’ hurler wasn’t his usual self.
That’s not to say he wasn’t effective; he pitched into the sixth, striking out nine and allowing four earned runs in a game Chicago eventually won by an 8-6 final. But he, and Cubs Nation, knew he wasn’t in the same form we saw in the Wild Card Game earlier this month.
Now, that’s all behind the Cy Young candidate, who won 22 games while tossing four complete games and three shutouts – all of which led the league. He’s working on an extra day’s rest and is recharged for Sunday night’s Game 2 showdown with the New York Mets at Citi Field.