The Cubs lost what should have been a winnable game last night because they more or less waved a white flag days in advance. They came into the game with a 9-0 record in August when scoring five or more runs, and they had a 79-44 run-scoring margin in those contests. But when your starter gives up seven runs on eight hits and three walks over less than four innings, well, it’s pretty tough to win.
Drew Smyly had been relegated to the bullpen following an implosion against the Mets two weeks ago, but the Cubs felt maybe he’d recaptured his form in three scoreless innings of relief.