The final score of NLDS Game Four doesn’t look so bad on paper, but the Chicago Cubs’ victory over the St. Louis Cardinals looked a lot worse for the Cardinals in person. And on TV. And even on the MLB.com Gameday statcast.
Desperation was in the air long before first pitch, when Cardinals manager Mike Matheny decided to start a 36-year old John Lackey on short rest. The righthander gave up four earned runs on four hits and a walk in three innings of feast-or-famine work. Lackey also struck out five.
After Adam Wainwright was his usual stellar self for an inning of work, Kevin Seigrist came in and picked up right where he left off from Game Three.