The Chicago Cubs returned to Wrigley Field on Tuesday, looking to regain their momentum after a disappointing June in which they went 13-13 and lost seven of their last 11 games. They achieved exactly what they needed with a strong performance that resulted in a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of a three-game series, under perfect weather conditions at the historic ballpark.
Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd successfully navigated early traffic in the first two innings, striking out key players, including José Ramirez on a 96 mph fastball. The Cubs quickly went to work on offense, with Pete Crow-Armstrong leading off with a positive single to left field, signaling a hopeful recovery for him. Following that, Dansby Swanson advanced him to third, and both scored on Carson Kelly’s double, putting the Cubs ahead 3-0 in the first inning.
However, the inning also featured an unusual and unfortunate sequence known as an Immaculate TOOTBLAN (Thrown Out On The Basepaths Like A Nincompoop). The Cubs saw three quick outs in succession due to base-running errors, which was notable given their historical struggles with pickoffs in recent games.
Despite the blunders, the Cubs maintained their lead until the fifth inning when Boyd allowed two runs, narrowing the score to 3-2. Notably, Boyd ended the game having pitched seven innings, with two earned runs and five strikeouts. In a key moment, Seiya Suzuki added to the Cubs’ lead with his 23rd home run of the season, keeping him on track for an impressive potential total of 40 home runs this year.
The Cubs solidified their win by scoring two more runs later in the game, including an insurance run that brought the score to 5-2. Daniel Palencia closed the game effectively, earning his ninth save. Notably, the Cubs have now reached 50 wins by the earliest date since 1901, alongside historic winning seasons.
With the Brewers sidelined by rain, the Cubs expanded their lead in the NL Central to 2½ games. They also enjoyed favorable outcomes in other games, boosting their position in the standings. Looking ahead, the Cubs aim for a consecutive win against the Guardians on Wednesday night, with Shōta Imanaga set to take the mound for Chicago.
This game not only marks a rebound for the Cubs but also showcases their potential for a successful season, reminiscent of their past World Series-winning years. The performance reinforces their competitive edge as they move forward, and a continued focus on minimizing base-running mistakes could see them capitalize further on their recent victories.