The Managers won and lost the series for their teams
The Brewers and Cubs were out second Game 5 during the Divisional Series, and I was expecting another great matchup. I was hoping for a different storyline, one that didn’t include 15 innings because boy am I tired. Let’s see what happened!
When I was looking at the starting lineups today, the only things that surprised me were the pitchers. Trevor Megill starting for the Brewer despite having 30 saves this season was a little surprising. Meanwhile, the Cubs started Drew Pomeranz who has experience as a starter, but was used primarily as a reliever this season. Yesterday’s article was about the importance of the starting pitcher, and today, was all about the bullpens. Megill threw a scoreless first, but Pomeranz gave up a home run to William Contreras to go down 1-0. Seiya Suzuki tied the game up in the second with a home run of his own off of Jacob Misiorowski, who’s only mistake on the day was that one hit. In fact, that was the only mistake by the Brewers today. The Brew Crew was fantastic today, giving up 1 earned run on 4 hits and striking out 8.
The Cubs gave up 3 solo home runs in this game to the Brewers, but that’s not what caused them to lose. Manager Pat Murphy for the Brewers made very minimal mistakes this series. His game today was very good. I questioned bringing in Aaron Ashby as the Cubs had roughed him up this postseason already, but it worked out. Another treatment to Pat Murphy was not bringing in closer Abner Uribe too early. Uribe threw 3 hitless innings against the Cubs in this series. As good as I can talk about Pat Murphy, I can also talk poorly about Craig Counsell for the Cubs.
I have an issue with the way the Cubs performed this postseason. Their hitting for horrible for the better part of the postseason, the team didn’t look energetic, and honestly, so did the coaching staff. Craig Counsell could be seen sitting down on the dugout steps at times or with his hands in his face as if he were wondering about what his team was doing. I can imagine the fans were doing the same thing. Why Drew Pomeranz started this game is a mystery to most people. Aaron Civale and Colin Rea looked great against the Brewers. Shota Imanaga while not the greatest option here was one of your top starters all year long. Matthew Boyd had a sloppy start but was given another opportunity and did well with it. Pomeranz should not have been starting this game.
One of the biggest decisions of this game was in the top of the 6th inning. Michael Buschand Nico Hoerner got on base, leading to runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. The Cubs at this point were down by 1 run. Kyle Tucker needs to bunt here. I do not care what your name is, I don’t care how much money you expect to make… if your team needs a run… you bunt with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Instead, Tucker strikes out, Seiya Suzuki flies out, and then Ian Happ strikes out, too.
If I’m a Chicago Cubs fan, I need to be thinking about why the front office is making decisions the way they are. I’d consider boycotting going to games. They did NOTHING at the trade deadline to make this team better. If you don’t have a Game 5 starter because your guys got hurt, you needed to go out and get more arms. This year the market for starters was big. The Cubs have no excuses for why they didn’t. It’s inexcusable. Jed Hoyer needs to be relieved of his duties.
Final Thoughts
The Brewers were the better team in this series, but playing wise and coaching wise. Pat Murphy did a great job leading his team and his players did a great job executing. That’s what happens when your front office and your coaching staff works together to build a successful team. You get good results. Chicago Cubs take notes. We see the Brewers take on the Dodgers starting Monday night. I’ll be here again for every pitch.
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