Chicago Cubs News: Cubs take 2-1 lead over Nationals in NLDS

 For a few innings, it was a lonely place for the Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber. With Max Scherzer on the mound with a no-hitter going into the seventh, things didn’t look good.

There wasn’t a single person on the Chicago Cubs more excited than Kyle Schwarber for Albert Almora‘s first career postseason hit. After Ben Zobrist doubled to break up the no-hitter, Almora singled up the middle to score Zobrist and tie the game at 1-1. Then in the bottom of the eighth with a base open, Dusty Baker opted to pitch to Anthony Rizzo. Bad idea, but we’re all aware of Baker’s less than ideal decision making.

In hindsight, the Nationals should have walked Rizzo. But that’s easy to say. They got a pop-up out of him. It was just a well-placed pop up that dropped in for the game-winning RBI. And once Wade Davis made his way into the game, it was pretty much over for the Nationals. The Cubs will go for the clinch today, with a chance to set up a rematch from last year’s NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cubs opted to go with a heavily left-handed lineup on Monday. While I don’t think anyone would have been upset to see Ian Happ over Zobrist, it turned out to be the right call. Zobrist had five hits in his career against Max Scherzer, three of them being home runs. And when they needed the hit the most, there was Zobrist. It’s not been a great year for the veteran, but he’s making his at-bat’s count when they’re needed.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Cubs pull off improbable Game 3 win’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Left heavy lineup in Game 3’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Dodgers advance to NLCS’ – The Dodgers Way

‘Severino get redemption, forces Game 5 with Tribe’ – MLB.com

‘Astros clinch, head to the ALCS’ – MLB.com

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