Chicago Cubs tend to hit the best, struggle against no-names

How many times have we seen it as Chicago Cubs fans? A no-name, new pitcher comes up to face the Cubs and shuts us out. Then we turn around and batter their best pitcher. It happened again.

When you saw the pitching match-up for last night’s game, you would have bet the under, too. The Chicago Cubs’ Jon Lester and the Chicago White Sox Lucas Giolito were to face-off, the latter bringing the best ERA in the American League into Wrigley. And Lester is, well, Lester. And with the wind blowing in from left field? Almost a sure bet. Until it wasn’t.

The two teams combined for five home runs as Lester survived and got the win in 5 2/3 innings. And he worked for it, too, throwing 114 pitches in less than six innings of work. But the impressive work was done on offense, as the Cubs chased Giolito from the game in 4 1/3 innings after allowing three home runs and six earned runs.

Giolito had come in the winner of eight-straight and led the AL in ERA. It only jumped to 2.74, which is still good for fifth in the AL. But with the way the Cubs had been swinging the bats, it wasn’t promising to see him coming into town.

I don’t know the records, and it would be difficult to find them as some would be opinion to the fact. But the Cubs, when facing a pitcher up for the first time, or their first time facing him, tend to struggle. But over the years, I’ve seen them beat some of the best the NL has to offer. I can’t explain it. I’ll have to do some digging to find the numbers I’m looking for, but another time.

In short, it was the Willson Contreras show. He launched a grand slam in the first, hit another home run later, and fired a strike to Kris Bryant to nab Tim Anderson trying to steal third. He even threw in a walk, for good measure. The Chicago Cubs did most of their damage with the long ball again (David Bote had a solo shot), and the only run other that they scored was on a double by Kyle Schwarber that scored Addison Russell from first.

But when you win 7-3, it becomes less of an issue. When you lose 5-4, but all your runs come from home runs? Everyone complains. You can’t have it both ways, folks. This is the team they have. They don’t steal bases, they hit home runs, and they play good defense.

A split at Wrigley wasn’t ideal, as no one has bragging rights until the head to the Southside of town for the second two-game set.