Cubs News: Anthony Rizzo homers, Andrew Chafin blows it

The Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run home run in the eighth to tie the game up. He then got to see Andrew Chafin blow it in the ninth. Still, they made the postseason. So, yay?

The Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to tie the game with the Pittsburgh Pirates at 2-2. Then, an inning later, he watched Andrew Chafin serve it up to Jacob Stallings for a 3-2 loss. Granted, they still made the playoffs–but time will tell if they have anything there.

Chafin had one bad game in him after two relief appearances. That sort of performance would get him sent down to the minors–or the alternate site–and it might.

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Still, five hits for the team does not a pretty thing make. Rizzo had two of the five hits, with Cameron Maybin, Willson Contreras and David Bote having the last three.

They are on a cold streak, minus the pitching. Aside from Chafin, the starting rotation and the bullpen have been pretty solid.

And I’m not saying Chafin needs to go down. But one or two more of those and he should. I’m just saying.

With five games left, they need to break out of this slump on offense. David Ross uses a plethora of ideas including lineup segment, inning, situation and more to get his ‘ideal’ closer.

Also, one of the standouts was Ian Happ. He has a BB% of 13.8%, with a K% of 27.5%. While he’s hitting .258, he’s been solid with a wOBA of .376 and a wRC+ of 135–the highest of his career.

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They need to figure this out in the last five games. They have three games against the Wild Card opponent–to be determined–and they need to get by to make it to the LDS. I pray they don’t get the Reds. That’s all I’m saying.

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