Monday, August 1, 2016

Never Turn off a game...

Yesterday was just a normal day. I was happy that my North Side boys were playing on ESPN, for that would give me ample time to complete the chores/tasks I had on my plate for the day. I may be a little old fashioned, but there is nothing better than a contending Cubs team getting some National TV spotlight. (Side Note: How great is Jessica Mendoza???)

Let's be honest: not the picture perfect start to the game. I was excited for the untapped potential that could have been in Matusz' tank, having delusional fever dreams of a quasi-Arrieta like turnaround (Befor you judge me; I did say delusional).  There was a short time where Matusz was a great left handed bullpen option for the Orioles. Not last night. The breaking ball was flat at times, and a straight 4 seam fastball was finding too much of the zone. 

I know there are a lot of Cubs fans who wonder why Matusz pitched at all. In a long season, amassing healthy arms is not a bad idea. Being able to call up a guy from time to time to give an extra day to the staff is a nice luxury. (Ironically, that game ended up taxing the bullpen...)

Three 2-run Homeruns. Three. By the third. It looked quite bleak. The Cubs offense was on pace to leave another small village on the base paths (Bob Uecker, Major League). I started my usual self-negotiating, pleading to the baseball gods for a chance at a comeback. 

Then 2-runs on walks. Then another.

6-3. I began to day dream of a defining -moment win, lining up the pieces in my brain on how that would happen. 

Usually it goes something like this:

Ok who's up?
Dexter.
So if he get's on, then we have KB.
I would love a KB bomb, but then we are chasing 1 still.

WAIT. KB can get on for Rizzo. 

The usual suspects end up in these conversations/elvaluations, because, well, they are 2 legitimate NL MVP candidates and it would make the most sense that they would have a say in this game.

Instead, I got to witness:

1.) Travis Wood pitch
2.) Travis Wood play LF (And make a great catch)
3.) Travis Wood come back in to pitch.
4.) 5th run scored due to Wison Contreras beating out a routine Double Play.
5.) The tying run score on a 0-2, 2 out, Bottom 9th wild pitch!
6.) Rondon do his thing for 2 innings on a day he wasn't going to pitch
6.) Jason Heyward lead off double
7.) JON LESTER WALK OFF SQUEEZE?!?!?!

As we have learned, Joe Maddon is a maestro with a lineup card, and we watched a team that gives it there all for a man that instills belief and confidence into a team he can expertly maneuver. Last night was the glory of the NL, Joe's 5th Symphony. 

Notice, I didn't say it is his 9th. For I trust Joe will have his turn at this on the ultimate stage that could end the ultimate drought. 

Baseball is fun. Baseball is great. And baseball should never be turned off. 


 



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