Cub Tracks thinks it was genius to have ostensible closer Daniel Palencia bollix the middle of the Padres’ lineup and let the rest of the crew lock it down. A Counsell pen needs to be awake as anyone can pitch at any time. CC has reasons for what he does but it looks like Don Zimmer playing hunches.

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Key to the ball game from where I sit. Right after taking the lead, keep that mojo workin’. Jon Greenberg says momentum is a real thing {$} but didn’t understand what CC did with the young flamethrower. That was not a demotion, Jon.

Game two featured bullpen stalwart Andrew Kittredge getting the start, facing the redoubtable Dylan Cease, who may not be what he was but is still pretty damn good. He certainly mystified the Cubs.

The Padres posted a run against Kittredge but that was it. Shota came on when expected. That one run was the only run until Manny Machado whomped a two-run job in the fifth. By then Cease was out of the game and the superlative San Diego bullpen had taken over.

Can’t score if you don’t hit or walk. Hilariously, articles about the final were showing up in the eighth inning. Here are the details on the time and TV channel. Yu know who against Jameson Taillon.

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