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Duane Pesice writes the Cub Tracks and Baseball history unpacked features and works as a writer and editor of weird fiction. He has eleven books under his byline.
The Cubs had a few too many pitchers and will have to regroup.
“It’s not like ‘Couns’ has exotic blitz packages or has a good play-action pass game or anything like that that’s going to make it difficult on us. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s great at what he does. But we’re not going to worry about the two-high safety look from Couns.” — Christian Yelich.
Michael Busch got the Cubs off to an early start with his 34th home run of the year [VIDEO], nut Nico Hoerner’s rare error opened the floodgates and Michael Soroka had to be summoned with the Brewers up 4-1. It didn’t get better. 6-1 after the first. 9-1 by the time Ian Happ added a second homer and run [VIDEO], which chased Peralta. Aaron Civale had been in for a while by then. He did a great job quieting things down. Nico Hoerner capped things off with a solo homer [VIDEO].
Ben Brown got some time in, too.
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Pregame:
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): In Milwaukee, where connections endure, even family enjoys booing Craig Counsell. (brother-in-law) “McClone spoke up: “I didn’t fly all the way from London to go to the Brewers-Cubs game and miss Craig getting booed!”“
- Will Leitch (MLB.com*): Top storylines for a jam-packed Division Series Game 1 slate. “The Brewers have enjoyed their best season in franchise history. But a Game 1 loss would make that all feel awfully precarious…“ ESPN* has more.
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs unveil NL Division Series 26-man roster vs. Milwaukee Brewers. “The team made one swap in the pitching staff, adding right-hander Ben Brown and dropping left-hander Taylor Rogers.“ Jordan Bastian* has more.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs rookie Horton to miss NLDS with rib injury. “Counsell noted that Horton has been playing catch, but he has not yet been pushed beyond throwing on flat ground.“
- Tyler Koerth (Reviewing the Brew*): The state of the Cubs’ bullpen ahead of their NLDS matchup with the Brewers. “Craig Counsell has fatigue to consider when making his bullpen decisions in Game 1 of the NLDS.”
- Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs watchers graded Craig Counsell on his season performance; here’s what he got. “His use of the bullpen is giving me ulcers,” one respondent commented.
Postgame:
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs will try to keep proper perspective after blowout Game 1 loss: ‘One won’t kill ya’. “Even it up in the next one,” Ian Happ said.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs can’t recover after Boyd’s short start on short rest in Game 1. “You always want the ball. You always want the opportunity,” Boyd said. “But they came out with a plan today and I made a few mistakes early.” Jesse Rogers* has the rest.
- Lamond Pope (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs Game 1 notebook: Aaron Civale saves the bullpen with effective relief outing in loss. “Just trying to stay calm out there and attack,” Civale said.
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs Takeaways: What we learned in crushing Game 1 loss vs. Brewers. “A defensive gaffe by one of their premier defenders cost them an out and probably cost them a chance of ever getting back into Saturday’s contest.” The Athletic {$} has more. Tony Andracki reports.
- James Neveau (NBC Sports Chicago*): Jackson Chourio sets MLB record, leaves Cubs vs. Brewers game with injury. “The Brewers updated fans during the game on Chourio, announcing he was dealing with right hamstring tightness, and that he’ll be re-evaluated after Saturday’s game.”
Food for thought:
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