OSS: Cubs offense wakes up with a little help from the Dbacks defense

Three up:

1. Miguel Amaya had the Cubs biggest hit of the day with a three run double that blew the game open for the Cubs in the fifth inning. He got a bit of help from the Steel Gloved Dbacks center fielder. Amaya had a solid game overall, going 2-5 with 5 RsBI. If last year’s second half improvement truly wasn’t a mirage and the catching position is no longer a black hole for the Cubs, that could go a loooong way
2. Ian Happ was the overall WPA winner on the day thanks to a two-run, go-ahead double in the second inning as well as a solo shot in his next PA.
3. The Cubs did a great job overall working counts in this game, especially when Zack Gallen lost the strike zone early. He should have walked the bases loaded ahead of Happ’s double, but this ump’s zone was a trip.

Three down:

1. I’m already bitching about strike zones, baseball is back! Get here soon please, ABS.
2. Steele didn’t look particularly sharp today but the Cubs offense was more than enough to paper things over and give him his first W. It was definitely a step up from his first start last year 😬
3. Nate Pearson was a mess coming in for Steele in the sixth, loading the bases with two walks and a HBP before escaping the inning with ‘only’ two sac flies.

Next up: Jameson Taillon takes on Merrill Kelly at 8:40 PM CT, with yours truly in attendance. Let’s get a streak going, fellas.