Cubs 42-40 (high water mark for the year – 5.5/5)
Nationals 33-50
POTG: Z! (6.2 IP, 3 H, R, 4 BB, 8 K, W [10/74]; H)
Runner Up: RP Carlos Marmol (1.1 IP, H, 0 R, 2 K), LF Soriano (2 H, 2 R, SB), SS Ryan Theriot (2 H, RBI), RF Cliff Floyd (H, 2 RBI)
The Nationals were never down by much, but it never really felt close. Even with runners on, this game never seemed in danger. It was over 3. The Nationals have seemed to have really limited offense, and guys like Marmol are dealing.
This was one of those starts where Z pitched him self out of the game a few batters sooner than anyone would like. Still, good enough numbers, lots of strikeouts. It’s just more walks than he’d like. At a 4.04 ERA, he slip into the 3s with another good start, and he’s got a decent chance at 20. He’s still can live up to his preseason predictions.
Cubs have seemed to stop picking up games on the Wild Card lead at the moment, but have managed to pass some teams. There’s a log jam around 5 and 6 games, and it’d be helpful to extract themselves from that and move to 3-4 out.
This quick turnaround may kill both teams. I know it’s killing me.
It didn’t kill the Nats today (or least Da Meat Hook).
First Nats game I’ve watched in weeks (admittedly while also napping on the couch).