The Hangover Game: Milwaukee Brewers 11, Chicago Cubs 3

The Chicago Cubs (94-54) sure did party hard yesterday, didn’t they? Quite the blast was had by all and I’d like to think that had something to do with the outcome of the game today. I’d love to call it the ‘hangover game’ but, in reality, the Brewers just played a solid game. The Cubs took an early 3-0 lead but couldn’t overcome Ryan Braun’s monster day and the Brewers go on to win this one, big (Box Score).

When the Cubs put three runs on the board within the first five pitches by Brewers’ Zach Davies, it looked like the blowout was on. Davies responded by striking out the following three batters. The Cubs had a runner on second in each of the fourth through seventh innings but could not convert.

Jake Arrieta (17-7, 2.96 ERA) was good but had difficulty with his command. It’s something that we’ve seen develop as the season has gone on, after seeing him completely dominate the first two months of the season with a 1.32 ERA through May. He struggled today in the fourth and the sixth innings, where he’d give up four runs, including the first of two home runs for Ryan Braun, who just killed the Cubs today with five RBI.

Stats that matter

• Jake was the marginal version of himself – 6.0IP, 4R, 4H, 4BB, 5Ks, HR, 102 pitches
• CJ Edwards had a rough day as well – 3R, 3H, 3Ks, 2HR
• Coghlan’s home run in the first was great to see and had me thinking blowout…for the Cubs – 1-for-4, 1R, 2RBI, HR

Bottom line

Say what you will, I still think it’s fun to call this the ‘hangover game.’ I can only imagine how difficult it really must be after having such an explosive day like they did yesterday. No excuses, just sayin’, yesterday was a big day. But, hey…it’s baseball and baseball’s a hard sport.

Next up

The Cubs will finish out the four-game set against the Brewers on Sunday at 1:20 PM CT. Kyle Hendricks (15-7, 2.03 ERA) takes the ball for the Cubs as they try to walk away with the series split.