The Chicago Cubs may find the friendly confines of Wrigley Field extra welcoming after their nightmarish first two games in Milwaukee.
The Cubs are staring the end of their season unless they can rebound and win Game 3 of the NLDS against the NL Central-rival Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cubs were outscored 16-6 in their two losses at American Family Field. Chicago was outscored 9-0 in the first two innings of its 9-3 loss in Game 1. It was then was held to just five baserunners — two hits and three walks — after Seiya Suzuki gave them a 3-0 edge in the first inning of Game 2.
Chicago Cubs To Send Veteran To The Mound For Game 3
Elimination games are often an all-hands-on-deck affair, which could be especially true since the Cubs have gotten just 10 outs from starters Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga over the first two games.
But Jameson Taillon (11-7, 3.68 ERA) will get the ball for the Cubs in Game 3 on five days’ rest. Taillon threw four innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres, helping clinch their berth in the NLDS.
Taillon is 0-1 in three appearances, and two starts, in the postseason over his nine-season big-league career. His lone decision came in relief in Game 2 of the 2022 ALDS when he allowed two runs on three hits in the New York Yankees‘ 4-2 defeat against the Cleveland Guardians.
Yet, as 8 1/3 innings as a starter in the postseason, Taillon has allowed just one run on six hits, including his 14-batters-faced outing while facing elimination at home against the Padres. He kept his cool amid the increased angst and intends to do the same Wednesday.
âIf youâre emotional about it, thatâs not going to help anything,â Taillon said, according to The Athletic. âItâs, âWhat can we do to win a game today?â
That outing set the table for Andrew Kittredge and the Cubs bullpen to shut the door on San Diego.
Spotlight Shines On Cubs’ Silent Offense
Much of the talk after the game was about Jacob Misiorowski’s dominant three-scoreless-inning relief performance that silenced the Cubs and enabled the Brewers to pull ahead 7-3.
Misiorowski did what he has all season by missing bats. He got six swings and misses on his 57-pitch performance, and the Cubs managed just one line drive against the rookie in 14 batters faced — Nico Hoerner’s leadoff single in the fifth inning.
âThe first two innings we did a nice job,â Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. âWe had two at-bats with runners in scoring position today. Thatâs a pretty good sign that weâre not creating enough pressure. Thatâs gonna add up to a lot of zeroes.â
Chicago has just a .599 OPS over the two games, which is a big reason why it is in the hole. Yet, according to starting left fielder Ian Happ, the Cubs simply need to win a home game Wednesday and go from there.
âYou have to take it one game at a time,â Happ said. âYou canât look at it as this daunting three games. You have to take it as win tomorrow. Thatâs the only thing that we can do as a group, is just win on Wednesday and go on.â
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