KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chicago Cubs' grind through 17 consecutive games without an off day ended on a high note.
The offense broke out against Kansas City Royals starter Randy Dobnak and the bullpen, and left-hander Matthew Boyd allowed just two runs over seven innings in a 10-2 victory to secure the series victory. The Cubs (69-50) enter Monday's off day — their first since July 23 — with a 12-5 mark over the 17-game stretch.
The lack of off days required manager Craig Counsell to find ways to build in rest for their regulars. That meant Pete Crow-Armstrong was the designated hitter for a second consecutive game and the third time in five games as Counsell attempted to "recharge some batteries the best I can right now."
The Cubs' series win keeps them rolling. Their 35-16 (.686) mark since June 11 is second-best in the big leagues during that span behind the Boston Red Sox — after the Cubs had posted a majors-worst 7-22 stretch prior to this run.
"Our starters have performed exceptionally well, and that's been the key to this thing," Counsell said of playing 17 straight. "You don't survive it without good starting pitching, and the number of quality starts, whether it be length or lack of runs given up, it's been impressive for sure, and it's got us through this, and it's helped us win games. Because the length the starter is able to give you contributes to what happens the next day in the bullpen, and they've done a heck of a job."
#kansas #city #bullpen #runs
The offense broke out against Kansas City Royals starter Randy Dobnak and the bullpen, and left-hander Matthew Boyd allowed just two runs over seven innings in a 10-2 victory to secure the series victory. The Cubs (69-50) enter Monday's off day — their first since July 23 — with a 12-5 mark over the 17-game stretch.
The lack of off days required manager Craig Counsell to find ways to build in rest for their regulars. That meant Pete Crow-Armstrong was the designated hitter for a second consecutive game and the third time in five games as Counsell attempted to "recharge some batteries the best I can right now."
The Cubs' series win keeps them rolling. Their 35-16 (.686) mark since June 11 is second-best in the big leagues during that span behind the Boston Red Sox — after the Cubs had posted a majors-worst 7-22 stretch prior to this run.
"Our starters have performed exceptionally well, and that's been the key to this thing," Counsell said of playing 17 straight. "You don't survive it without good starting pitching, and the number of quality starts, whether it be length or lack of runs given up, it's been impressive for sure, and it's got us through this, and it's helped us win games. Because the length the starter is able to give you contributes to what happens the next day in the bullpen, and they've done a heck of a job."
#kansas #city #bullpen #runs
1 month ago
