But that isn't what happened. What happened is:
#8 hitter being walked on 4 pitches
#9 hitter inches away from a home run
(Any good manager would take out the pitcher at this point)
Instead, he gets to face the top of their lineup for the 3rd time and instantly blows the lead. Shocker.
Doesn't mean they shouldn't put their best foot forward and try to win. Also they took him out anyways so I don't see your point. What's the difference of his night ending at 70 pitches vs. 83
"with the pen he has"... the pen that just came in and ended the threat right away last inning and is off to a good start this inning. The pen that delivered in game 1 of this series.
I don't care what CC's reasoning is. It is an indefensibly bad decision. If they lose this game it's on him.
I wasn't aware that a win in May is worth less than a win in September.
The Cubs should not be playing the "save the bullpen" game when they have a 2 or 3 run lead in a rubber match against a rival. Whether it's in April or October.
There was no good reason to let him keep pitching against the middle of their lineup for the 3rd time, after a 4 pitch lead off walk to one of their worst hitters. It's indefensible, whatever the reason for it was.
Once again, Counsell trying to let a vet get thru 5 innings and qualify for a meaningless win then doing what's best for the team. lol at not having anybody warming up before this inning started..
I understand the logic of saving the bullpen and letting Jamo get shelled. but this feels like a different game at 5-1 instead of 7-1 in this spot.
oh well.
He showed up in the playoffs last year and i’ll give him credit for that, but he’s objectively not a good starting pitcher at this point in his career. I can argue that he’s been mediocre 3 out of his 4 years here
Edited for typo