Are the Cubs who we thought they'd be?
MILWAUKEE - So here we are with the state of the Cubs:
After 30 games, they're 15-15, and after a long run against National League Central foes, they're 12-12 against their division. The records evened up Sunday in both categories as the Cubs fell 3-2 in 11 innings to the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
Martin Maldonado's bases-loaded RBI single to the wall in right field with the bases loaded scored Ryan Braun with the game-winner. Braun opened the inning with a double off losing pitcher Jason Motte.
Cubs batters struck out 16 times, giving them 41 for the series and 304 for the season. That projects to 1,642, which would shatter last year's all-time team record of 1,477.
The Cubs have dropped three series in a row, including two to the Brewers, the so-called worst team in baseball at 11-21.
"I think they're better than the worst team in baseball," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon, whose team comes home to Wrigley Field Monday night to host the Mets - when the left-field bleachers will open to fans for the first time this season.
No doubt the Cubs feel they could have won a few of the games they've lost, so 15-15 doesn't sound so bad considering where this franchise has been the last few years.
"I think we stack up well; I love our team," said catcher David Ross, who was involved in a key play Sunday. "We've been in more games than not. I feel like we've taken some leads late in games. Is there room for improvement and can we be better? Yes. I feel like we have a very, very talented team here that is going to win, and we come every day and expect to win. We've got a good chance to do something special here."
There were a couple of key talking points Sunday. Catcher Miguel Montero gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead with a solo homer off Matt Garza in the sixth.
In the bottom of the inning. Maddon pulled starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks after a single to Braun and a flyout to Adam Lind. Reliever Justin Grimm walked Khris Davis but got Jean Segura on a double-play ball.
Lefty Zac Rosscup came on in the seventh and gave up back-to-back homers to No. 7 hitter Maldonado and to Elian Herrera.
"I really felt strongly about 'Cup there," Maddon said of Rosscup. "That's one thing I didn't see coming, a couple of homers by the bottom of their batting order against him. He's been throwing the ball so well. So you've got to give them (the Brewers) credit."
Maddon said he pulled Hendricks when he did because Milwaukee batters had begun hitting the ball hard against him, "for those that are paying attention."
Anthony Rizzo's RBI double in the eighth tied the game. In the top of the 10th, Ross led off with a single, and Addison Russell struck out. Ross was then called out for interference at second base on what turned out to be a double-play grounder by Dexter Fowler.
Neither Maddon nor Ross agreed with the explanation given by second-base umpire Bruce Dreckman.
"I was very surprised," Ross said. "Did it look dirty? No. I don't know what he saw. I talked to him a little bit. I was definitely surprised. He said that I 'obstructed' on purpose and threw an elbow. I'm going in hard, and obviously, I'm trying to take the guy out at second. That's what you're supposed to do. They're getting some scuffles at second around the league. Maybe they're trying to crack down on some stuff."
So the Cubs will come home, try to cut down on the strikeouts and get their bullpen shored up for the long haul.
"The bullpen overall, we've talked about making that better," Maddon said. "The strikeouts hurt us in a game like today, just not moving the baseball. But when you hit the ball over the wall, it's not so bad, either. My point is we just have to organize our strike zone a little bit better. We're seeing a lot of pitches. The fight was there. For a young, inexperienced group, I'm really happy with the way we're playing overall."
Cubs scouting report
Cubs vs. New York Mets at Wrigley Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet Monday and Thursday; Comcast SportsNet Plus Tuesday; WGN Wednesday
Radio: WBBM 780-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Jon Lester (2-2) vs. Jacob deGrom (3-3) Monday at 7:05 p.m.; Jake Arrieta (3-3) vs. Noah Syndergaard (major-league debut) Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.; Jason Hammel (3-1) vs. Matt Harvey (5-1) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.; Travis Wood (2-2) vs. Jonathon Niese (3-2) Thursday at 1:20 p.m.
At a glance: The surprising Mets are atop the National League East. They're doing it on the strength of their pitching, which ranked second in the NL in ERA (2.82) entering Sunday. The Mets went into Sunday hitting just .234 as a team, and they were near the bottom in several key categories. The Cubs just finished a stretch of 13 of 19 games away from Wrigley Field, and all 19 were against NL Central foes. Anthony Rizzo entered Sunday among the leaders in on-base and slugging percentages. Rookie Kris Bryant was 10th in OBP (. 415).
Next: Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, Friday-Sunday
- Bruce Miles