Short on pitchers, no problem: Cubs win eighth straight
Down two starters, missing most of their key relievers — the circumstances certainly didn't line up for the Cubs to launch an eight-game win streak.
Before the season even, this stretch of games against the Phillies and Mets was expected to be a tough part of the schedule.
None of that mattered. While Matthew Boyd came off the injured list to start Wednesday's game, the Cubs offense continued to improve and produced a 7-2 victory over Philadelphia at Wrigley Field.
This is the Cubs' longest April win streak since they won 11 straight in 1970, and it matches the longest streak in MLB this season. San Diego also won eight in a row. The Cubs are plus-38 in run differential during their streak.
Michael Busch hit his first home run of the season, an opposite-field shot. Seiya Suzuki, who mashed his initial homer Tuesday, went deep again. Alex Bregman and Pete Crow-Armstrong added 3 hits each.
“It just feels like there's these pockets in the lineup that have been so inevitable,” Crow-Armstrong said. “We've got weapons here. Feels really good showing up at the ballpark knowing everybody's going to have a part in winning a baseball game.”
On Opening Day, Boyd had a rough outing and lost to Washington. He was better in his second start, recording 10 strikeouts in a win against the Angels.
After that, he went on the 15-day injured list with a left biceps strain. That was just the beginning of bad luck for the pitching staff.
The day after Boyd went on the IL, the Cubs announced that Cade Horton would need Tommy John surgery and miss the season. Relievers Daniel Palencia, Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey and Ethan Roberts went on the injured list, while Porter Hodge became the second from the staff to need elbow surgery.
Boyd had a solid return, working 4⅔ innings with 2 earned runs, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts and no walks. Ben Brown followed with two-plus innings to get the win.
“I don't think Matt was super sharp, but no walks, that's still good on the ledger for sure,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “The double play to (Kyle) Schwarber (in the fifth) was just a really big play.”
Boyd had a nice view of the win streak while rehabbing his injury and was happy to be a contributor once again. To make room on the roster, the Cubs sent left-hander Luke Little back to Iowa. With Boyd back in the rotation, Counsell said Javier Assad will be used in relief. Or until the next injury happens.
The relievers have stepped up, especially Caleb Thielbar, who has 2 saves and a win in his last three appearances. But Counsell gives most of the credit to the starting pitchers.
During the win streak Cubs starters have posted a 2.09 ERA, which leaves less reliance on the bullpen. Over the full season the Cubs rank sixth in starter ERA at 3.32.
“It's taken all of us, from the starters to every man in the bullpen,” Boyd said. “It's been impressive. Tonight was another example of that. When you go on these win streaks, it's a product of everybody doing their thing. It's special. It's a lot of fun right now, and it's taken all of us.”
One odd sidebar to this game was Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya going 3-for-3 on challenging ball calls, including the final pitch of the game. It was a clutch performance, since Suzuki lost a challenge in the first inning, so the Cubs would have run out if Amaya was wrong. The Phillies were out of challenges by the third inning.
“I don't know how much skill there is to this,” Counsell said. “You just take the chance, you take your shots, and Miguel took some good shots tonight. If he's good at that tenth of an inch, man, that's something I don't understand, but good for him.”