22 September, 2017
Arrieta gave the Cubs what they needed in his first game since he left his Labor Day start in Pittsburgh with a hamstring injury.
This series is big as it is, and the NL Central race would have been even tighter had not the Brewers blown a late lead Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.
"Let's just go play those games, " I told him.
Kris Bryant's two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning enabled the Chicago Cubs to outlast the Brewers in Milwaukee last night, 5-3.
For his career against the Brewers, Lackey is 6-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 14 starts.
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber had given the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the second inning, hitting an 0-1 curveball from Brewers starter Zach Davies over the fence in left-center field for his 29th home run of the season. Almost two weeks ago, the Brewers outscored the defending World Series champion Cubs 20-3 in a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field. "It should be about today all the time".
The only thing different about this September is that we're still talking about the Cubs without a "wait till next year" caveat. "We can play well for the last nine days and still do something good".
"They'll get to the playoffs, " another Cub watcher told me.
Midway Mark in Prep Football Tonight; Bryant Belts Cubs Over Brewers
"It's good to be pressed". "You feel like you're playing for something". Personally, I like the competition.
"More than anything, I think you feel like you've earned the right to play in these games, and that's what makes it exciting".
The St. Louis Cardinals are still lurking in the Central and always will remain the Cubs' chief rivals.
"I think it has the potential to turn into something really fun".
Most agree the Brewers have been extreme overachievers this year.
I like the idea that a scufflin' team like the Cubs just might continue to scuffle in the post-season.
"It's two tough (losses), but we're still sitting in a pretty good spot", Counsell said.
After Rizzo tripled and Leonys Martin walked, Carlos Torres replaced Drake and got the Brewers out of the inning with no further damage with the help of a double play.
