Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Pirates Sunday 4/4 game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2021-04-04T17:15:47-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/221300892021-04-04T17:15:47-05:002021-04-04T17:15:47-05:00Cubs 4, Pirates 3: All’s well that ends well
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<figcaption>Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This one wasn’t as easy as it first seemed.</p> <p id="lVHYTK">This game started out like it was going to be a breeze.</p>
<p id="WZ79EC">Zach Davies was mowing down Pirates, hinting that he might even be a candidate to throw a Maddux.</p>
<p id="ocvKkw">Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> were drawing walks at nearly the pace they had given them up on Opening Day, and timely hitting gave them a 3-0 lead.</p>
<p id="LTWvfi">But... Davies made one mistake, and the bullpen was a bit shaky, but fortunately the newly-rejuvenated Craig Kimbrel made 1-2-3 work of the Bucs in the ninth and so <a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/pirates-vs-cubs/2021/04/04/634613#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=634613">the Cubs had a 4-3 win</a> and a 2-1 start to the 2021 season.</p>
<p id="JvCex0">The Cubs put two runners on base in the first inning on walks sandwiched around a Willson Contreras strikeout and then <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/04/719feb9e-db803c9e-6ae0a4b5-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Kris Bryant gave them a 1-0 lead [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="MNCNQ8"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/04/719feb9e-db803c9e-6ae0a4b5-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
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<p id="UxE1zs">Anthony Rizzo went to third on Bryant’s RBI single and scored on an infield grounder by Joc Pederson to make it 2-0.</p>
<p id="0neFn0">Davies was outstanding through the first five innings. He allowed just two walks and a single in that time and just one runner got past first base through five.</p>
<p id="1nyFvc">Meanwhile, Ian Happ extended the Cubs’ lead to <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/04/3359bbac-f58297f9-bf7c54f1-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">3-0 leading off the third [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="5pdT7F"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/04/3359bbac-f58297f9-bf7c54f1-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
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<p id="O6Bql5">Fun fact:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ian Happ’s first hit of the season has been a homer in 4 out of his 5 years in the big leagues. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> (first reported by <a href="https://twitter.com/ihapp_1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ihapp_1</a>)</p>— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) <a href="https://twitter.com/Taylor_McGregor/status/1378826251062939655?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a>
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<p id="UiFbTj">That ball was crushed!</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pirates?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pirates</a> 0 @ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> 3 [B3-0o]:<br><br>Ian Happ homers (1): fly ball to CF(solo)<br><br>Hit: 428ft, 108.2mph, 30° <br><br>Pitch: 85.6mph Slider (RHP Mitch Keller, 1)</p>— Home Run Tracker (@DingerTracker) <a href="https://twitter.com/DingerTracker/status/1378787372360425475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a>
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<p id="fkPfmH">Davies ran out of gas in the sixth. With two out, Bryan Reynolds singled and Colin Moran homered and suddenly it was a one-run game. Davies faced two more hitters before leaving to a warm ovation. The home run was his only real mistake — if not for the single and homer, Davies might have been able to complete seven innings. He was getting outs on weak contact and using his changeup for strikeouts, 58 strikes in 88 pitches. Does that sound like any other Cubs pitcher you know?</p>
<p id="y9iOOW"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/04/0389e82a-44360473-bd7a8929-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Davies was also helped out by good defense like this [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="UP3t7h"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/04/0389e82a-44360473-bd7a8929-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
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<p id="stBfnJ">The Cubs got the run right back in the bottom of the sixth. Bryant led off with a double and one out later, <a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/04/1ba8abd4-faeae0ad-882e08ad-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">scored on this error [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="FM5MP2"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2021/2021-04/04/1ba8abd4-faeae0ad-882e08ad-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
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<p id="WiReR3">I’ve watched that video multiple times and I don’t see the error there. That’s one of those scoring decisions that could eventually be changed.</p>
<p id="Tdw37E">The Cubs managed to load the bases later in that inning with just one out, but pinch-hitter Matt Duffy hit into a hard-luck double play to end the inning.</p>
<p id="P5QJ86">So it was up to the bullpen to hold the 4-2 lead and Ryan Tepera did a good job of that, recording four straight outs in the seventh and beginning the eighth. But when David Ross brought in Rex Brothers... yikes. Three straight hits produced a Pirates run, and granted, one of those hits was an infield grounder that tied up Javier Baez, but Brothers was fortunate to get out of the inning on a double play.</p>
<p id="Gmo0wy">The Cubs didn’t score in the eighth and that set things up for Kimbrel, who is looking like th guy the Cubs thought they were getting when they signed him in June 2019. He struck out the first two hitters he faced and got Wilmer Difo to hit <a href="https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/0a0f6e7c-2638-4311-9fce-96fc6a4eeea6.mp4">this soft liner to Javy to end it [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="8qPIYX"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/0a0f6e7c-2638-4311-9fce-96fc6a4eeea6.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
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<p id="uzFql2">Kimbrel hit 97 on several of his fastballs and that’s really good news. That’s the velocity at which he’s most effective. He also spotted his curveball well for strikes in this one. To have the good Kimbrel at the end of games is a huge boost to this team.</p>
<p id="eIcciZ">Two out of three is all that can be asked for just about any three-game series, no matter that this Pirates team might lose 100 games this season. The Cubs have looked like the team I thought they could be over the last two games. They now sit tied for first place with the Reds in the NL Central at 2-1, with the other three Central teams at 1-2.</p>
<p id="GzphMg">The <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> will come to Wrigley Field to begin a three-game set Monday evening. Trevor Williams will make his Cubs debut and his Milwaukee opponent will be former Cub Brett Anderson. Game time is 6:40 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/4/4/22367133/cubs-pirates-recap-zach-davies-craig-kimbrel-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2021-04-04T14:50:00-05:002021-04-04T14:50:00-05:00Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Pirates, Sunday 4/4, 1:20 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="ZwFh4a">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/4/4/22366045/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-pirates-sunday-4-4-1-20-ctAl Yellon2021-04-04T13:15:00-05:002021-04-04T13:15:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Pirates, Sunday 4/4, 1:20 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="ZwFh4a">Go get ‘em, Zach.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/4/4/22366043/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-pirates-sunday-4-4-1-20-ctAl Yellon2021-04-04T11:30:00-05:002021-04-04T11:30:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates preview, Sunday 4/4, 1:20 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs go for the series win.</p> <p id="fprL4b">Sunday notes:</p>
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<strong>GO, GO, JAVY: </strong>Javier Báez Saturday recorded his fifth career multi‐stolen base game (last done July 23, 2019 in San Francisco).</li>
<li id="ibCA6H">
<strong>GO KB!:</strong> Kris Bryant Saturday hit the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>’ first home run of the season, a solo blast to the center field basket in the third inning. That was the third time in the last four seasons Bryant has homered within the team’s first two games of the season. </li>
<li id="h5uCTw">
<strong>TODAY’S SILLY EARLY-SEASON PROJECTION:</strong> Including three sac flies on Opening Day and David Bote’s second‐inning sac fly Saturday, the Cubs are on pace for 324 sac flies this season, which would obliterate the franchise record of 66 set in 1975.</li>
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<strong>PITCHERS HITTING:</strong> So far in 2021, MLB pitchers are hitting .082/.099/.116 (5-for-61, two doubles) with 37 strikeouts. Cubs pitchers: 0-for-3, two strikeouts. Still want pitchers batting? Read this:</li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Gray was hurt swinging it will be the millionth reminder of why there should be universal DH. No sound argument for pitchers hitting anymore. Just makes no sense when looking at production and risk vs reward <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Denver7?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Denver7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rockies?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rockies</a> <a href="https://t.co/CTfJr1HsFu">https://t.co/CTfJr1HsFu</a></p>— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyRenck/status/1378525447210811393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a>
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<p id="ULBUw4">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="T5Sg5W"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/chicago-cubs">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> lineup behind Zach Davies!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CubTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CubTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/dIJY7moW8y">pic.twitter.com/dIJY7moW8y</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1378723349778563072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a>
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<p id="e4rFFk"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/pittsburgh-pirates">Pirates</a> lineup:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The birthday boy's on the bump at Wrigley.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsGoBucs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsGoBucs</a> <a href="https://t.co/aVSnBgqHjx">pic.twitter.com/aVSnBgqHjx</a></p>— Pirates (@Pirates) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/1378721930073796611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a>
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<h2 id="GgR9hc">Zach Davies, RHP vs. Mitch Keller, RHP</h2>
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<cite>MLB Photos via Getty Images</cite>
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<cite>MLB Photos via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="AaHfxR">Zach Davies is making his Cubs debut this afternoon. He had an outstanding spring, allowing just two earned runs in 16⅔ innings (1.08 ERA), with 14 strikeouts. He did walk nine, and that’s not a good sign for a guy who relies on location, control and command.</p>
<p id="KocqdB">He didn’t face the Pirates in 2020 as a member of the Padres, but in 2019 he posted a 1.98 ERA and 1.207 WHIP in five starts against them when he was with the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>. Current Pirates are hitting .242 (23-for-81) against Davies with one home run (Colin Moran).</p>
<p id="43sB6i">As you can see from the lineup tweet above, today is Mitch Keller’s birthday. He turns 25 today.</p>
<p id="tllke3">Keller has been one of the Pirates’ top prospect pitchers for quite some time. Last year he made only five starts due to an oblique injury.</p>
<p id="drWtJh">In fact, it was in a start against the Cubs, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN202008010.shtml">August 1 at Wrigley Field</a>, where he suffered that injury. Ian Happ and Javier Baez homered in that game just before Keller departed.</p>
<p id="ftKgqX">Keller returned for three September starts and threw pretty well: 2.57 ERA, 1.143 WHIP, but he had a very odd split for that WHIP: 14 innings, two hits, 14 walks.</p>
<p id="Gm2A0j">Besides Happ and Baez, Jason Heyward has also homered off Keller.</p>
<p id="2ds1DJ">I hereby declare this the “Pitchers Who Look Like Teenagers” matchup.</p>
<p id="vGN2YO">Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. <a href="https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/providers/">Here’s a list of providers currently carrying Marquee<strong>.</strong></a> </p>
<p id="6w2xna"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2021/04/04">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="Xe5URc"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2021_04_04_pitmlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2021/CHN202104040.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="7oSHCm">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/pittsburgh-pirates">Pirates</a> site <a href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a>. If you do go there to interact with Pirates fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p id="mRtOMf">The 2021 Game Thread procedure will be a bit different than previous years. It will be similar to what we’ve used for Spring Training.</p>
<p id="uNrOo7">You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p id="Jy7Er2">At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p id="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2021/4/4/22359925/chicago-cubs-pittsburgh-pirates-preview-sundayAl Yellon