"The Cubs romped in the series opener last night, giving them their second 10-game winning streak in just 23 total games. As has been the case so often this season, the bats ensured there was plenty of margin for the injury-riddled pitching staff. Not that the pitchers needed it, with Ben Brown stepping in to kick things off with four hitless innings."
""Our pitching staff is just better because our defense is so good," Brown said after the game. "Our pitching staff can breathe a little bit because our offense is playing so well. Our pitching staff is incredibly deep because our coaches are so solid.""
"Craig Counsell was only planning on getting three innings at most from his starter, who had not recorded more than seven outs since his second appearance of the season back on March 31. Because Brown worked so efficiently, throwing only 46 pitches, Counsell was able to push him an inning deeper than expected. That might not seem like much in the grand scheme, but every frame matters for this team right now."
"Though there have been some concerns about the righty's slight dip in velocity and significant drop in strikeout rate, he's produced a little positive correction over the last two games. His sinker, which he throws more than his fastball, was up to a season-high 97 mph against the Padres. Even better, he set season highs with seven and eight Ks in each of those last two outings."
The Cubs won the series opener decisively, producing their second 10-game winning streak in 23 games. Offense created comfortable margins for an injury-riddled pitching staff, while Ben Brown opened with four hitless innings on only 46 pitches. Craig Counsell planned limited work for his starter, but Brown’s efficiency allowed him to go one inning deeper than expected. Edward Cabrera is expected to deliver another deep outing to rest the bullpen. Concerns about reduced velocity and strikeout rate are tempered by recent improvement, including a season-high 97 mph sinker and season-high strikeout totals in his last two starts. Continued performance depends on limiting hits and improving curveball consistency, with offense providing similar support.
Read at Cubsinsider
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