The doubts are starting to creep in for Cubs fans, and it’s easy to see why.
After the Cubs’ 6-0 loss in Game 3 of the NLCS in Los Angeles, they now have been shut out in 18 straight innings, a dubious postseason franchise record. More concerning is the Cubs now trail in the series, two games to one.
At least there’s not much time to dwell on it, as Game 4 is Wednesday in Los Angeles (7:08 p.m., Fox Sports 1).
3 UP
That’s mine now
Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill just kept throwing over to first base after Anthony Rizzo had walked in the second inning. Twice Hill almost chucked it down the right-field line. Eventually Rizzo stole second, and without a throw. He became the third Cubs first baseman to swipe a base in the postseason, with the others being Frank Chance and Mark Grace. We know what you’re thinking: Mark Grace stole a base?
He said, “I GOT IT!”
On a fly ball by Josh Reddick to lead off the second inning, Cubs left fielder Jorge Soler drifted toward center to track it down. Problem was, center fielder Dexter Fowler was calling him off, and Soler didn’t retreat until the last second. He recoiled just in time for Fowler to make the grab, but the outfielders ended up colliding and Soler was knocked down for his trouble. We’ll consider it a minor victory that neither player was seriously hurt.
No. 500!
Since we’re struggling to come up with three Cubs positives from Tuesday’s games, we direct your attention to the Blackhawks. Forward Marian Hossa scored his 500th goal Tuesday in a win over Philadelphia at the United Center. Congrats to him, and we can’t wait for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
3 DOWN
This guy
We will not do anything to encourage goofs who want to run onto the field. We will only point out that it is a stupid idea.
Anybody feel like hitting?
Two hits for the Cubs on Sunday. No runs. Four hits for the Cubs on Tuesday. No runs. Joe Maddon shuffled the lineup in Game 3, and his team had only a pair of singles to show for it. Maybe some extra batting practice Wednesday?
Jake Arrieta
The Cubs needed him to handcuff the Dodgers on Tuesday, perhaps putting the Cubs offense at ease somewhat. Although he wasn’t face-plant terrible, four runs allowed over five innings is too meh to set up your team for success in the postseason. That said, there’s no one they’d rather have on the mound in Game 7, should the series get that far.
NLCS: CUBS VS. DODGERS
Dodgers lead series 2-1 (all games on Fox Sports 1)
Game 1: Cubs 8, Dodgers 4
Game 2: Dodgers 1, Cubs 0
Game 3: Dodgers 6, Cubs 0
Game 4: at Los Angeles, 7:08 p.m. Wednesday
Game 5: at Los Angeles, 7:08 p.m. Thursday
Game 6*: at Chicago, Saturday (time TBA)
Game 7*: at Chicago, Sunday (time TBA)
*If necessary
@redeysportschi | chsosa@redeyechicago.com
![“Let the music do the talking,” sang Phish vocalist-guitarist Trey Anastasio at the outset of the band’s concert Saturday at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Normally, hearing that advice from a well-disciplined virtuoso who seemingly never tires of the stage and worships the groove would pass without a hint of potential irony. However, given the group was not even one minute into the third of its sold-out four-night stand at the $2.3 billion dome — expressly devised to push sensory boundaries to previously uncharted limits — one couldn’t help wonder how seriously Phish would take its own instruction. Turns out […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CTC-L-ENT-PHISH-04-e1713888536637.jpg?w=620 "“Let the music do the talking,” sang Phish vocalist-guitarist Trey Anastasio at the outset of the band’s concert Saturday at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Normally, hearing that advice from a well-disciplined virtuoso who seemingly never tires of the stage and worships the groove would pass without a hint of potential irony. However, given the group was not even one minute into the third of its sold-out four-night stand at the $2.3 billion dome — expressly devised to push sensory boundaries to previously uncharted limits — one couldn’t help wonder how seriously Phish would take its own instruction. Turns out […]")
