If Game 1 is any indication, this Cubs-Giants series is going to be unbelievably entertaining. Javier Baez’s clutch blast in the bottom of the eighth has the North Siders up 1-0.
Our three favorite and least favorite moments from Friday night:
3 UP
Javier Baez drops a bomb
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Fox Sports 1 analyst John Smoltz just got done criticizing the Cubs second baseman’s tendency to strike out—as well as his considerable power. Then BOOM! Baez sends Wrigley into a frenzy with a shot into the basket in left. Enter Aroldis Chapman in the ninth, and it was lights out.
The one tiny, minuscule “complaint”: Baez immediately celebrated like the ball was out, though it barely made it into the basket.
“I forgot about the wind,” he sheepishly told Fox Sports 1 afterward. Fair enough.
David Ross is ageless
The way he throws out runners (TWICE on Friday). The way he brings the best out of Jon Lester. The fiery celebrations after throwing out runners. The way he shook off taking a foul tip off the knee. Anything the 39-year-old catcher does is makes you happy he’s on the Cubs.
BTW, Ross became the first catcher with a pickoff and a caught stealing in same postseason game since 1935. Cubs catcher Gabby Hartnett, a native of Park Ridge, Ill., did it in that year’s World Series against Detroit.
Jon Lester will not be outdueled
Yes, he allowed leadoff singles in the first three innings. But he was able to pitch around trouble, and that builds confidence for him (not that he was lacking any) and the defense.
His stellar line: 8 innings, 5 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts.
Johnny Cueto was great for the Giants as well, save for the Baez home run. Just not good enough to beat Lester.
3 DOWN
Keep on waiting
We know it’s all about money if you’re Major League Baseball, and more ads are a way of life in the postseason. Still, it hardly seems fair to wait even one second longer after 162 games of being conditioned otherwise.
Higher isn’t always better
Normally the view from behind the pitcher during a baseball broadcast is situated to one side of the pitcher. Fox Sports 1’s, however, is directly over the pitcher’s head, and that didn’t sit well with some fans. It can make it harder to tell which pitches are balls and strikes when watching On TV.
Johnny Cueto: Supermodel?
The Giants’ official Twitter account featured a number of cheesy photos of their starting pitcher throughout Friday’s game. Don’t try to make sense of it. Just enjoy.
@redeyesportschi | chsosa@redeyechicago.com
