The Cubs lost Game 1 to the Mets yesterday 4-2, and two plays contributed greatly to this.
Down 1-0 in the 5th inning, the Cubs tied the score on a Castro double. Castro hit the ball over the centerfielder’s head, it bounced to and off the wall, and the cutoff man’s throw home was very high and well over the plate, beyond the catcher. Castro ended up on second instead of third. When he hit the ball, he slowly left the batter’s box, not hustling. When he got to second, instead of watching the cutoff man to see if he was going to throw home, allowing him to possibly take third, he watched Rizzo score and was clapping at second base. By the time he realized the throw was bad, it was too late to go. Baez later singled and Castro was out at the plate. I realize that had Castro been on third, things change and it’s no guarantee that he scores, but since he would have been on third with no outs, the odds are great he would have scored. When Baez singled, Castro took a very wide turn at third, resulting in it taking more time to get to the plate, and he was tagged out. I have said for decades that players need to hustle out of the batter’s box and on the bases on every play.
In the seventh inning, down 3-1, Schwarber caught a fly ball in medium left field and threw home to try to get the runner tagging from third. Montero, the catcher, set up behind the plate, and when he caught the ball, by the time he reached forward to tag the runner, the runner had already reached the plate. I’ve said for decades that catchers and fielders have to position themselves where all they have to do is make the tag, and not have to reach for the runner. Montero should have been in front of the plate or at the side, still giving access to the plate to the runner. Even if it’s a tricky hop, the only chance to get the runner is to be in position in front or on the side of the plate. Catching the ball behind the plate does no good, as the runner will be safe anyway. The only chance for an out is to be in position and try to make a difficult play.
These mistakes happen all the time, year after year, and managers don’t address this and drill this into their players so it is second nature.
Dear Larry,
I watched all of the playoff games and after the St Louis series thought that this may be the ( back to the Future Year ) for the Cubs.
After watching the Mets Sweep the Cubs, it was a dose of Reality. It was more like a Back to the PAST ! The Cubs were really never in any of those games. They were out pitched, out hit, out fielded, and even out managed. Even the Met Fans seemed to be out performing !!
Very disappointing.,,. Especially in front of their own Home Crowd.,., they could not even win one game ??
I now remember why I have never been a Cub Fan. It is just an exercise in futility and heartbreak. It seemed like the Mets could beat them every game.,., even if they played another seven game series.
LARRY>>> please don’t TELL me the Umpires stole this one from the Cubs !!!
The Cubbies really got whooped so very badly that it is downright embarrassing.