Strop’s Busch jinx sinks rally hopes
ST. LOUIS — Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Thursday and again before the National League Division Series opener Friday that he wasn’t going to run away from reliever Pedro Strop.
He didn’t say anything about leaving him behind at the hotel Saturday. Or tripping him on his way to the mound. Or locking him in an equipment closet when the Cubs take the field for Game 2 at Busch Stadium.
When Strop’s season- long troubles at Busch continued in the eighth inning Friday, it only underscored how important it likely will be for the Cubs to find the right formula for taking care of the late innings of close games, especially against a team with as much playoff experience and success as the Cardinals.
Especially with the heightened importance of every out created by losing the opener of a best- of- five series.
“It becomes real big, absolutely,” said Maddon, who made Strop the first name he called from the bullpen this postseason.
“The bullpen’s always huge, man. You win championships because your bullpen does a great job, and our guys are rested, and I have a ton of confidence in them.”
It might not have made a difference Friday, but Strop turned a 2- 0 game into a 4- 0 game in two pitches, giving up rookie Stephen Piscotty’s first postseason home run in his first postseason game.
When the Cubs put runners at the corners with two outs in the ninth against Trevor Rosenthal, it became a footnote instead of a critical moment in the game.
“If that eighth inning goes a little bit different, we’ve got the goahead run at the plate off a really good closer,” said Cubs starter Jon Lester, who allowed only one run before allowing a one- out homer and a walk in the eighth.
Until Strop took over, the Cubs’ pen hadn’t pitched since the final game of the regular season Sunday, so they’re more than rested.
They might be better off if Strop is considered unavailable in the series — at least until they get back home.
Strop, who still is looking for his first clean pitching line this season at Busch Stadium, has retired only eight Cardinals in six appearances in St. Louis. He has allowed eight hits, five walks and two hit batters in 2⅔ innings ( 27.00 ERA).
Even before the game, he said he had no idea why he had so much trouble at Busch compared with everywhere else. His 2.91 ERA this season would be 2.05 if his outings in St. Louis were removed.
“I really don’t have anything specific,’’ Strop said. ‘‘ It could be confidence. Whenever I struggle, most of the time it’s been here. But I never think about it. I’m going to try to do my best.”