Cubs doing things the hard way
The Cubs have no plans of making their chase of a playoff berth easy on themselves anytime soon.
Anybody who wasn’t sure before Wednesday night got hit with that same cold reality the players did in a 3-2 loss to the woeful Reds in 10 innings. The Cubs managed only one hit in six innings against starting pitcher Tyler Mahle, who came in with a 5.11 ERA.
“It’s not ever easy,” said left fielder Kyle Schwarber, who drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and later showed a brief flash of emotion after striking out to end the ninth as pitcher Amir Garrett celebrated. “They made it look easy in ’16. And ’17 was a grind, ’18 a grind, ’15 a grind. It’s never easy.”
The loss cost the Cubs a chance to break a tie with the Brewers for the National League’s second wild-card spot. It also cost them a game in the NL Central standings to the first-place Cardinals, who open a fourgame series at Wrigley Field on Thursday with a three-game lead.
“We’ve still got plenty of opportunity,” said manager Joe Maddon, whose club faces the Cardinals in seven of the final 10 games. “We’ve got to take care of ourselves.”
The Cubs’ uphill climb has only become steeper in recent days as they play without their closer, star first baseman and their top two shortstops.
“We all know where we’re at. Tonight could have been a big step for us, and we came up a little short,” said starter Jon Lester, who pitched into the sixth inning before being pulled at 77 pitches after putting the first two on. “But nobody in that clubhouse is naive to what’s going on. We know what’s in front of us.”
Kimbrel on tap?
Closer Craig Kimbrel’s elbow appeared to check out fine after he threw a simulated inning Tuesday, and Maddon said there’s a “strong possibility” Kimbrel will be activated Thursday.
He hasn’t pitched since Sept. 1 because of the sore elbow, leading to his second trip to the injured list (also sore knee) in less than three months with the team.
Kintzler eyes final trip
Setup man Brandon Kintzler, who has tried to manage a “mild” oblique strain for the last month, fared well in a brief session off a mound, as well as a throwing session on flat ground.
“Good day; great day,” he said after heading to the clubhouse.
Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said he expects Kintzler to throw one more bullpen session before being ready for game action, possibly by the series finale Sunday against the Cardinals.
The Cubs have a day off after that before starting a six-game road trip to finish the season.
Russell close?
For the first time since entering the concussion protocol, infielder Addison Russell participated in a full schedule of hitting and fielding during pregame Wednesday.
He looked fit and upbeat, performing easily, laughing with teammates and even chatting with two reporters (against the rules of the concussion protocol).
Russell is eligible to return from the concussion injury list Thursday, but the team isn’t prepared to commit to that timeline.
Double vision
Nick Castellanos’ 56th double, in the fourth inning (after a replay challenge upheld the call), tied him with seven others for 13th all-time for a season.
With 10 games left, he’s 11 short of Earl Webb’s 88-year-old record. He needs seven to crack the top five all-time.