It’s been famous by many who Justin Steele had not posted a win in any of his earlier 12 begins in 2024. That streak additionally went again into 2023, as he didn’t publish a victory in his ultimate 4 begins final yr.
All of that got here to an finish with a panoramic complete-game efficiency from Steele, who retired the final 13 Angels he confronted, allowed simply two hits and a run, and the Cubs received the collection opener 5-1. It was the primary CG of Steele’s MLB profession.
BCB’s JohnW53 jogged my memory, and I’ll remind you, that this was the Cubs’ first full recreation since Marcus Stroman threw a one-hit shutout in opposition to the Rays Could 29, 2023. Kyle Hendricks threw a CG and allowed a run in opposition to the Dodgers in 2021, however that was a seven-inning recreation, a part of a doubleheader. Earlier than Friday, the final Cubs pitcher to throw a nine-inning CG through which he allowed a run was Cole Hamels, who did it Aug. 23, 2018 in opposition to the Reds.
Past the wonderful pitching of Steele, the Cubs offered a diversified offense that included going 3-for-10 with RISP, and a few excellent defensive performs. Let’s have a look at all of these.
The protection started on the very first pitch of the sport. Perhaps Miles Mastrobuoni can’t hit a lot (although he did have a double on this recreation), however he can definitely flash some glove [VIDEO].
Then the Cubs set to work on the bat. The primary two Cubs flied to left within the backside of the primary, then Cody Bellinger singled.
Seiya Suzuki went oppo to make it 2-0 [VIDEO].
Two extra Cubs reached base within the first, Ian Happ by stroll and Christopher Morel by single, however they had been stranded. Nonetheless, good to see the Cubs persevering with to hit.
The Cubs made it 3-0 within the third. Michael Busch walked and superior to second on a floor out. Then Busch was balked to 3rd, the place he scored on this single by Happ [VIDEO].
Whereas all this was happening, Steele was mowing down Angels hitters. After a one-out stroll within the first, he retired 10 in a row, the tenth on this slick play by Dansby Swanson [VIDEO].
The subsequent play ought to have ended the fourth inning, however Suzuki dropped a catchable fly ball. That was adopted by a stroll, then the inning ended on one other good play by Mastrobuoni [VIDEO].
Then got here the one glitch in Steele’s recreation. He allowed a one-out single within the fifth to Keston Hiura — who was enjoying in his very first recreation with the Angels, after being a pest to the Cubs for years with the Brewers. That broke up any no-hit ideas. Hiura superior to second on an infield out and scored on a single by Turner Ward to make the rating 3-1.
The Cubs acquired that run again within the backside of the inning. Busch led off with a double and two outs later, scored on this single by Happ [VIDEO].
That made seven straight occasions reaching base for Happ, relationship again to Thursday’s recreation. That streak ended within the seventh, however Happ is one scorching hitter proper now.
The Cubs’ ultimate run of the afternoon scored within the sixth. With two out, Tomas Nido bounced an automated double into the seats in left and scored on this single by Nico Hoerner [VIDEO].
And the remainder of the sport was dominated by Steele. After the RBI single by Ward within the fifth, Steele set the remaining 13 Angels down so as, with only one ball (a fly to left within the ninth) leaving the infield. He stored having fast, six- or seven-pitch innings, which is undoubtedly why Craig Counsell left him in to complete. There was yet another slick play by Mastrobuoni, this one within the eighth [VIDEO].
Right here’s Steele’s seventh Okay, this one ended the eighth [VIDEO].
And within the ninth, the fly to left led off the inning, then an infield popup.
With the 36,948 at Wrigley all on their toes, right here’s how Steele ended the sport [VIDEO].
Enjoyable info from BCB’s JohnW53:
The final time Justin Steele went eight innings, Sept. 4, 2023, was the final time he received a recreation, at dwelling vs. the Giants.
That day, he gave up no runs on two hits, each singles, walked two and struck out 12.
Immediately: one run on two hits, each singles, walked two and struck out seven.
Cubs received that recreation final yr, 5-0. Suzuki homered.
Immediately, they received, 5-1. Suzuki homered.
Past the magnificence of Steele, who threw 95 pitches (68 strikes), that is the primary time the Cubs have received consecutive video games in additional than two weeks (June 18 and 19 over the Giants). It’s solely two video games, however what we’ve seen in these video games is quite a bit nearer to the Cubs workforce I believed we had been getting this yr. Let’s hope issues proceed alongside these strains.
The Cubs will go for the collection win Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Subject. Kyle Hendricks will begin for the Cubs and lefthander Tyler Anderson will go for the Angels. Sport time is once more 1:20 p.m. CT and TV protection might be through Marquee Sports activities Community.