Cubs' 5th Inning Explosion Sparks Victory!

The Leadoff Man

In what was shaping up to be a rather uneventful game, the Chicago Cubs' bats caught fire in the 5th, leading to a spectacular late-night win. The rally started with Yan Gomes launching a 410 ft homer, setting the stage for a series of plays that showcased the good of the 2024 Cubs. Not whatever I slept through on Monday night, Dive into the details of the game, the MVP of the night, and a unique take on what it means for a pitcher to be "stretched out."

5th Inning Fireworks

The Cubs' 5th inning changed everything. 

Yan Gomes ignited the rally with a 410 ft home run to centerfield. Until that moment, Joe Musgrove of the Padres was dominating with his curveball, but Gomes' homer marked the beginning of the end for him. The inning continued with Ian Happ walking, Seiya Suzuki adding to his hits tally, and Cody Bellinger taking one for the team. The highlight came when Christopher Morel blasted a 431 ft homer, securing the Cubs' lead.

Stepping Up: Ben Brown's Rising Star

Ben Brown's performance on the mound for the Cubs was commendable, 

earning him a solid B+. Over 4 2/3 innings, he allowed only three hits, one walk, and struck out five. Despite his effectiveness, his slight wildness kept him from an A grade. Brown's control, specifically missing too far from the strike zone, is highlighted as an area for improvement. Initially pegged for a middle relief role in Iowa, Brown's was rushed up to the big team when Justin Steele was injured. Brown only threw 77 pitches in the game and it looked like he could have eclipsed 100 pitches but he hasn’t been stretched out as a starter yet.

Stretching Out Pitchers

Baseball Term Explainer Education: The phrase "stretching out a pitcher"

isn't about physical stretches but preparing them to handle a longer stint in games by building up their stamina and durability. This process is crucial for a pitcher transitioning from shorter relief appearances to starting roles, ensuring they can effectively pitch multiple innings without a heightened risk of injury. It involves gradually increasing their pitch count through bullpen sessions, live batting practices, and simulated game scenarios. Much like marathon training, it's about incrementally building capacity to ensure they can "go the distance" when it counts.

The Closer

When we talk about "stretching out" pitchers like Ben Brown, we're diving into the nuts and bolts of how the Cubs are cultivating their mound talent for future success. This recent win, with its unforgettable 5th inning, not only serves as a great moment of triumph but also shines a light on how crucial a well-thought-out development strategy is for our pitchers.

Monday's game? Let's chalk that up as a momentary lapse in the season's storyline. The real narrative is how the team, especially our pitchers, are being groomed for durability, and peak performance.

I really like what Kyle Stanley is doing with The Setup Man. He has a great reaction video to the loss on Monday night. I think a lot of us felt this way and you can tell that this one hurt him. Give it watch when you have 15 minutes.

Got thoughts on how the Cubs are managing their pitchers or insights on game strategy? Let's hear it.

Go Cubs!