Cubs win as Lackey is a big hit with White Sox

Image Courtesy of Bing

As a fan of both the Cubs and the White Sox, I have a decision to make when they play each other. Who do I root for? This year it's easy. I root for the Cubs. The wins obviously mean more to the Cubs than White Sox this season. I was therefor happy when the Cubs beat the White Sox Tuesday. The final score was 7-2. It was a strange game.

Hold your nose and cheer

The Cubs starter was John Lackey. While I'm a Cubs fan, Lackey is a hard guy to root for. Lackey hit four White Sox batters, three in the 5^th inning. Sox reliever, Chris Beck, retaliated by plunking Ian Happ in the bottom of the inning. While Lackey may not have intentionally hit Sox hitters, his demeanor doesn't help. His whole demeanor when he's on the mound is nasty. He invites animosity from opposing players and umpires. Some might say he's just competitive. I don't feel you have to act like a horse's rear to compete. Personally, I much prefer the demeanor of Jose Quintana.

Really Joe?

After Ian Happ was hit by Beck Joe Maddon came out and seemed to be upset. What did Joe expect? If your pitcher hits four bats you can't be surprised if one of your guys gets drilled. After Lackey hit for Sox batters, the umps failed to give the teams a warning. Probably because the umps didn't want to issue a warning that would in essence protect Cubs batters after Lackey had run a muck.

Clark Kent gets mad

In another oddity, Kris Bryant was ejected after complaining about a called third strike. For what it's worth, the pitch wasn't close to being a strike

And Willson Contreras carries on

As for the game itself, Willson Contreras struck the big blow, a three run homer. Contreras finished the game with three hits and four RBIs. Contreras has been the driving force behind the Cubs post all star game resurgence. Willson said that he gained more confidence after Miguel Montero was let go. If that's the case, cutting Montero loose was a really good move.

A little late

In their desire to divest themselves of on the field talent, the White Sox have traded Anthony Swarzak to the Milwaukee Brewers. I wish they had done that before they played the Cubs. The move eliminates one of the few viable options Ricky Renteria had in his bullpen. The Sox season just got a little harder to watch. And yes, I understand why it was done.

A great learning experience

Bears linebacker, Jerrell Freeman, saved a man who was choking in an airport. Jerrell's time with the Bears had given him experience in dealing with choking victims.

Edwin Jackson flashback

I watched part of the Brewers-Nationals game last night. Edwin Jackson was the stater for the Nats. I had forgotten how hard it is to root for a team Edwin is pitching for. The Brewers won by a score of 8-0. Edwin was lit up and I had flashbacks to the 2012 Cubs. I just have to remind my self the Cubs are world series champions.

More next time.