'98 Braves defeat '16 Cubbies 4 games to 2

The 98 Braves overcame a weak bullpen and a slugging 2016 Chicago Cubs team to win the Modern LCS 4 games to 2.

First of all, let me thank Cubs manager Kurt Schaden for his patience in getting these games in. Some of the folks I am in other leagues with are aware that my internet capabilities have been in a shambles for the last couple of weeks. This has led to a lot of missed deadlines and cancellations on my part in several outfits. I never knew when or if I was gonna be able to connect. The issue has been resolved and those problems are behind us. But Kurt had to suffer through the end of them with me and I want to thank him publicly for his flexibility and good nature.

Here are some short recaps of the series:

Game 1...Greg Maddux pitched 7 innings and was charged with 3 earned runs  when relievers John Rocker and Odalis Perez had trouble getting anyone out. Finally, with the bases loaded and one out, score 5-4 Braves, Atlanta closer Kerry Lightenberg came on to get Wilson Contreras to ground into an inning ending double play. Lightenberg then shut the Cubs down in the 9th to put Atlanta up 1 game to 0.

Game 2...Jon Lester overcame a pair of solo homers in the Brave 4th and a strong performance by lefty Tom Glavine to tie the series at 1-1. Anthony Rizzo had the big hit for Chicago with a two run single in the bottom of the first. Lester and the stellar Cubs bullpen shut the visitors down after the fourth to win 3-2. On to Turner Field.

Game 3...Jake Arrieta was outstanding for the cubs and John Smoltz got shelled for the home team.  That sums up the Chicago 14-8 win. Arrieta went 6.1 innings and gave up one earned run before his bullpen got a bit sloppy but by that time the Cubs were safe and sound. Smoltzie was not sharp. He gave up 8 hits, 3 walks and allowed 7 earned runs before his relief corps did their best to make his outing look good with their own slovenly performance. Chicago up 2 games to 1.

Game 4...Denny Neagle came on to stop the bleeding for the home team and he really didn't. But he did get enough run support to  make his 8.1 innings of work and 5 earned runs look nice. Cubs starter John Lackey didn't have it today and ran a line of 4 innings pitched and 9 earned runs as the Braves tie the series 2-2 with a 16-5 victory.

Game 5...Maddux goes all the way for the home team and the Braves score 4 in the bottom of the second to make the final Braves 4 Cubs 2. Atlanta takes the series lead 3 games to 2. Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks was injured for the game in the bottom of the second inning and left the game after giving up 5 hits and with runners at first and third  He was charged with three earned runs after reliever Mike Montgomery threw a wild pitch to the first batter he faced allowing one run to score. The Cubs reliever then allowed  a single and a double and two more runs before putting out the fire. Maddux made it hold up.

Game 6...Tom Glavine gets the nod for the Braves and Jon Lester returns to the hill for the home town bunch as the series return to Wrigley Field. Bot pitchers were sharp. Andruw Jones hits a solo homer to put the Braves on top 1-0 but the Cubs come back to tie off Glavine in the bottom of the fourth. That's where it stays as the opposing teams keep slapping up zeros for one another until the top of the 11th inning. After a walk to Andres Galarraga, Andruw Jones strikes again with a run scoring double and Eddie Perez singled him in to make the count 3-1 Braves. Out of bench, Chicago goes to pitcher Jake Arrieta to pinch hit with two out in the bottom of the stanza and closer Kerry Lightenberg on the mound for the visitors. Jake promptly hits a home run 383 feet to left center. Talk about pulling the right strings! Lightenberg struck out Dexter Fowler, the next hitter to make it a moot point however. Atlanta takes the series and the Modern League NL championship 4 games to 2.

Once again, I thank Kurt for hanging in there and for a good series. Frankly, I think the Cubs were the best team in the Modern League and I reckon they would whip the Braves two out of every three series they might play. I never expected to win this one and I'm glad I don't have to see Chicago again.

regards

eab
98 Braves