MLB
Mike Montgomery Shows Again Why He Is A Starter
Not quite the year we thought we were going to have as far as the starting rotation goes. Yu Darvish has been slow and keeps hitting the DL. Tyler Chatwood has been uncontrollable when it comes to the walks. And one man stepped up when The Cubs needed someone to step up the most. And that man has been Mike Montgomery, who has been amazing in relief starts. Allowing no more than one run in each of his three starts this season. And collecting a 1.02 in his three starts this season. So, to me he is a starter, he’s shown all the qualities and doesn’t walk a lot of people at all.
Mike Montgomery Comes In Clutch Once Again
A big to reason as to why our bullpen and rotation is still in such fantastic shape. Taking a lot of the stress from Darvish being on the DL, and Chatwood unable to perform consistently. Mike Montgomery is pulling his weight around and is making the most of it. Giving up a few more hits than in his last start, but only giving up one run on the night is a success in my books. Giving up seven hits on the night but just walking one person is what the Cubs need. Not giving batters free bases is vital for Cubs pitching.
So, Montgomery, he is a starter. So, what happens when Darvish comes off the DL and proves he can be a capable starter? Will Monty effectively go back to the bullpen? Or, could he replace Chatwood in the rotation. Making it another Brett Anderson situation like we had last year. And we all know how well Eddie Butler pitched in replacement for Anderson previous season. Going against Pittsburgh today Montgomery pitched beautifully today. Allowing just one run on seven hits and walking only one batter.
Mike Montgomery Final Line- 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB and 1 SO
Offense Keeps Hitting In Clutch Situations
Not scoring a lot of runs in today’s game, but getting the hits when needed. The Cubs offense has played very well these past couple weeks. Ranking in top five in most offensive categories This Cubs team has come a far way. And I still believe they aren’t playing to their full abilities. I think this team will only get better throughout the season. Especially if Jason Heyward keeps hitting the way he has. In June, Jason Heyward is hitting .296 with four RBIs and eight hits in six games. Let’s hope he can keep his hot streak going which will help the Cubs immensely.
Player Of The Game
Even though this player went 0-3 at the plate and had a strikeout. He made three very clutch plays, in which two of them saved runs from being scored. The man of the night was Ian Happ, who made a clutch catch after clutch catch. The last one he made is the most important, for one it was the play that ended the game and it prevented a run from scoring. Ian looks a lot more comfortable in left than he does in center. And I think it will be an excellent spot to keep Happ in for the future.
