The Chicago Cubs enterer their final series prior to the All-Star break with basically everything working against them in the series opener against the New York Yankees in the Bronx. Starting shortstop Dansby Swanson wasn't in the lineup because of a heel injury, while the Cubs had their worst starting pitcher on the mound and history not on their side.
You probably remember last year's series in New York that took place in June, when the Cubs were swept and outscored 28-5 by the Yankees. It was a total embarrassment that even caught the attention of late night TV.
Heading into Friday night's game at Yankee Stadium, the Cubs were 0-12 against the Yankees in New York all-time in their franchise history.
In addition to that crazy losing streak to the Yankees, Jameson Taillon began Friday with a 6.93 ERA, which was the second worst ERA from any starting pitcher this year with at least 60 innings pitched and the worst in the National League.
The Cubs were 2-12 in Taillon's 14 starts, which included eight in a row to begin the season.
So of course, Taillon had his best start of the season and one of the best starts of his entire career against his former team on Friday. The veteran righty mowed down the Yankees' lineup, only giving up one hit, a single to Gleyber Torres in the first inning, and two walks. Taillon tossed 8 shutout innings and struck out four, as he earned his third victory of the season with a brilliant performance.
Taillon also became the first pitcher to throw at least 8 innings and allow 1 or fewer hits in Yankee Stadium as an opposing starter since 2006.
The gem also snapped the 12-game losing streak in New York against the Yankees for the Cubs.
Cody Bellinger Still On Fire
Cody Bellinger is all the way back. After missing a month on the injured list with a knee injury, the left-handed hitter has been on fire at the plate since June 24. He entered Friday with a career-high, 12-game hitting streak, slashing .467/.479/.600, going 21-for-45 at the plate.
In his first game at Yankee Stadium, Bellinger blasted a home run for the second game in a row.
Bellinger added a single and a walk, ending the night 2-for-3, with the home run and two runs scored. After some struggles in May before his injury stint, Bellinger's season slash line is back up to .303/.359/.502.
Nico Clutch
I'm not sure there's any other hitter you want at the plate when you need to drive in a run on the Cubs than Nico Hoerner. He's batting .329 with runners in scoring position this season and he came up with another clutch hit against the Yankees to help the Cubs win.
With two outs and runners at the corners in the fifth inning, Hoerner singled off Carlos Rodon to drive in Trey Mancini from third base, giving the Cubs a little more breathing room.
Patrick Wisdom added an RBI-double in the seventh inning, Nice to see Wisdom finally get a hit.
Meanwhile, Adbert Alzolay recorded his sixth save of the season. The Cubs are now 41-46.
