Improved Box Score: Cubs 5, Cardinals 1 – July 12, 2024

The Cubs continue to roll with their fifth straight win. In theory, it was also the toughest matchup of this Cardinals series, with Sonny Gray pitching very well overall and Kyle Hendricks struggling.

I don’t know how he does it, but Hendricks is ALWAYS READY to beat the Cardinals. The year could be 2057, and the Cubs better call up a 68-year-old Kyle Hendricks to make a big start against the Cardinals at some point. With seven shutout innings, and never really looking stressed, Hendricks is The Ankin Law “Making It Personal” Player of the Game.

Offensively, kudos to Nico Hoerner for coming through twice with a runner on third and less than two outs, and David Bote for the two-run double that felt like the exclamation point. Bote was there for Myles Mastrobuoni, who also had a good night. Look at those guys. And a hit for everyone in the lineup except Michael Busch, who deservedly had a tough night.

One bad moment to note from the game, with Luke Little having to drop out midway through his innings with an injury. No speculation for now, but he certainly didn’t look comfortable. Considering he had found his way into the circle of confidence and hadn’t scored in his last nine appearances, it was a bummer to see him go. Hopefully it’s nothing serious.

Things got tough in the 9th inning, when Hunter Bigge didn’t look like the guy we saw the first time around. This was on the same night as the Little Thing, with a double-header tomorrow, and it certainly wasn’t ideal. The latter forced the Cubs to use Mark Leiter Jr., the former forced the Cubs to use Hector Neris. You don’t expect to have to use four relievers when your starter gives you seven innings and leaves with a three-run lead, which turns into a five-run lead.

Anyway. For now I’m just celebrating the win and the dominant Hendricks night.

Full score.