NLDS Game 3: Cubs power past Cardinals 8-6

Heading into Monday night’s Game 3 at Wrigley Field, the story revolved around one man, and how one man would impact the outcome of Game 3, and potentially the series.

Yet with the wind blowing out, a different script was written for Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs, as Arrieta was on the hook for five hits and four earned runs, including a pivotal two-run shot from St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jason Heyward. While that home run made the score 5-4 in favor of the Cubs, Chicago’s power surge continued through the Cardinals bullpen, as they were able to hold on for an 8-6 victory, giving the Cubs a 2-1 series lead, and a chance to clinch Tuesday afternoon at home.

The rookie-led Cubs set an MLB postseason record for home runs in a game with six, coming off the bats of Kyle Schwarber, Starlin Castro, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jorge Soler and Dexter Fowler respectively. Chicago jumped on St. Louis starter Michael Wacha early on, forcing 90 pitches over 4.1 innings, in which he surrendered six hits and four earned runs, including three homers.

While the Cardinals found some success off of Arrieta, snapping his scoreless innings streak at 34, they were unable to jump on the Cubs’ bullpen until Stephen Piscotty launched a two-out, two run home run in the ninth inning, putting the Cards within two. Yet with rough relief outings throughout the pen, including home runs allowed by four of the five Cards’ hurlers, the damage done to Jake Arrieta proved to fall short.

Perhaps the largest difference maker in Monday night’s battle was the resurgence of Cubs sluggers Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, who both snapped hitless streaks to begin the postseason. Even with the monumental Game 3 victory, there remains cause for concern in Chicago, as starting shortstop Addison Russell left the game in the bottom of the fourth with tightness in his left hamstring. His status for Game 4 is currently unknown.

These two teams will play Tuesday afternoon in an elimination game for the Cardinals, as John Lackey and Jason Hammel are scheduled to start. Lackey will be starting on three days rest, following up a stellar Game 1 outing, which saw Lackey toss 7.1 innings of two-hit, shutout baseball at Busch Stadium.