Faithful, Too: "Games 63L/64W/65L - I Get It"

If you're going to lose a series 2-1, let it be on the road against the best team in baseball.

Mission accomplished! The Cubs lost their rubber match today in Detroit, but enough about that. Okay, a little about that. The game was over before it started (final: 4-0). The Tigers scored two in the first and that's all they needed. It's the only game of the six that Horton has started that the Cubs have go on to lose. That's what we call "holding the fort" until Shota comes back healthy. As for the first game in the series on Friday night, the Cubs had a true butterfly effect when the Tigers robbed Seiya of a three-run homer that would have put the Cubs up 4-2 in the top of the 8th(great leap to snag the ball from the leaving the yard). Alas, the Tigers would add on another run and win 3-1. Ben Brown had a true start and was actually marvelous again despite getting the L (7 IP, 7 K's, 2 ER's).

The middle game was far more successful, and fortunately for my entertainment value the one game I was able to sit down and watch this weekend (at least the final five innings). The Cubs "decided" to play long ball, hitting five total to the Tigers's one to win 6-1. Seiya made up for that momentum-killing robber homer on Friday night, hitting not one but two homers into the left field stands. PCA hit a solo shot, Buschy stayed hot with another homer (the only non-solo homer of the day), and for good measure, Matt Shaw continued rock solid play since his return from the minors, blasting one into left for the first Cubs home run by a third baseman all season. I know what you're saying: "But, Justin, Matt Shaw has two homers this year!" Ah, but he hit his first one as a pinch hitter. Jamo pitched great going 7 innings himself with 5 K's and one run. Play of the game wasn't even one of those five homers. It was catcher Sean McGuire picking off a Tigers runner in the bottom of the 9th to end the game. Shades of David Ross from year's back.

On to Philly to face a Phillies team that actually won a series against the Cubs in Chicago earlier this season. Fortunately the Cubbies are facing them again at the right time. The Phils have lost five in a row and nine of 10. Let's hope their mis(ph)ortune contines starting Monday. Keep your heads up, Cubbies. Go, Cubs, go!