Observations: Davies deals, Cubs complete Cards sweep originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Cubs beat the Cardinals 2-0 Sunday night, improving to 38-27 this season.
Here are 10 observations from the game.
1. Zach Davies was practically untouchable in his 6 2/3 innings of work. St. Louis put four baserunners on against him — a single, two walks and double — but failed to score. He struck out six.
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2. Davies’ second time pitching into the seventh inning this season couldn’t have come at a better moment for the Cubs. With no days off until June 23, they’ll need as much length as possible from the rotation to keep the bullpen fresh.
3. Sunday was really a continuation of what has been a really solid stretch for Davies. In his last eight starts, dating back to May 7, he has a 1.83 ERA in 44 1/3 innings
4. St. Louis’ first baserunner of the night didn’t last long, thanks to a heads-up play from Patrick Wisdom. Tyler O’Neill’s 101.6-mph line drive single in the fifth deflected off Wisdom’s glove down the third base line. Wisdom retrieved it and fired a strike to nab O’Neill at second.
5. Joc Pederson continues to be a big part of the Cubs’ success. The left fielder went 0-for-4 but his hard smash off Paul DeJong, ruled an error, got the Cubs on the board in the third, scoring Eric Sogard. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo followed with singles to bring Pederson home.
6. Sergio Alcántara did his best Javy Báez impression with a slick sliding stop in the seventh to retire Nolan Arenado on a grounder. Báez was a late scratch after re-aggravating his right thumb on Saturday.
7. But Arenado offered a few reminders that he owns eight Gold Glove and four Platinum Glove awards. The Cardinals third baseman made two absurd plays on groundballs down the third base line, ranging into foul territory before throwing strikes to first base for the out.
8. Craig Kimbrel worked around a leadoff walk to convert his 18th save in 20 tries this season. He also extended the Cubs' bullpen's scoreless streak to 14 1/3 innings, dating back to Wednesday.
9. Bryant makes playing a different position each night look so effortless. Saturday, he made his first start at third base since April 20. He started in right field Sunday, tracking down a two-out line drive in the eighth with two Cardinals on base to keep them scoreless.
10. Sunday's win pushes the Cubs to 5-1 against St. Louis this season — and 16-2 against the contending Cardinals, Mets, Dodgers and Padres.
On deck: The Cubs fly to New York and open a four-game series with the Mets on Monday. First pitch is 6:10 p.m. CT. Jake Arrieta (5-6, 4.97 ERA) and David Peterson (1-5, 6.32 ERA) are the probable starters.
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