1 Game Up; 5 To Go
While wondering why the Cubs have been able to play so well in September despite the disappearance of Sammy Sosa’s production (.205/.267/.405 in September coming into tonight’s 0-for-4 performance), we could do worse than start with what Kerry Wood has done.
After back-to-back poor performances August 16th and 21st, Wood has made 6 starts after tonight’s game. In those 6 games, Wood is 3-1 and the team is 4-2 (in the two losses, the offense scored a combined 2 runs). Wood has thrown 43 innings in those 6 starts, allowed just 5 runs (4 earned) on 26 hits, 17 walks, and 60 strikeouts. And he’s lowered his ERA from 3.80 to 3.20. It’s a wonderful performance.