The Cubs won the series opener behind just enough power hitting and a powerful pitching performance that saw Craig Counsell lift his starter after just 58 pitches and no real trouble brewing. Matthew Boyd looked like the pitcher who was featured heavily in Cy Young conversations earlier in the season, but Counsell has spoken more than once about the need to get 27 outs by any means necessary.
That means turning to Andrew Kittredge, who worked the 8th yesterday and has five saves for the Cubs, as the opener this afternoon. The righty has only started 15 games in his career, none since opening four times for the Rays in 2021, but Counsell checked with him following Game 1 to make sure he was good to go.