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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta reacts after throwing his first career no-hitter during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015, in Los Angeles. The Cubs won 2-0. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
It was a big game for a Chicago sports team, on a natonal stage nonetheless, so we all saw the “why do the announcers hate us” and “the ump sucks” messages all throughout all social media. While we all saw those, which you should do yourself a favor and pay no attention to them, there was a lot of jumping off the ledge and pushing the panic button from supposed Chicago Cubs fans as well. For those about to leap off the bandwagon, I have a message for you…
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All it takes is one win in Cleveland and the Cubs will steal home field advantage back – with the next three games in Chicago. The Cubs have lost games in the playoffs, they have even gone down a game and came back to win the series – in these playoffs.
If you want reassurance, look no further than game two starters – Jake Arrieta and Trevor Bauer.
While there is reason to be a bit reserved with Jake, he has yet to give up more than 4 runs in any playoff game. Bauer on the other hand owns a career 4.42 ERA and 5.79 mark in this year’s playoffs. Trevor has a tendency to work up in the zone, and when he is off he will get pounced. Heck, when he is on he can get hit hard. He really doesn’t get many swings and misses – even with swing and miss stuff. 
The Solace Cubs fans can take in tonight’s game is, Bauer would have to pitch better than normal and Jake would have to be bad for the game to shift towards the Indians’ favor. It isn’t absolutely out of question for Arrieta to be bad, but there’s a lot more likelihood for Bauer to have struggles over Arrieta’s truffles to result in more than 4 runs.
I would absolutely guess that game two is a higher scoring affair, but assuming Andrew Miller isn’t an option today – that works to Chicago’sports favor. The Cubs hit better, play better defense, and outside of Miller – have a better bullpen. So just relax Cubs fans, this will be tied 1-1 coming back to the friendly confines.
