Taking it on the Chin: Cubs 5 Phillies 1
The runs weren’t unlucky this time and the offense didn’t respond.
Apr 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch (29) scores against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | Matt Marton-Imagn Images For one night, it wasn’t swinging bunts or soft jam shots that killed the Phillies pitching staff. Instead, it was hard contact from the Cubs lineup that plagued Nola’s night.
Aaron Nola walked back to the mound for his second inning of work in Wrigley, after the offense behind him stranded the bases loaded with two outs, and the Cubs bats pounced. Ian Happ smacks a 111. 5 mph rocket in front of Adolis Garcia.
Moisés Ballesteros took the very next pitch right to Garcia again. After a Michael Conforto walk, Nola got one of the best case scenarios when Miguel Amaya got on top of a curveball for a routine double play. The Cubs lineup does not stop after the first seven hitters.
Their eight hole hitter, Pete Crow-Armstrong, recently signed a 115 million dollar extension and played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He worked a walk. Dansby Swanson as their nine hole hitter?