Astros Win Games 1&2 - Cubs Continue 19-Year Trend of Surprise NL Champs Struggling

 

The Statis-Pro Chicago Cubs had only a .515 winning percentage before the surprise run through the NL playoffs and into the World Series. However, based on the Astros won the first two games of our Statis-Pro World Series - dominating to such an extent that they allowed only six hits in two games EXCEPT for the Cubs almost pulling out a miracle comeback with three homers off ace reliever Ryan Pressly in Game 1.

It appears the Cubs may be following pattern of surprise NL champs then getting blown out in the Series.

In the last 19 years, half of the eight teams that were swept or won only one game in the World Series were NL champs who failed to have even a .560 winning percentage before a surprising playoff run through the NL to the World Series. The Phillies almost joined them with only two wins last year.

2023 - Arizona 84-78 then lost 4 games to 1

2022 – Philadelphia 87-75 then lost 4 games to 2

2015 – New York Mets 90-72 then lost 4 games to 1

2007 – Colorado 90-73 then lost 4 games to 0

2005 – Houston 89-73  then lost 4 games to 0

The Astros juggernaut rolls on.  Ten straight wins in the postseason.

In game one, the Cubs turned out to be rusty with a couple of errors that allowed three unearned runs to score.

Jose Altuve continued his hot playoff run with his 4th home run (hitting .341) and Yordan Alvarez finally got his first postseason homer this year.

The Astros almost gave it up in the ninth.  A stubborn manager kept Pressly in as he gave up three solo homers. (Wisdom, Suzuki, Morel)   Bryan Abreu came in for the final out save.

In game two, a beautiful pitcher’s duel.  Both Justin Verlander and Marcus Stroman threw seven shutout innings.

Finally, in the bottom of the 8th, Kyle Tucker came through with a 2-out, 2-run single for all the offense.

In Houston, the Astros held the Cubs offense to a .136 average (9-66).  The Cubs failed to get a hit with a runner in scoring position in two games.