With Cubs MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong up and the tying run on third base, the Brewers brought in lefty Aaron Ashby to get the final out of the 6th.
The Random Number was the highest in the range, an 88. If they had left Coleman Crow in the game, the right-handed pitcher vs. PCA's LP (left power) rating would have converted the out into a run-scoring single, putting runners on first and third and potentially eliminating the Brewers.
Instead, Ashby got PCA out, and the Brewers later made it 6-3 to force a final game back in Milwaukee. They will go into that game with a depleted bullpen after having to use all five PB 2-8 relievers to make sure the season didn't end at Wrigley.
That puts a lot on the new PB 4-7 card of DL Hall and just two PB 2-7 relievers. At least Hall is a lefty, which helps against the three LP batters among the Cubs' first five hitters.
In Statis-Pro, a left-handed pitcher facing a left-handed batter changes 11-13 from a hit to a strikeout, whether the action is on the batter's or pitcher's card.
Righty vs. righty only changes an 11 to a strikeout.
But when the batter and pitcher throw from opposite sides, an 88 changes from an out to a single with the runner advancing two bases—which is exactly why it took Ashby to stop PCA and the Cubs.
Finale to Follow
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