Cardinals have a really good defensive team. But the Cubs made some plays and the Cardinals missed some today.
1. Cubs scored their 2nd run on a passed-ball by Molina. He just whiffed on a pitch inside to Alcantara. Wouldn't have mattered anyway, if what followed played out the same, because Alcantara followed with a triple anyway. But, sometimes pitch choice and swing choices aren't exactly the same if circumstances differ even slightly.
2. Moline threw away pickoff attempt to let Alcantara score. Again, there was only one out, and Happ followed with a single anyway. So it probably didn't matter really. Still, too bad plays by Molina.
3. 7th, Heyward hit high chopper. Goldschmidt trying to rush missed it. I don't think he'd have been able to get him anyway, so it probably didnt matter anyway, but not 100% sure. Heyward subsequently scored the winning run.
4. Heyward scored the tie-breaking run on Joc's double off the wall. Again, it probably wouldn't have mattered, because Heyward would have still tagged and scored. But Edmans goofed Joc's double. He went to the wall, had time to spare, and the ball hit the doors shoulder- or head-high. Totally weird. If he's simply been over a step, he could have easily just reached up and caught it. But for whatever reason he was just a step or two off to the right of where the ball came down. Watch the replay if you can, it's really weird. I don't get what or why he did what he did, that was totally a catchable fly ball but he was just off to the side, and had plenty of time to have positioned himself or repositioned himself better.
Cubs made a couple of really good plays. Wisdom caught a backhand bouncer down the line, and made a very strong throw to 1st. In the 6th with the Cards up 5-4, Javy made a fantastic turn on a DP. Kind of a high bouncer to Nance, and Javy was shifted so coming from the 2B side. HIs quickness in getting the ball out and the throw off, all arm and with no momentum, great play. I totally didn't think they'd get two on that one. He made a nice play in the 9th, too, charging on soft grounder with a really quick transfer and throw. Really nice play.