A fantastic matchup between pitchers with an 11 year age difference, the Cubs topped the Braves 1-0. Ending the Braves 14 game win streak, as well as the Cubs 10 game loss streak.
Charlie Morton was nails, a brilliant performance from the 38 year old right hander, who is aging like fine wine. Morton went 7 innings allowing only 3 hits. He also only allowed 2 hard hit balls. While striking out 9 and collecting 21 swings and misses, 12 of which came on his 3000+ RPM curveball. Morton threw 37 curveballs versus the Cubs and had a CSW of 49%. This year his curveball has 41% more horizontal break than the league average curveball. Morton’s fantastic outing was followed up by A.J. Minter who allowed the only run of the game in his inning of work.
Keegan Thompson had an extremely similar outing to Charlie Morton. Thompson went 6 innings allowing only 2 hits and 2 walks. While striking out 9 and gathering 18 swings and misses, 17 of which came on his 4-seamer and cutter combination. His 4-seamer has a -1.2 RV/100 and his cutter has a -0.6 RV/100. The reason that his 4-seamer and cutter combination has worked so well for him is the horizontal movement on his cutter. His cutter has 161% more horizontal break than the league average cutter. Thompson’s cutter has the 20th most horizontal movement of all cutters in the league. Mychal Givens, Chris Martin, and David Robertson all threw scoreless appearances in relief.
Orlando Arcia had the only extra base hit in the entire game for either side, in the form of a 5th inning double. Ronald Acuna Jr. had the only other hit for the Braves.
Willson Contreras, Nico Hoerner, and Andrelton Simmons each had a hit for the Cubs. The Cubs offense scored the only run of the game, winning despite only having a .090 xBA as a team.