The Boston Red Sox lost the second game of their three-game set against the Chicago Cubs, 3-1, at Wrigley Field on Saturday.
Boston fell to 43-35 on the season, while Chicago improved to 32-46.
You can view the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
Josh Winckowski might have been dealt the loss, but his pitching performance on Saturday night was the best of his budding career. He made a costly throwing error that resulted in the first run of the game scoring, but he was brilliant on the mound.
The rookie absolutely dominated the Cubs, and if there hadn't been a combination of defensive miscues and poor luck, he would've pitched a shutout. Instead, Winckowski allowed two runs, one earned, and lost due to a brutal performance in the batter's box for Boston. The right-hander allowed six hits in as many innings. Here are the distances of his hits allowed in feet: 160, three, two, two, two, one.
With Garrett Whitlock headed back to the bullpen and injuries to Rich Hill and Nathan Eovaldi, not only has Winckowski earned a spot in the rotation, but he's a shoo-in to remain there for the foreseeable future.
STARS OF THE GAME
-- Winckowski was the best player on the field Saturday, allowing the aforementioned two runs and six hits along with six strikeouts and a walk. He is now 3-2 with a 3.12 ERA on the season.
-- Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a double and scored the lone run for the Red Sox on a night where offense was nearly impossible to come by.
-- Mark Leiter Jr. was thrown into the game just seven pitches into the night, and shoved. Starter Alec Mills recorded just one out before having to leave the game due to injury. Leiter proceeded to pitch 5 1/3 innings with one run allowed, three hits a walk and five strikeouts. He not only saved the bullpen for the remainder of the series, but put the Cubs in a position to win.
WAGER WATCH
Winckowski had -130 odds hit the Over of 3.5 strikeouts against the Cubs on DraftKings Sportsbook. He did so easily, meaning a $130 bet on the right-hander paid out $100.
ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox will close out their series against the Cubs on Sunday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET following an hour of pregame coverage, and you can watch it all on NESN.
