Cubs 5, Angels 1: Justin, the man of Steele

It’s been noted by many that Justin Steele had not posted a win in any of his previous 12 starts in 2024. That streak also went back into 2023, as he didn’t post a victory in his final four starts last year.

All of that came to an end with a breathtaking complete-game performance from Steele, who retired the last 13 Angels he faced, allowed just two hits and a run, and the Cubs won the series opener 5-1. It was the first CG of Steele’s MLB career.

BCB’s JohnW53 reminded me, and I will remind you, that this was the Cubs’ first complete game since Marcus Stroman threw a one-hit shutout against the Rays May 29, 2023. Kyle Hendricks threw a CG and allowed a run against the Dodgers in 2021, but that was a seven-inning game, part of a doubleheader. Before Friday, the last Cubs pitcher to throw a nine-inning CG in which he allowed a run was Cole Hamels, who did it Aug. 23, 2018 against the Reds.

Beyond the excellent pitching of Steele, the Cubs provided a varied offense that included going 3-for-10 with RISP, and some outstanding defensive plays. Let’s look at all of those.

The defense began on the very first pitch of the game. Maybe Miles Mastrobuoni can’t hit much (though he did have a double in this game), but he can certainly flash some glove [VIDEO].

Then the Cubs got to work at the bat. The first two Cubs flied to left in the bottom of the first, then Cody Bellinger singled.

Seiya Suzuki went oppo to make it 2-0 [VIDEO].

Two more Cubs reached base in the first, Ian Happ by walk and Christopher Morel by single, but they were stranded. Still, nice to see the Cubs continuing to hit.

The Cubs made it 3-0 in the third. Michael Busch walked and advanced to second on a ground out. Then Busch was balked to third, where he scored on this single by Happ [VIDEO].

While all this was going on, Steele was mowing down Angels hitters. After a one-out walk in the first, he retired 10 in a row, the 10th on this slick play by Dansby Swanson [VIDEO].

The next play should have ended the fourth inning, but Suzuki dropped a catchable fly ball. That was followed by a walk, then the inning ended on another nice play by Mastrobuoni [VIDEO].

Then came the only glitch in Steele’s game. He allowed a one-out single in the fifth to Keston Hiura — who was playing in his very first game with the Angels, after being a pest to the Cubs for years with the Brewers. That broke up any no-hit thoughts. Hiura advanced to second on an infield out and scored on a single by Turner Ward to make the score 3-1.

The Cubs got that run back in the bottom of the inning. Busch led off with a double and two outs later, scored on this single by Happ [VIDEO].

That made seven straight times reaching base for Happ, dating back to Thursday’s game. That streak ended in the seventh, but Happ is one hot hitter right now.

The Cubs’ final run of the afternoon scored in the sixth. With two out, Tomas Nido bounced an automatic double into the seats in left and scored on this single by Nico Hoerner [VIDEO].

And the rest of the game was dominated by Steele. After the RBI single by Ward in the fifth, Steele set the remaining 13 Angels down in order, with just one ball (a fly to left in the ninth) leaving the infield. He kept having quick, six- or seven-pitch innings, which is undoubtedly why Craig Counsell left him in to finish. There was one more slick play by Mastrobuoni, this one in the eighth [VIDEO].

Here’s Steele’s seventh K, this one ended the eighth [VIDEO].

And in the ninth, the fly to left led off the inning, then an infield popup.

With the 36,948 at Wrigley all on their feet, here’s how Steele ended the game [VIDEO].

Fun facts from BCB’s JohnW53:

The last time Justin Steele went eight innings, Sept. 4, 2023, was the last time he won a game, at home vs. the Giants.

That day, he gave up no runs on two hits, both singles, walked two and struck out 12.

Today: one run on two hits, both singles, walked two and struck out seven.

Cubs won that game last year, 5-0. Suzuki homered.

Today, they won, 5-1. Suzuki homered.

Beyond the magnificence of Steele, who threw 95 pitches (68 strikes), this is the first time the Cubs have won consecutive games in more than two weeks (June 18 and 19 over the Giants). It’s only two games, but what we’ve seen in those games is a lot closer to the Cubs team I thought we were getting this year. Let’s hope things continue along these lines.

The Cubs will go for the series win Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Kyle Hendricks will start for the Cubs and lefthander Tyler Anderson will go for the Angels. Game time is again 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.