Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Angels 1 – July 5, 2024 – Bleacher Nation

THE CHICAGO CUBS HAVE WON BACK-TO-BACK GAMES! DON’T LET ‘EM GET HOT!

All right, so I kid a little, because the Cubs will have to do a WHOLE lot more over the next couple weeks for anyone to really buy in. But I gotta say, they did look the part today. They showed some power, they took advantage of opportunities, they had great pitching, and there were some defensive gems.

Justin Steele took the Cubs on his back for this one, throwing the first complete game of his career, allowing almost nothing. No real stress. Just a dominating, chill outing for the Cubs’ ace. He’s the Ankin Law “Making It Personal” Player of the Game, obviously. And although I hate pointing out pitcher wins and losses, yes, that was Steele’s first “win” of the year (which should remind you have useful that stat isn’t!).

The complete game, and the efficiency – Steele didn’t even require 100 pitches – made for a rare combination in recent Cubs history. Great game.

Offensively, the Cubs got a dinger from Seiya Suzuki, two more clutch hits from Ian Happ, and although they scored only five runs, it kinda felt like more. I suppose that, too, is a credit to Justin Steele.

Bonus nods to Miles Mastrobuoni for a BRILLIANT defensive game. Three outstanding plays at least that I saw.

Full box score.