Great Pitching, Timely Hitting Complete Cubs' Season Sweep Over White Sox

Entering Saturday's season finale between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, the two teams played their ways to a trio of 7-6 finals with the North Siders taking the spoils. On Saturday, the two teams would have a chance to do something hysterically crazy by running it back for a fourth time. That said, Justin Steele was on the bump for the Cubs, surely preventing the White Sox from plating anywhere close to six runs.

Tale of the Tape

As noted, Justin Steele took the hill for the Cubs on Saturday against RHP Chris Flexen for the South Siders. Despite the edge going to the Cubs on the mound, the White Sox were the first to strike on the scoreboard.

In the second inning, Miguel Vargas began the frame by reaching on a fielding error by Nico Hoerner. Following the play, Korey Lee singled to give the White Sox a pair of runners with no outs. Although Corey Julks grounded into a forceout at third base, the White Sox still found themselves with two on and one out. Brooks Baldwin delivered a clutch RBI single to plate the first run of the game.

Unfortunately for the Sox, a Lenyn Sosa strikeout and Luis Robert Jr. lineout ended the threat against the Cubs' ace.

The Cubs were largely kept at bay by Flexen, but finally struck in the top of the fifth. After quick outs from Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger singled to keep the hopes alive. Then, Isaac Paredes delivered a double into the left-field corner, scoring Bellinger all the way from first and tying the game. The double was Paredes' 22nd of the season.

With the score knotted at one, both starters had solid days. Flexen pitched 4.0 scoreless innings with four walks and just one strikeout. As for Steele, the ace pitched 6.0 innings with just the one unearned run, six hits, and two walks while striking out eight.

In the eighth, the Cubs finally found a quality chance to take the lead. Nico Hoerner led things off with a walk, and Dansby Swanson swatted a single. Pete Crow-Armstrong moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt, putting two runners in scoring position for Miguel Amaya.

Early in the season, the Cubs' catcher was abysmal at the plate. Lately, he's been so much better. On Saturday, he got to be the hero. Amaya singled into left field, scoring both Cubs runners and giving them a 3-1 lead late in the contest.

After Steele's quality start, Porter Hodge, Jorge Lopez, and Hector Neris finished things off. Hodge got the win, and Neris recorded his 17th save in the Cubs' 3-1 win to cap off the season sweep of the White Sox.

The Cubs Took Care of Business

At the end of the day, despite the White Sox making it hard on the Cubs, the North Siders got away with a four-games season sweep. The first three games were far more exciting, ending in a 7-6 final each time, but the final game felt like your typical baseball game. Regardless, the Cubs picked up wins and find themselves in a great place entering their series with the Cleveland Guardians.

Following the game, the Cubs find themselves 3.5 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot, and one game below .500. The Guardians are leading the AL Central, meaning a tough three-game set is ahead. However, the Cubs have surely played themselves into a playoff chance late in the season as the offense, bullpen, and starting rotation are finding their stride at the same time.

What's On Tap Next?

The Cubs open three games with the Guardians in Cleveland on Monday. All three games will begin at 5:40 p.m. CDT as the Cubs plan on sending LHP Shota Imanaga, RHP Javier Assad, and RHP Jameson Taillon to the hill , respectively, each game.

Subscribe to On Tap Sports Net on YouTube , and the Cubs On Tap podcast and Dingers: A Chicago Cubs Podcast for more Chicago Cubs content, updates, and hot takes!