Weekend Series Wrapup 7/11-7/13
The final weekend before the All-Star break saw some surprising results and dominant performances, with the Cubs taking a key series in New York and the Dodgers ending their long losing streak in San Francisco. Here’s a look at how the marquee matchups played out.
1. Chicago Cubs take 2 of 3 from the New York Yankees
Friday (NYY 11-0): The Yankees opened the series with a thunderous statement, blowing out the Cubs in an 11-0 rout.
Saturday (CHC 5-2): The Cubs bounced back effectively, evening the series with a solid 5-2 victory.
Sunday (CHC 4-1): In the rubber match, Shota Imanaga was brilliant for the Cubs, pitching seven sparkling innings and striking out Aaron Judge twice to lead Chicago to a 4-1 series-clinching win.
Series Recap: After a humbling blowout on Friday, the Cubs showed their resilience by winning the next two games. This was a significant road series win for Chicago against a tough opponent. The player to watch, Aaron Judge, was kept in check, especially on Sunday by Imanaga.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers take 2 of 3 from the San Francisco Giants
Friday (SF 8-7): The series opener was a back-and-forth thriller, with the Giants narrowly out-slugging the Dodgers to hand them their seventh straight loss.
Saturday (LAD 2-1): The Dodgers finally snapped their losing streak in a tight pitcher's duel. Shohei Ohtani was effective on the mound, and the Dodgers' offense did just enough to secure a much-needed victory.
Sunday (LAD 5-2): The Dodgers carried the momentum into Sunday, winning the series finale to take the series from their rivals.
Series Recap: A huge weekend for the Dodgers, who desperately needed to stop their slide. Winning the final two games on the road in a hostile environment was a major confidence booster heading into the All-Star break.
3. San Diego Padres take 2 of 3 from the Philadelphia Phillies
Friday (SD 4-2): The Padres took the first game of the series with a solid 4-2 win.
Saturday (SD 5-4): San Diego clinched the series victory with a narrow 5-4 win in another close game.
Sunday (PHI 2-1): The Phillies managed to avoid the sweep, salvaging the final game with a 2-1 victory.
Series Recap: This was a disappointing series for the Phillies, who have been one of the league's best teams. The Padres, on the other hand, picked up a huge series win at home against a top contender, providing a significant boost before the break.
Other Notable Series Results:
The St. Louis Cardinals took 2 of 3 from the Atlanta Braves.
The Seattle Mariners swept the Detroit Tigers in a 3-game series.