3rd Annual Hangover Game: Cubs 10, Phillies 4

The 2024 National League East Division champions Philadelphia Phillies (93-65) lost the second game of their series against the Chicago Cubs (81-77) 10-4 on Tuesday night.

Bryce Harper gave the Phils an early lead with his 30th home run of the season, but the pitchers chosen for sacrifice after yesterday’s bacchanalia were no match for the sober Cubs.

Rob Thomson tried to confuse Taijuan Walker and get him to pitch well by having Tanner Banks start the game in his place. Walker, however, was undeterred and came into the game in the second inning. He immediately scored all the runners he took from Banks before scoring three runs of his own in the next 1.2 innings.

Kolby Allard wasn’t much better, but he at least finished his at bat, allowing four runs in four innings.

As tradition demands, Stubbs made his obligatory mark on The Hangover Game in the second inning when he made a superman dive to first base to block a bunt to avoid a tag for an RBI single, scoring Nick Castellanos, who hit a double.

Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run bomb in the eighth inning, his 38th of the year.

Austin Hays returned to the lineup for the first time since September 1 after battling kidney disease. He appears to be OK, as he played solidly in left field and had one hit.

With the Brewers winning tonight and the game against the Dodgers still in play, the magic number for a bye in the Wild Card round remains two.

Tomorrow, Cristopher Sanchez will face Javier Assad in the playoff before the team heads to Washington to finish the season.