Nothing wakes me up in the morning more than the smell of fresh coffee, sizzling bacon, and #MadOnline baseball fans.
Ahhhh yes, the Brewers must be playing the Cubs again.
But “don’t call it a rivalry.”
At least that’s what former Chicago Cubs’ pitcher Cole Hamels said three years ago in an attempt to throw major shade at the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s safe to say Mr. Hamels couldn’t be any more wrong about that. Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last month-ish or so, you’ve probably noticed that things between these two teams have never been hotter than they are right now.
To begin to understand just what has been fueling this somewhat contentious fire, let’s go back to see where it all started, shall we?
The tension really began to heat up between the Brewers and Cubs during the team’s first matchup of this season back on April 5.
Willson Contreras–notably dubbed the new Manny Machado of MKE by our friend Adam McCalvy–got hit in the helmet by Devin Williams. Williams, who was still working his way back after missing a good chunk of spring training, immediately reacted in total shock and horror. Contreras was understandably a little shaken by the pitch, but was okay and made his way to first base.
Take two happened the very next night when Contreras was hit yet again (albeit this was after he intentionally and clearly tried to lean into a pitch in the strike zone). This time, however, Contreas didn’t react as calmly as he did the night before. He charged the mound and shared some not-so-nice words with Brewers’ pitcher Brad Boxberger.
Although Conteras said had no intention of charging the mound, he wanted to make it known he was upset as he put up two fingers and could be seen saying “This is the second game in a row.” Both teams cleared their benches and bullpens as a result, but thankfully the situation didn’t escalate any further.
Getting hit by pitches is nothing new for Contreras.
He’s been hit by a lot of pitches in his career, especially recently, and especially against the Brewers. In the shortened 2020 season, he was hit by pitches 14 times, the most in the league. In his last 11 games against the Brewers, Contreras has been hit six times. That being said, it’s important to note that Contreras stands closer to the plate than most. It’s not unusual to see him diving into pitches at times.
Enter in the weirdness of the second game of the homestead series.
Contreras was once again hit by ANOTHER pitch – this time by a check swing on a pitch from Woodruff that was high and tight. An inning later, Ryan Tepera and the Cubs pitched inside, too. Very, very inside.
Tepera’s first pitch to Woodruff, a right-handed pitcher but left-handed batter, went right behind Woodruff’s legs. At 94 MPH no less. Woodruff was obviously shaken up, as anyone who just almost got hit by a fastball going the speed of a train would be. Contreras said the pitch caught him off guard too, that he didn’t know anything about it. But as a catch whose sole job is to know those things, I personally find that hard to believe.
Before they got back to playing, Woodruff and Contreras talked briefly, and Contreras patted Woodruff on the backside. Baseball was back on.
But how in the heck did Woodruff keep his cool?
“Credit to my parents,” he said.
That’s our guy.
Upon review of Tepera’s throw, the MLB issued a three-game suspension and a fine for him. Cubs manager David Ross also received a one-game suspension and a fine for that pitch.
Contreras did get the final laugh though, belting a two-run homer off of Brent Suter in the eighth inning of the game which ultimately secured a 3-2 Cubs victory.
And boy did he ever make sure to savor every second of it.
I love Willson Contreras and his bat flips so much. 🔥
(📸: @Cubs) pic.twitter.com/pZVHci8fVS
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) April 14, 2021
“It feels good to shut them up,” Contreras told ESPN after the Cubs 3-2 win. “When they boo me, I don’t really care. But don’t get sensitive when I do something like that.”
These two teams will have the opportunity to try and resolve unfinished business a lot this month.
They played their series finale on Wednesday, April 14 where the Brewers absolutely dominated, taking a huge win over the Cubs 7-0. *Future Cy Young award-winner* Corbin Burnes gave another immaculate performance on the mound, and at the plate. Burnes is now the first player since 1906 to have 40 Ks and 0 walks in his first 4 starts.
Woof.
This time, it wasn’t Contreras who was silencing the fans – it was Burnes. For all the right reasons.
The Brewers and Cubs will meet again at Wrigley Field from April 23-25.
One thing is for certain: the infamous I-94 battle is just beginning to brew.
And I, for one, can’t wait to see what happens next.
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