The Chicago Cubs dominated the San Francisco Giants 9-2 Monday night, powered by key performances from Carson Kelly, Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, and Matthew Boyd. But the story goes beyond just the score.
Matthew Boyd delivered a strong outing, pitching six innings and allowing only two runs while striking out seven without issuing a walk. His steady arm helped the Cubs secure their fourth win in five games and maintain their position atop the NL Central
Offensively, Carson Kelly sparked a crucial five-run sixth inning with his eighth home run of the season, marking the most homers by a Cubs catcher through 20 games since 192. Dansby Swanson continued his hot streak, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, batting an impressive .462 over his last seven games. Ian Happ added a three-run homer and a sacrifice fly, contributing significantly to the Cubs’ offensive explosion
The Giants struggled defensively, with shortstop Willy Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman each committing two costly errors, leading to six unearned runs for Chicago. Despite a two-run homer by Luis Matos that briefly tied the game in the fourth, the Giants couldn’t keep pace with the Cubs’ relentless offense
The Cubs’ bullpen closed out the game effectively, and Chicago looks poised to continue their strong run as they head into the rest of the series. The Giants will turn to Justin Verlander for a rebound effort in the next game, while the Cubs will counter with Colin Rea
This game showcased not just power hitting but also capitalizing on opponent mistakes, a formula that has the Cubs firing on all cylinders early in the season.
