May 18: Rockies @ Cubs WPA Recap (Game 40)

As always, stats and charts from Fangraphs.

Cubs' MVP: James Russell (.167 WPA)
After Esmalin Caridad walked the only batter he faced, Russell pitched a perfect seventh inning, striking out two and preserving the Cubs' 3-2 lead.

Rockies' MVP: Todd Helton (.147 WPA)
Helton hit a two run homer to chase Carlos Silva in the seventh inning. In terms of WPA it was the biggest hit of the game (.161).

Cubs' LVP: Esmalin Caridad (-.070 WPA)
Caridad walked his only batter in the seventh. Not an abysmal performance by any means, but he earned the lowest Cubs' WPA last night.

Rockies' LVP: Seth Smith (-.182)
Smith went 0-4, and also grounded into a double play immediately after Carlos Gonzalez led off the game with a single.

Biggest Hit of the Game For the Team That Actually Won
With nobody out and a man on first, Marlon Byrd singles in the fourth inning for .105 WPA. Whatever.

Worst Out(s) of the Game
In the top of the fourth with a man on first and nobody out, Troy Tulowitzki grounds into a double play. (-.090 WPA).

Play of the Game
This:


The Cubs were in command throughout most of the game. Helton's home run made things interesting, but the Cubs' bullpen shut things down while the offense gave them some breathing room. No, that last sentence was not a typo.