April 19--In the seventh inning of the Cubs-Cardinals game Monday night, a critical error transformed a one-run game into a 5-0 victory.
But unlike so many showdowns of past years, this was a Cardinals miscue that made a big difference as the Cubs capitalized on the way to a cozy win.
The miscue was made by shortstop Alydmys Diaz, who booted a grounder by Jorge Soler before sailing his throw past first base and allowing Kris Bryant to score the second run of the game.
The Cubs added two more runs on a sacrifice fly by Addison Russell and a single by winning pitcher John Lackey.
Despite the Cardinals' dominance over the Cubs during the past five seasons, the Cubs have won nine of their past 13 games against their rivals -- including winning three of four games in the 2015 National League Division Series.
Although the Cubs haven't won a division title since 2008, there's a feeling that they've finally caught the Cardinals when it comes to experience and playing sound in key situations.
"We've become more veteran, and it matters a lot in a ballpark like this, when you're playing them here in an active crowd and a very good team," manager Joe Maddon said. "You have to think properly in the latter part of the game, and I think we caught up experience-wise at the end of last season."
Maddon cited the added experience of Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist, combined with the maturity gained last season by Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.
The next test will occur Tuesday night when they face Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia.
While trying to pitch despite a bout of the flu, Garcia committed a throwing error that led to five runs in the second game of the National League Division Series and sparked the Cubs to three consecutive wins and eliminating the Cardinals.
