NLDS Game 5: Michael Taylor stings the Cubs with his bat again

Michael Taylor stung the Cubs with his bat in Game 4 and he was at it again Thursday night in Game 5.

When all is said and done in the 2017 NLDS between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals, the city of Chicago may never want to hear the name of Michael Taylor ever again. After putting things to bed with a grand slam in Game 4 for the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon, Taylor was at it again on Thursday night in the decisive Game 5.

The Cubs got off to a quick start on the road Thursday night when they took a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Nationals would quickly answer back in the second inning, though, with a solo home run off the bat of Daniel Murphy. Okay, all good for the Cubs still, the game is just tied.

But a short while later with two men on, Taylor sent a blast to left field that would give the Nationals a 4-1 lead in this must-win game.

And just like that, the defending world champion Cubs now have their backs firmly against the wall as they can see their hopes for a second World Series title slipping away. Now they have to fight back in this one with their bats on the road, which is no easy task for any team when it comes playoff time.

Kyle Hendricks was phenomenal in his first start against the Nationals in this series, but he struggled through his first two innings in Game 5. Through two, he gave up 4 earned runs on 6 hits, including the home runs to Murphy and Taylor. That’s never a good sign when you get a performance like that out of the guy whose hands you put the ball in to save your season.

Or, then again, maybe Michael Taylor just has a vendetta against the Cubs for some reason.