default-cbs-image

A big part of the Cubs' longshot ninth-inning comeback against the Giants in Game 4 of the NLDS on Tuesday (CHC 6, SF 5) was of course this clutch, go-ahead single by Javier Baez off Hunter Strickland ...

As you may have noticed, Baez after ripping that Strickland fastball for a base knock seemed to take particular enjoyment in what had just happened and then stare out at the mound for a bit. There's a reason for that ...

The pitcher was of course Strickland. At this point, it's worth noting that Strickland in Game 3 buzzed Baez at the belt level after he -- i.e., Baez -- earlier in the game seemed to linger in admiration of a couple of well-struck baseballs. At one point, Baez and Sergio Romo seemed to exchange words/gestures after a strikeout. Baez, in addition to having power and excellent fielding chops, is not short on exuberance. As you know, that sometimes doesn't sit well with opposing pitchers, who forever seem on the lookout for perceived slights.

Speaking of which, Strickland has previously shown some "intensity" on this front. You'll recall his outburst during the course of his disastrous 2014 World Series (which his Giants of course won anyway) ...

And you may also recall that in September, when the Giants blew a bushel of ninth-inning leads, Strickland took it out on his quads ...

So that's the pitcher who may have stared at Javy Baez during the course of the Giants' ninth-inning core-reactor meltdown on Tuesday night. The story checks out, possibly.