Remember yesterday when I wrote that these games were “taking on a sad sameness”?

It felt like déjà vu all over again, to steal a Yogi Berra-ism, over the first few innings of Saturday’s game. But Kyle Tucker started a rally in the eighth with a leadoff single and the Cubs defeated the Pirates 3-1.

Let’s begin at the beginning.

Good starting pitching? Check. Shōta Imanaga was magnificent for seven innings, allowing just a fourth-inning homer to Pham and just two other hits. He got some defensive help; check out this nice leaping grab by Dansby Swanson in the third [VIDEO].

Offense moribund? Check. The Cubs had two hits over the first three innings, both erased on double plays.

The Cubs equaled Pham’s home run in the bottom of the fourth. Kyle Tucker singled with one out and advanced t

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