2018 Chicago Cubs

[shnsajax 3592]

Left way too many RISP early on today -- 0 for 7 on the day.  Gifting the first game of the series to SF came back to bite Chicago.  Should have taken 2 of 3.  Instead, we're on the other side of the coin.

Rizzo is really struggling -- not hitting worth a damn and made two errors in the same inning for the first time in his career on Monday.  Not sure what his problem is, but he needs to figure it out.  I thought he was on his way to breaking out of his slump several weeks ago when he heated up for a week or two, but he's gone right back to his struggling ways.  KB did have a dinger, though.  That's another guy who needs to get it in gear.

 

Shitty first inning by Monty but recovered nicely. Bullpen was really damn good, won’t fault them for the 6th guy getting the loss. 2 losses that had some positives in them.

 

This team needs a good 20 game stretch.

[Goo Punch 4275]

really, really hoping that the all star break is exactly what rizzo needs. he's been inexplicably dreadful.

[Bo 139]

Rizzo with a great night leading off. And El Mago strikes again, the dude makes plays every game. Lots of good close games lately.

[shnsajax 3592]

As Goo always says, Javy is the most exciting player in baseball. Also how is Schwarber ranked last in the Vegas odds for the HR derby. Last I checked a +900. He may not win it, but could easily run to the finals.

[Carl Spackler 3561]

Hopefully that's the kick start Rizzo needs heading into the break.  Clutch hit when down to the last strike. 

[shnsajax 3592]

Hopefully that's the kick start Rizzo needs heading into the break.  Clutch hit when down to the last strike. 

I was ready for him to fake a toe injury and spend 10 days resting before and during the break.

[Dewey 3315]

Anytime Rizzo has struggled, Maddon hits him lead off, things get better. Brilliant.

[Bo 139]

And another one.

[shnsajax 3592]

Baez up to 71 RBI’s.

[Dewey 3315]

How interesting was that first half?

[Goo Punch 4275]

we never had a point during that half where all of our bats were going. in fact rizzo's bat really hasn't gotten going, contreras and schwarber have been streaky and mostly cold, and kb has been hurt. i'm really hoping that the break can do something to wake up out bats for the second half.

Edited July 16, 2018 by Goo Punch

[shnsajax 3592]

we never had a point during that half where all of our bats were going. in fact rizzo's bat really hasn't gotten going, contreras and schwarber have been steamy and mostly cold, and kb has been hurt. i'm really hoping that the break can do something to wake up out bats for the second half.

And they lead the NL in runs, avg, slug, ops, and run differential.

[Goo Punch 4275]

which goes to show how ridiculous our offense could be if everyone could just hit .280.

[Dewey 3315]

Our lineup is sick, remember all the talk about the lead off hitter? Fuck it, throw anyone in there.

[shnsajax 3592]

The best part about the Brewers losing is watching Kato. 

 

[shnsajax 3592]

That was a great final by Schwarber and the future Cub. that’s what Theo loves about Kyle.

[Goo Punch 4275]

 

[Goo Punch 4275]

great ab from heyward there.

[shnsajax 3592]

Heyward with 3 hits tonight and avg up to .291 now.

[shnsajax 3592]

 

I love Willson, one of my favorite players on this team.

[Larry T. Spider 1747]

Fly the W. 

[shnsajax 3592]

Good way to start a 5 game series.

[Goo Punch 4275]

heyward now hitting over .290, and Rizzo's bat has awakened atop the order. all good things.

[shnsajax 3592]

heyward now hitting over .290, and Rizzo's bat has awakened atop the order. all good things.

Just need Hendricks to stop giving up 1st inning runs. I can’t remember, but who was his catcher in ‘16?

[Goo Punch 4275]

9 minutes ago, shnsajax said:

 

Just need Hendricks to stop giving up 1st inning runs. I can’t remember, but who was his catcher in ‘16?

 

montero maybe?

[DanRydell 799]

16 minutes ago, shnsajax said:

 

Just need Hendricks to stop giving up 1st inning runs. I can’t remember, but who was his catcher in ‘16?

 

Montero - 15 games, 95.2 IP, 2.73 ERA, .608 OPSA, 4.8 K/BB

Contreras - 12 games, 71.1 IP, 1.51 ERA, .579 OPSA, 3.35 K/BB

Ross and Federowicz each caught him twice.

[Dewey 3315]

We got an extra reliever last night, theres got to be a big piece coming.

[Dewey 3315]

They cant win every game, but every time I see them trot out our lineup I laugh a little. Who we face'n today Skip? Here ya go

[Goo Punch 4275]

 

Anthony Rizzo dressed up as the walmart yodeling kid. 2018 you crazy.

[Carl Spackler 3561]

Lester may be looking ahead to his charity event.  He got shelled in the second inning.

[Goo Punch 4275]

i talked about how this isn't our year because we lack "professional hitters" in the lineup. Down 5-1 today with the bases loaded and one out, and Baez and Willson, our two All Star hitters, both come up and wildly strike out swinging at terrible pitches. That's why we have no chance this year. 

[Carl Spackler 3561]

4 minutes ago, Goo Punch said:

i talked about how this isn't our year because we lack "professional hitters" in the lineup. Down 5-1 today with the bases loaded and one out, and Baez and Willson, our two All Star hitters, both come up and wildly strike out swinging at terrible pitches. That's why we have no chance this year. 

Yeah, that was brutal.

Carpenter continues to scald Lester.

 

[Carl Spackler 3561]

That's what you get when you walk the pitcher, Dunce-ing.

My God, Carpenter is on a spree.

 

[Goo Punch 4275]

through 4 innings we've had 9 base runners and scored one run.

[shnsajax 3592]

 

 

2 runs now

[shnsajax 3592]

I'm fine with winning 3 in a 5 game series, though it should have been 4. Pirates have now passed the Cards for 3rd in the division. Ready to see this team crack 20 over .500. 4 against Arizona, then travel to St. Louis for 3 and Pittsburgh for 2.

[ChiTownDoc 21284]

I'm such a black cloud any time I post in a Cubs thread...but I can't help but to be excited.  The weakest link is the starters not getting deep into games and come playoffs that weakness is mitigated the way managers use pitchers in the postseason.  It would still be nice to improve on that and have Darvish come back strong but in the NL I like their odds.  

Machado to the Dodgers is a bitch though...

[JimmyHoffa 1188]

Went to the game last night. Basically a throw away game to get the pitching staff some much needed rest. While I know so many question Joe's decisions it was pretty awesome seeing Rizzo throw 2 pitches and get the last out in the 9th. We were sitting right by the 3rd base dugout and was hilarious to see them react after he got the final out. 

Zobrist threw my kid a ball and my other son got one from the guy in front of us. 

Will try to upload a few pictures later tonight. 

 

[shnsajax 3592]

Reports are the Cubs are one of 4 teams in it for Britton (Astros, Yankees, and Red Sox are the others). Makes sense to me as he would offer insurance on Morrow and you just go for a super bullpen as I don't see them being able to add a legit starter. My guess is that the Cubs and Astros are the two favorites since its Baltimore and they won't want to trade in the division even on a rental. Astros can offer a lot more if they want too than we can.

[Disco Missile 456]

On 7/23/2018 at 8:45 AM, shnsajax said:

I'm fine with winning 3 in a 5 game series, though it should have been 4. Pirates have now passed the Cards for 3rd in the division. Ready to see this team crack 20 over .500. 4 against Arizona, then travel to St. Louis for 3 and Pittsburgh for 2.

Frankly the way this season has been going, I can't believe how well we're doing.
Very few things have gone right, and we're leading the division.

[JimmyHoffa 1188]

12 hours ago, Disco Missile said:

Frankly the way this season has been going, I can't believe how well we're doing.
Very few things have gone right, and we're leading the division.

Couldn't agree more. 

Doesn't feel at all like they are playing anywhere close to quality baseball yet are in 1st place. Crazy season. It's a grind but we just need to get a few guys healthy for the stretch run to get ready for the playoffs. 

[Dewey 3315]

It is a grind, a game patience and I'm patiently waiting to see what they do about this staff.

[kopp0e 1135]

Like catching honey in the palm of the hand...

 

[Goo Punch 4275]

Chatwood walks the pitcher to load the bases with two outs. He's a beating to watch.

[Carl Spackler 3561]

I liked the signing of Chatwood as a #5 starter, but his control has been awful.

And can someone explain to me why Brian Duensing is still in the majors?

[Carl Spackler 3561]

Baez got lucky there -- very undisciplined at-bat.

[spystud13 2371]

Of course Bote with a 2-run yack in bot 9 to tie it. 

[shnsajax 3592]

I know there is no room, but David Bote has really earned his place on this team. 

[Goo Punch 4275]

Bote! Helluva day in the field and now a game tying, two-run bomb in the bottom of the ninth! Beautiful stroke!

[spystud13 2371]

And Rizzo just walked that bitch off.