Cubs 14, Twins 9

In Postgame by berselius74 Comments

OSS: Cubs hit 17 singles to outlast Twins in brutal heat.

Three up:

  1. Almora, Zobrist, Bote, and Heyward all had big games by WPA on the back of a combined 10-14 with four walks. They were smart enough to make all of those hits singles, as running in this game was not a good idea given that four players, including Almora, left due to heat-related issues.
  2. Only three walks for Tyler Chatwood! #Progress. We’ll ignore the seven runs since he was in line for the win when he left the ball game. Clearly this is a guy who knows how to win.
  3. Pedro Strop got five outs without giving up a run, which is better than pretty much any other pitcher could say in this game with these conditions.

Three down:

  1. I listened to this game on the radio, and even I felt like I was sweating just listening to it. I wonder how hot it would have to get before MLB would consider postponing. I’m sure Rangers fans can relate.
  2. Duensing still looks kind of bad, though it’s hard to take anything away from this particular game.
  3. Given the temps and the length of this game, I’m guessing we get more of Chris Giminez tomorrow.

Next up: The Cubs go for the sweep with Jon Lester on the mound against old punching bag Lance Lynn. Given how much Lester sweats in April games, the grounds crew is going to need to install a bucket next to the mound.

Share this Post

Comments

  1. tablet dave

    If you had Almora and Heyward carrying this offense, please step forward and claim your prize.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  2. dmick89

    tablet dave,

    It’s been fun to watch those two step up. I have a feeling that if the Cubs don’t start getting significant production from Rizzo and Bryant that they don’t have much of a chance of reaching the playoffs.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  3. dmick89

    Baez: 2.3
    Bryant: 2.3
    Schwarber: 2.3
    Zobrist, 2.2
    Russell: 2.1
    Almora, Jr.: 2.1
    Contreras: 2.0
    Heyward: 1.4
    Happ: 1.2
    Rizzo: 0.9

    Heyward and Rizzo are the only starters who don’t have at least 2 fWAR. It would be nice if they had a couple standouts, but this is pretty solid production up and down the lineup.

    All of the above have a wRC+ of at least 106 (Rizzo). Russell’s is 107. Even Happ, for as ridiculously bad as he can look at times, has a wRC+ of 116.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  4. dmick89

    On the other hand, Lester is the only pitcher with more than 0.6 fWAR. Lester has 1.1. Coming in at 2nd, 3rd and 4th on the team in fWAR are Edwards, Cishek and Strop.

    This rotation sucks.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  5. Rice Cube

    dmick89,

    I don’t think they’ve hit their stride yet and by the end of the season, they will overall not suck. But I’m pretty hopeful.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  6. andcounting

    dmick89,

    That’s actually the biggest source of hope from my perspective. Heyward has improved but only to the level of the most modest expectations we would have had for him. Almora has been good, but not to any stratospheric levels. Baez is playing out of his mind at times but, again, not to a level of cumulative outrageousness that seems unsustainable. The trend you would most expect to see change significantly would be the relative disappointment of Bryant and Rizzo.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  7. Author
    berselius

    Great work by the offense to give Lester time to cool down after circling the bases (dying laughing)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  8. andcounting

    Lester has significantly improved at the plate since joining the Cubs. He’s not Zambrano yet, but good DeRosa he was awful when he got here. He was better at throwing to first than he was at swinging the bat three years ago. Also RIZZO!

      Quote  Reply

    2

    0
  9. Author
    berselius

    Lester homering twice in this inning would be the real capper on this series (dying laughing).

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  10. Rizzo the Rat

    It just seems like bad planning to have Morrow hitting there with La Stella on the bench.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

Leave a Comment