OSS: Rizzo hits two homers into the wind and the Cubs hang on to win
Three up:
- Rizzo was the easy WPA leader in this game, hitting two game-tying solo shots in the first and fourth innings and added a single and IBB in his other two PAs. It's nice to see him finally heating up, and his season line stands at .238/.376/.470 for a .360 wOBA. He has a comically low .221 BABIP. True to 2017 form both homers were solo shots, but as mentioned in the preview it could be worse. After Denard Span's solo HR in the third inning Pat mentioned that the last 17 Giants homers were all solo homers. (I think it was 17. it was certainly double digits).
- Kyle Hendricks was a little rocky in early going, then righted the ship and cruised his way through the rest of his outing to pitch seven innings, striking out five and walking none. The Cubs have had a handful of other seven inning outings this year, but it feels especially good to see this back to back with Lester's complete game. Kyle's ERA dropped to 3.25 on the year.
- Miguel Montero had a nice day despite the odd decision to give him a start. He went 2-3 with a double and trucked around to score on a Giants fielding error. More on both below
Three down
- The Cubs were robbed of a run (and maybe more) in the sixth inning after Jason Heyward was called out for interference on a play at first. The home plate umpire ruled that Heyward had run inside the baseline which caused the ball to hit him, calling Heyward out and taking a run off the board. I was just getting home as this happened and had the game on the radio. Coomer was absolutely livid and had no idea how the ump could have made the (non-reviewable) call, as Heyward was hit by the ball as he was touching first base. I flipped on the replay when I got in and thought it wasn't quite as cut and dried as Ron did, but his point stands about when Heyward hit the base. Just a stupid situation all around.
- As RtR pointed out in yesterday's thread, why the heck was Montero starting against a lefty? It's not like the Cubs weren't facing a RHP in the next game, and Montero was going to start one of the two since it is a day game after a night game. I certainly don't think he's been tabbed to catch Hendricks. The only things I can think of were that Contreras was a little gassed, or that they would rather have Contreras catch Bulter. Kind of a head scratcher though.
- What the hell was Javy thinking when he tried to bunt for a hit with two catchers running on the bases? It worked out due to a Giants fielding error, but bad processes give good results sometimes. Joe loves the bunt more than he probably should but I think that one was on Javy.
Next up: The Cubs take on Shark in the series finale at 1:20 PM CT. He faces off with Eddie Butler, whose rotation spot is probably in jeapordy.
Comments
After reading Brett’s breakdown of the interference rule, I’ve moved from ‘probably a bad call, but understandable’ to plain ‘the ump screwed it up, wtf dude’
berseliusQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
Zobrist
Schwarber
Bryant
Rizzo
Happ (CF)
Heyward
Montero
Baez (ss)
Butler
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
On top of everything else, he may have been on the bag when the ball hit him. That was ridiculous. And then you have Bochy whining about borderline called third strike and how unfair it was. Close pitches get called more often than not. The Heyward play was just completely egregious, taking one run off the board and at least a 50% chance of another.
Robot umps? Yes please. But why in the hell interference is not reviewable is beyond me.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I think Heyward may have been ok if he’d been running inside the line the whole way, but that obvious attempt by him to shield the fielder there at the end was what made it an easy (and right IMO) call. If not right then certainly justifiable. If he doesn’t take that step in towards the field at the end, he still gets hit by the ball and I’m betting interference is not called.
dmick89Quote Reply
cerulean,
I think interference should definitely be reviewable. It’s one of the more difficult calls to get right when you have to make quick judgments.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
By the rules, the runner is allowed to step into fair territory with his final step before the bag. He was likely on the bag when the ball hit him. The throw came from an angle that guaranteed that if he had been approaching the base with his left instead of his right foot, he would have interfered more with the play. It was a blown call on many levels.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I didn’t know that. That changes my opinion to right/justifiable to shitty call.
dmick89Quote Reply
Not really that obvious. Heyward is fast, but he is still a lumbering giant.
ceruleanQuote Reply
dmick89,
They should draw a line on the inside of the bag to show where a last step before the bag can go. Alternatively, stick a bright orange bag on the foul side next to the bag like they do in many softball leagues.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
I’ve been in favor of the orange bag for a long time.
dmick89Quote Reply
berselius,
Looks as if Willy’s foot is still smarting from that foul ball yesterday.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It’s sort of mindboggling that it doesn’t exist, frankly.
MylesQuote Reply
This was my own thought path when I wrote the post and then my comment later
berseliusQuote Reply
Butler is a terrible pitcher.
dmick89Quote Reply
BRYANT & RANDOM FAN!!!!
ceruleanQuote Reply
Butler doesn’t seem to be fooling any of the Giants’ hitters. Even the foul balls are hard hit.
PerkinsQuote Reply
False. It boggles no mind that America’s pastime would be mired in tradition.
ceruleanQuote Reply
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/its-not-time-to-talk-about-the-brewers/
Also, Happ!
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
Every BIP off Butler has been above 90mph except for Samardzija’s WAG.
(As of 3.1 innings pitched with one K).
ceruleanQuote Reply
81mph EV!
…for a basehit.
ceruleanQuote Reply
J-Hey!!!!
PerkinsQuote Reply
J-Hey!!!
ceruleanQuote Reply
I like this whole Heyward hitting the ball thing.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Why is Butler hitting? He’s given up so much hard contact that you’re just asking for shit to happen.
PerkinsQuote Reply
It’s okay, but we mustn’t forget that his greatest value to the team is in the locker room during rain delays.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Wait, Butler hit for himself and didn’t even go out to pitch?
PerkinsQuote Reply
Butler needed to work on hitting.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Perkins,
For real, though, the bench might be shorter than normal.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Happ has looked competent in center.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
Two words: Jake Arrieta
Also, Zobrist!
PerkinsQuote Reply
Joe does that about three times a week. Sometimes with relievers.
dmick89Quote Reply
That realization did not escape me.
Oh yeah—ZOBRIST!!!!
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
He’s looked pretty good actually.
dmick89Quote Reply
That it happens frequently makes it no less infuriating.
PerkinsQuote Reply
dmick89,
The novelty of the NL has not worn off on Joe.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Speak of the devil.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Chances Montgomery pitches the next inning: 50%
ceruleanQuote Reply
Perkins,
I agree. It’s ridiculous from a strategic standpoint. It’s horrible in-game management.
dmick89Quote Reply
Sending Monty out for the 8th is either a bold strategy or a sign that Rondon and Strop are not to be trusted.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
I don’t think he trusts anyone other than Monty, Edwards and Davis.
dmick89Quote Reply
BAEZ!!!!
ceruleanQuote Reply
So JD thinks Montgomery gets no accolades for his performance. On the contrary, he gets two goose eggs.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Montgomery may be taking this one all the way.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Tough day for the Schwarbs.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Golden sombrero for Schwarber. Yikes.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Schwarber is trying to earn a trip back to Iowa.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I assume this is the league’s having adjusted to him. I’m just wondering what that is. My eyes say he seems to be having trouble catching up to fastballs, but that’s probably not the case.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Bases clogged
BerseliusQuote Reply
Happ gets a cheapie.
ceruleanQuote Reply
(dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
A two run WP and it wasn’t the Cubs giving it up! (dying laughing)
PerkinsQuote Reply
Goddamn that is beautiful. And if Montgomery pitches the 9th, it’s not even screwing the closer.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Cubs will be tied for first if this lead holds up
BerseliusQuote Reply
Perkins,
He’ll still be in line for the save.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Way to jinx it.
ceruleanQuote Reply
That’s what I mean. He’ll still get his.
PerkinsQuote Reply
The saves haven’t been easy ones for Monty. This has been pretty good, but I prefer the last one.
dmick89Quote Reply
Fly the inverted M.
Or don’t. I can’t tell you what to do.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Inverted M
BerseliusQuote Reply
Untangled &
ceruleanQuote Reply
Eddie Butler might be pretty good, but not so far. This has been almost all luck.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Also, maybe the Cubs should look for a lefty reliever to add so that Montgomery could move to the rotation. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if this extended outing is in preparation for a start soon. They have one day off until June 15th.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Duensing and Rosscup might be alright if they never get to face righties.
PerkinsQuote Reply
This is Joe Maddon we are talking about.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
(dying laughing) Joe still thinks Justin Grimm is a LOOGY.
dmick89Quote Reply
Monty is trying to set the record for most saves without a strikeout.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
On my list of things Maddon does that piss me off, this ranks high. (See also, two-strike safety squeezes.)
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
In retrospect, allowing Butler and Monty to piggyback a win helped save the bullpen for what could be a rough series in LA. So from a macro standpoint I’m OK with Maddon’s decisions today, especially since they won after all.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
That doesn’t explain Butler’s being allowed to hit right before being taken out of the game.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
So Sean Doolittle is dealing with a nagging injury again and Sonny Gray now is not. Both have been effective when they have been on the field. Both are under control through this decade.
The A’s need a lot of help in a lot of places.
Trade Candelario, Caratini, Zagunis, and Underwood for Sonny Gray and Sean Doolittle.
Even without the recent injury history of those two characters, it’s an overpay. But that’s what it takes to get deals done.
ceruleanQuote Reply
http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/05/25/odubel-herrera-went-0-for-5-with-five-strikeouts-today/
So Schwarber may have gotten a golden sombrero, but Odubel Herrera got a platinum one today.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Thanks to the Brewers, the Cubs are in first place for the moment. The cardinals currently lead the dodgers 3-1.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Figure they didn’t want to burn anyone on offense. My guess is that some guys were just gonna sit no matter what.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
dmick89,
Cardinals are no longer winning
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
That may be true, but I’d be a lot more inclined to believe it if Joe didn’t do it all the time.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rice Cube,
They’re down 6-3 now.
dmick89Quote Reply
http://obstructedview.net/podcast/ov-podcast-episode-20/
berseliusQuote Reply