Alright, let's find some sunshine through all the shit, eh? Your Bright Spots for today:
- Fairly decent day for the trade bait on the major league club:
- Nate Schierholtz was 1-3, with a home run that briefly gave the Cubs the lead.
- James Russell, after giving up a leadoff double in the eighth, got through Choo, Votto, Phillips, and Bruce without giving up a hit (though Phillips did reach on an IBB).
- Kevin Gregg worked a scoreless ninth, striking out Todd Frazier in the process. He's now thrown 18.2 innings in 19 appearances and has 21 strikeouts against 7 walks. I know Kevin Gregg is Kevin Gregg, and everybody's expecting him to turn into a pumpkin at the drop of a hat, but if he somehow maintains anything close to this form into July….well, teams overpay for relief pitching at the deadline all the time.
- Travis Wood isn't really trade bait, but he continues to be fun to watch, even if the offense shuts down behind him. No hits until the fifth, four hits and two walks in seven innings pitched, only 2 earned runs, and all of this without really impressive stuff at all. He scratched and clawed his way through the Reds' lineup over and over again, trying desperately to hang onto the lead. As the offense (hopefully) improves over the next couple of seasons, his starts are going to get a lot more enjoyable
- With the loss today, the Cubs fall out of an effective tie with Milwaukee for last place in the division, and giving them the third worst record in the Majors thus far. Why is this reason for optimism? We're currently set up for the third pick in a 2014 draft that's supposed to be much deeper than this year's. As long as this team is not in contention for a playoff spot, every top 5 pick we can get is a victory.
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Minor League Performance of the Day:
There are a fair amount of options, but being the Baez-centric individual that I am, I'm choosing to focus on Javy's 3-walk day over 14 innings of doubleheader. No hits, but frankly, the walks are more encouraging than anything at this point. No strikeouts either, and a 3 walk day has the added benefit of being unlikely to cause a mass retweeting spree by the precocious lad in all of our twitter feeds, which can only be a good thing.
Comments
For loss of interest, I just thought I’d point out that on a Wednesday following a bad Cubs loss, there were 5 main threads posted at OV, two by First Four authors and 3 by New Guys.
I was going to chime in on my breaking point, but it was already stated in part by MB here:
@ dmick89:
and by RC here:
@ Rice Cube:
But Aisley, I’m a little disappointed in your performance at the game, and Harry P too. Com’on. Here’s this guy all upset. He’s a quality guy cuz he’s drinking a Lemon Chiller. He gets up to storm out and you don’t explain to him that the Pythagorean standings show that the Cubs really are a much better team than they appear? You know about advance baseball analytics. You gotta represent, man! Do your part. Calm the riot.
SVBQuote Reply
Indeed
SVBQuote Reply
Whoops, did I mention I’m half drunk? Will fix.
sitrickQuote Reply
Aaaaand fixed.
sitrickQuote Reply
Rockies just signed Jonathan Gray for $800,000 below slot. Will be interesting to see what Bryant signs for. I guess its right about slot. But would anyone have preferred Gray knowing he’d be below slot? Seems like the Cubs are ending up grabbing a few overslot guys later anyways.
Recalcitrant Blogger NateQuote Reply
Recalcitrant Blogger Nate wrote:
Not me. I’ll take 80 power on a position player over 80 fastball on a pitcher. I’ll take 70 power over 80 fastball. I liked Appel’s polish, but otherwise, I like hitters because pitcher injuries tend to be more career-altering.
SVBQuote Reply
@ Recalcitrant Blogger Nate:
that’s surprising
GWQuote Reply
@ GW:
Adderol discount
SVBQuote Reply
Urk wrote:
New blog slogan?
Suburban kidQuote Reply
sitrick wrote:
For some reason I read that as “New Cheese” (dying laughing)
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Suburban kidQuote Reply
3 walk game for Baez is potentially huge. Very nice to see.
dmick89Quote Reply
@ SVB:
That’s what I’d assume. I didn’t think it would cost him that much, but I did think it would cost him.
dmick89Quote Reply
sitrick wrote:
sitrick wrote:
So now you’re all the way drunk?
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin wrote:
I don’t like to talk about my process.
sitrickQuote Reply
I live around central Illinois, which is about 50/50 Cubs/Cardinals fans. I’m telling myself that if the Cubs aren’t good by the time my unborn children are old enough to start enjoying baseball, I won’t disown them if they become Cardinal fans.
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
They’d probably be smarter than their old man if they were.
dmick89Quote Reply
New Shit
MylesQuote Reply