OSS: Where’s this Jameson Taillon guy been all season?
Three up:
- Jameson Taillon threw eight innings on one hit ball against his former team, walking two and striking out four. Taillon has been a cipher all year, mixing in great pitches with meatballs with no discernible pattern. It’s too early to tell if he is breaking the trend of ree agent pitcher signings that can’t get it together for the ~18 months following signing with the Cubs. Small sample size may apply, YMMV, etc. etc.
- Cody Bellinger had a big day, going 2-3 with a walk and a homer, and scoring two of the Cubs three runs. He was easily the offense’s WPA leader on the day.
- Patrick Wisdom of all people contributed to multiple big plays on offense today. He quietly returned from his bout of David Patton Disease on Independence Day, and could get back into the mix if he has another hot streak.
Three down:
- Seiya got reverse-squeezed by the home plate ump in this one as his bizarre slump continues. At least he did manage to get *a* hit today.
- Wisdom was involved in the action in many ways, including pulling off the Ryan Theriot special by getting thrown out at third base on a grounder to short while trying to advance from second base. Always nice to get a reminder of the trope namer.
- To get all Jerry Seinfeld for a second, what’s the deal with all the ex-Cubs on the Yankees roster (dying laughing). Rizzo and Gleyber, sure, but it’s been weird seeing all sorts of ex-Cubs minor league randos pop up on major league rosters like Billy McKinney or DJ LeMaiheu*. Guys like Jay Jackson, Paul Blackburn, and Dylan Floro are appearing around the league.
*Despite winning an MVP award, Josh Donaldson will always be just some rando in my heart of hearts, a throw-in as part of the Rich Harden trade that would never amount to much.
Next up:
Drew Smyly takes on Gerrit Cole at 12:05 CT, in what might be a slightly tougher matchup for this Cubs offense.
Comments
Immaculate Grid 96 7/9:
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Wasted a guess thinking Dave Stieb had won 20 with the Jays. Watch the Cubs blow up Cole today because baseball.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
I blew up my grid after learning Edwin Encarnacion never played for the Giants. I just kept guessing Edwins until it was over.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
(dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Perkins,
Don’t tell me what to do
berseliusQuote Reply
Mastrobuoni returns, likely means Swanson to IL until after ASG to rest
https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1677687875024953344?t=o4ggZrPNLH83pPIDyZxumA&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Tauchman might be sort of slumping but he always seems to at least drive the pitch count up
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Giving up only a solo nuke by Stanton is probably a win
Rice CubeQuote Reply
RIP that baseball.
berseliusQuote Reply
Exiled
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs lose.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I can’t argue with you today
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Umpires fucking hate Seiya.
andcountingQuote Reply
I do like that at least Hoerner and Morel seem to work well on turning the double play
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Check out Morel with the El Mago style tag wow
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Pretty good ABs by Morel today even if the results aren’t what we would like
Rice CubeQuote Reply
OK, Tauch Man
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Thought Assad did well in “eat some innings” duty, also nifty jump throw by Morel and pick by Mancini (?!)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This is one of those games the only way the Cubs could have won was if I’d bet on the Yankees.
andcountingQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
The only thing I can’t tell for certain is if he’s guessing well or recognizing location and pitch type better, but the trend on plate discipline has been super encouraging.
andcountingQuote Reply
Nice catch, Cubs lose in 2:27
Rice CubeQuote Reply
andcounting,
He definitely guessed wrong on that 99 mph heater right down the gut, I would’ve preferred he go down swinging (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Immaculate Grid 96 7/9:
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Not a single one of my answers was matched by more than 14%. Would have had middle left if I’d picked the other shaggy haired starter in my head.
What’s the appropriate behavior for discussing answers here?
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
I for one have no desire whatsoever to maintain competitive integrity by avoiding spoilers. I can’t remember 80% of player names anymore so I need all the unfair help I can get.
andcountingQuote Reply
I know the Reds will probably win the Central at this point but I also am in favor of all the distress and despair for the Milwaukee baseball club
https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1677806720788180992?t=R0cDOROwgrFGjCb1Wn6ZXg&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
BVS,
I have no issue with people discussing spoilers if others are okay with that. I picked Jeff Samardzija for SFG-OAK and had forgotten about his molestache and soul patch. (dying laughing)
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
No issues here either
berseliusQuote Reply
andcounting,
Perkins,
berselius,
In that case guys, you are missing the beauty of Octavio Dotel and Terry Mulholland. But today I used Bonds for the Pitt MVP and Willy Mays for SF. Mays 14%, Bonds 13%. Smh
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
Jeff Kent, here for SF. That was a 7%-er.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
You used Kent for MVP or SF+TOR?
If the latter, I’m surprised it was >1%
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
MVP. Never knew he was ever a Jay!
andcountingQuote Reply
Just looked at today’s grid. I’ll be lucky to get 3.
BVSQuote Reply
Immaculate Grid 97 7/9:
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KC is my Waterloo. Apparently Lorenzo Cain did not have a 30 SB season there, and I wasn’t about to waste another guess.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
I have not yet played but methinks the potential answer might be Carlos Beltran
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Beltran would have been my second guess but I couldn’t remember how much of a speed guy he was early career.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Has anyone been able to tell if the Nationals category also includes Les Expos?
berseliusQuote Reply
I’m surprised Jonathan Villar was only 2% for the Beers SB guy – he’s the guy I always assumed would go HAM on the bases whenever Lester started.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
On an incorectly related note, I’m surprised to see that CC Sabathia pitched as late as 2019.
berseliusQuote Reply
Immaculate Grid 97 6/9:
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berseliusQuote Reply
Seeing Nelson Cruz on one of the squares reminds me of another guessing MVP for this game: Matt Stairs.
berseliusQuote Reply
Perkins,
I got it with Johnny Damon, from his pre BoSox days and my fantasy baseball playing days. I would complain that I think most people cheat but it’s probably the case that they all play FLB (dying laughing).
berseliusQuote Reply
Bonjour, rubber match lineup
https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1678051696927277056?t=zKfxAG6E6VxqMONWZXT83g&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Did Hendricks not throw before the 30 second in-between batter clock was done?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Seiya finally has something go his way (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Yay Seiya, that’s one way to break up the no-hitter
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Whoops
Cubs lose
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Pending next few innings, possibly false
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Thought Ian Happ would run out of room, relieved that he did not
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Too bad they can’t call this game now by rule
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I guess it’s good no one in this game needs to be in Seattle for the Home Run Derby tomorrow evening.
andcountingQuote Reply
Reds just lost, Cardinals TBD
Rice CubeQuote Reply
White Sox just gave up the lead in extras and the Pirates are currently leading the Dbacks
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Ah, Boog says the issue was he didn’t finish all the warmups by the time the batter clock started for the bottom of the inning and that’s why the auto-ball was assessed.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Channeling his inner Pinnella (sp?).
For awhile I was anti-roboump. Go back 5 or more years here and you’ll see such comments from me.
But MLB refuses to do anything about bad umpiring behind the plate and I’ve seen enough. Bring in the cameras and robots.
BVSQuote Reply
The Cubs won’t have to deal with the Cardinals at all after July
Rice CubeQuote Reply
BVS,
That wasn’t a roboump issue and more a pitch clock issue, however I agree given how quick the challenge system is that they should just do it
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Andy Green is better at challenging than Ross
BVSQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I didn’t see the play live.
Just pretend my comment was for just about any other game since Wednesday
BVSQuote Reply
What the Tuck(er)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Barnhardt is having himself an adequate month of baseball, maybe?
BVSQuote Reply
BY the way, Yanks brought closer in for a nonsave situation. Works every time!
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
I thought that was Michael King, oh well…game is official now even as the rain falls lightly
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Old “friend” Amir Garrett DFAd by KC. My popcorn bowl says St L should pick him up.
BVSQuote Reply
Dang, kept it a save situation
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Pretty sure the Yanks have a committee actually. Holmes, King, and Schmidt.
BVSQuote Reply
I miss Adbert’s crazy hair.
BVSQuote Reply
Let’s go Adbert
berseliusQuote Reply
Three hour plus game plus the rain delay, Cubs finish the “first half” 42-47
Rice CubeQuote Reply
M ——–> inverted
berseliusQuote Reply
So Cubs finished the week 4-3 against two teams with winning records and in the WC race.
That’s not terrible.
BVSQuote Reply
18 games (inclusive) until 8/1 trade deadline
Rice CubeQuote Reply
BVS,
Hope this motivates them to buy rather than sell even if they can’t quite get back to .500
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The bullpen putting up goose eggs even against a slumpy Yankees squadron is nifty
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Yes, older versions of the same franchise count. I haven’t had the opportunity, but you should even be able to use the Seattle Pilots for the Brewers.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Draft starts in just over 90 minutes
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Mayo doing a pick by pick breakdown, so eventually he will say something about the Cubs pick
https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-mlb-draft-day-1-complete-coverage
That would be Matt Shaw, infielder from Maryland, sounds toolsy
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I swear, all they want is shortstops all day long.
andcountingQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
They compared him to the Rays Brandon Lowe 🤔
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
A guy who walks more than Ks? Yes, please.
BVSQuote Reply
Consensus for the next pick (comp for Willson), Jaxon Wiggins from Arkansas, is he’s probably underslot coming back from TJS but will be an upside play like Cade Horton
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Immaculate Grid 98 8/9:
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So apparently Bob Feller didn’t strike out 3000 batters.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
You’re up early, Perkins.
BVSQuote Reply
Immaculate Grid 98 6/9:
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I’m not very good at this, (dying laughing).
BVSQuote Reply
Perkins,
2,500+. I was so confident in that one and I rage-clicked other Bobs for the two guesses I had left. Pretty frustrating because that one seemed immaculatable.
andcountingQuote Reply
Are the time stamps on here Mountain time? I’m in New York so I think it was around 7AM by me.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I thought the time stamps were in Central but I could be wrong
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Nope, Mountain!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I don’t think baseball fans like Rob Manfred
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rob Manfred plus Houston pick?
Who could have predicted that!
The fans know. Good on ’em.
BVSQuote Reply
Heh, Cubs sorta got a coach fired
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/07/10/the-cubs-beat-the-yankees-so-bad-they-fired-their-hitting-coach/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rough one for me today
Immaculate Grid 98 5/9:
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berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Different era, but surprised that Bob Feller didn’t get to 3k K’s
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I didn’t read every word (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Too lazy to look but I’d bet the timestamps are set to CST, not CDT, rather than mountain time.
berseliusQuote Reply
New shit no matter what time zone you’re in –> http://www.obstructedview.net/all-purpose-all-star-break-rundown/
Rice CubeQuote Reply