In this episode Jeff and Myles discuss
- Montero's DFA and the state of the clubhouse.
- The Kris Bryant injury and revised win predictions.
- Should the Cubs sell a few pieces?
- Predicting Jake Arrieta's contract.
- Being surprised by the Cubs relatively okay home run hitting/preventing capabilities.
- Guess today's lineup, 2009 edition.
There are multiple references to a podcast that Sitrick and Berselius recorded on Sunday, which was scrapped due to technical problems.
Enjoy. Or don't. I can't tell you what to do.
Comments
Ryno,
I don’t know. I think Rizzo The Rat mentioned awhile back that the last WS Champion to reach the playoffs was the Phillies so maybe there’s something to it. Then again, the champions since then have been the Giants (3 times), Yankees, Royals and I think the cardinals.
I don’t think they should deviate from their plan. I just think that selling has to be something the team considers, but I’m not talking about selling valuable assets like Bryant or Rizzo. I’m only talking about selling assets that won’t be around either after this season or much longer. Guys like Arrieta, Lackey, Zobrist (the Cubs just don’t need him at this point), Davis, Uehara and possibly Rondon and maybe some others I’m not thinking of. Off limits (unless the offer was ridiculous) would be Rizzo, Bryant, Russell, Schwarber, Almora, Baez, Lester and top prospects. That’s basically been their plan all along.
It just might be that they have to keep to that plan in a year they thought they’d be really good. Shit happens and I think with all the injuries it’s fairly easy to see why this team has underperformed.
Wade Davis is the big one. The Cubs, even if they reach the postseason, just aren’t all that good this year and a good closer can bring a whole in return. Whatever the Cubs can get for Davis is more valuable than the 15 or so innings he might pitch in the postseason if everything went smoothly. If things do go smoothly, it will probably be because the offense finally started to hit and the pitchers stopped giving up 425 foot fly balls. Davis will probably have only a small role in any success.
dmick89Quote Reply
I swear you guys wait until I comment to post new shit…
RynoQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/880418159542632449
Wow.
RynoQuote Reply
dmick89,
I think the last WS champion to make the playoffs was the 2012 Cardinals (as a Wild Card), which is pretty surprising. The Phillies were the last WS Champion to get back to the WS the following year (2008-9). There have been a couple other instances of the WS loser making the WS the following year, though (2014-15 Royals, 2010-11 Rangers).
I’m not sure what the “hangover effect” of winning the WS is, though I can’t imagine there’s a huge difference between winning and losing it in terms of next season performance since the teams would have played about the same number of games. But I could be totally missing something.
PerkinsQuote Reply
dmick89,
That’s kind of what I think too. Seems like some regression should have been expected. Not this much, though, so use this opportunity (as you said) to sell off a few valuable chips you maybe didn’t think you’d want to sell. Like what the Yankees did last year (albeit without having a Chapman or Miller).
RynoQuote Reply
Perkins,
I think of it as a focus issue. After 2015, the Cubs as a team likely felt they were really close to winning it all and prepared without much distraction.
I imagine this offseason was MUCH different from the previous year’s, and that slight difference in preparation and focus can make a huge difference in performance.
RynoQuote Reply
In the Cubs’ case, I assume the pitching decline is related to both the volume and stress of the innings the past two years. The NLCS run in 2015 was preceded by an extremely tight race for the Central and the Wild Card. Arrieta threw a ton of innings, and Joe basically had to manage to win every game that year.
Even with the effort to manage workload last year, the extra (and presumably high stress) innings in the postseason likely added to the fatigue. Arrieta threw about 470 innings between 2015 and 2016 (including the postseasons), so it probably shouldn’t be surprising that he’s gassed.
What I’d be curious to see (and may research) is how much DL time players had on a season following a World Series championship. A lot of the Cubs’ offensive (and possibly defensive) woes appear to be related to injuries, though losing Fowler’s production has also hurt.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Ryno,
That’s certainly fair. I imagine that winning a World Series with the Cubs is one of those “where do you go now?” moments for baseball people. To his credit, it seems like Heyward didn’t let that go to his head, but that’s probably because his 2016 was so awful.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Enjoyed this episode.
MylesQuote Reply
Perkins,
Exactly. Guys like Rizzo and Bryant contributed heavily to the Cubs winning the World Series. I mean, that’s kind of the ultimate in sports. As you said, Heyward was terrible and didn’t contribute as much, so I can see guys like him still having some motivation.
RynoQuote Reply
In other news, John Lackey leads the league in HR, but not the good kind like you want.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Was in the podcast!
MylesQuote Reply
I did not read every word. No dinner for me.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I can’t remember if the plugin has an automatic method to create a transcript of the podcast or not, but if it does I wouldn’t mind one. It’s not a big deal. I’m probably the only one who would prefer a transcript so if it’s too much work at all, ignore me.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I’ll check it out tonight.
BerseliusQuote Reply
I’m watching you.
MylesQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron:
Jay (LF)
Happ (RF)
Rizzo
Contreras
Russell
Candelario
Almora
Baez
Lester
PerkinsQuote Reply
false
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I hope Lester can keep Turner off base.
dmick89Quote Reply
I just checked it out and it’s not possible. The transcript thing I saw with the plugin was a way to upload the transcript so people could download the written version.
dmick89Quote Reply
I think I said they were the last world champion team to win the division the next year. I also don’t believe there’s a causal relationship; things just happen.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bryant is saying he expects to avoid the DL. That would be pretty great.
I still agree that the Cubs should trade Davis.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I agree. I’m guessing it’s just that some of the teams to win the world series haven’t been all that impressive (Giants, Royals).
dmick89Quote Reply
If it’s anything like Heyward and Zobrist, Bryant will spend 10 days day to day and unavailable before the team puts him on the DL. The Cubs like to play shorthanded these days.
dmick89Quote Reply
Davis has been as effective as Chapman for as long as Miller has though. I don’t think that they can get what amounted to Starlin Castro and Gleyber Torres, but they might be able to come close if the Nats come calling.
If I were to choose the top five relievers in the league, Davis is in the group. Chapman, Miller, Davis, Jansen, and Kimbrel. Injury made him fall off last year at the deadline, but he looks good this year without any lingering issues. Even after his recent terrible outing that raised his ERA by almost a run but actually lowered his FIP a tick (dying laughing).
My brother-in-law who is a White Sox fan was raving about how good Davis was during the 2014 season, lamenting that nobody knew of him because he played in KC (in addition to having to see the Sox get dominated). He dominated the postseason twice. Seriously: 0.76 FIP in 2014 and 0.60 FIP in 2015 (25 combined innings). Make this deal with the Nationals already.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Rizzo! Contreras!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I have a good feeling about today. Cubs will win.
EdwinQuote Reply
I’ll take Victor Robles and Erick Fedde for Wade Davis, please.
MylesQuote Reply
Welp.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Ugh, Lester is getting squeezed.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I haven’t had a good feeling about this team since they couldn’t hit Josh Tomlin in the World Series.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
They scored six runs in seven innings against him in the WS (the sequencing was unfortunate, but that’s mostly random).
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Seconded. But I don’t think the Nats would do it. Maybe Uehara could sweeten the deal. He has also been great for the past many years.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Contreras!
ceruleanQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
God damn it, they had him dead to rights there.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
When this team scores in the top of the first it’s like piling dirt on top of the spot where you’re about to dig a hole.
uncle daveQuote Reply
I don’t like Lester getting squeezed like this.
ceruleanQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
How bad can things get? raises a very dark question:
Suppose a team’s plane crashes in the middle of the season. No survivors. Whole MLB roster and coaching staff, gone. How long before another game is played in the league and by the team?
My guess is that it would be the same as after 9/11 for the league, but would probably be a couple weeks for the team. I can imagine a special draft for rule-5 eligible players for the misfortunate team and then the #1 overall and sandwich pick in addition to the normal draft picks plus extra cash in the foreign market.
The team would still have to pay out the contracts I believe, but I am guessing that they would not count against the luxury tax.
I wonder if the commissioner has planned for such a possibility.
ceruleanQuote Reply
You know what I’m sick of? Hits by opposing pitchers.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
uncle dave,
I disagree. It’s more like a Holiday Hole.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Cubs lead the league in HBP Against.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Welp again.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This *clap* team *clap* sucks
MylesQuote Reply
Maybe baseball should just come up with some designated survivors. Maybe they could call Kiefer.
In all seriousness, I’m guessing the team would call up the entire roster of the AAA team or maybe most of those guys and then some guys from AA. There would probably be a week off before play resumed and the team that lost all their players would probably be given the #1 overall pick for the next 3-5 seasons plus guaranteed picks in the top 10 after that. I’m guessing it would be a nice package. Some team wanting to rebuild quickly might try sabotaging the team plane.
dmick89Quote Reply
Seems close, probably. There might even be an expansion draft, where each team has to expose 3 or so contracts on the 40-man and that team could take them if they wanted.
MylesQuote Reply
Whew.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Lester got out of that jam. Maybe this team isn’t that bad.
Just kidding.
MylesQuote Reply
Yeah, that would probably happen too. As far as immediate play goes, baseball kind of already has a built in system in case a disaster happens. They’d just call up guys from the minor leagues. The rookie league level may have to forfeit the season or something, but whatever.
dmick89Quote Reply
It’s almost like the Cubs are in a contest with another team to see which offense can make outs as quickly as possible.
dmick89Quote Reply
I suspect that they’d change the waiver rules to move the team to the front of the line as well. You could fill up a (bad) 25-man roster pretty quickly if that was allowed, I think.
uncle daveQuote Reply
0 flyouts this game so far.
MylesQuote Reply
Gameday says Ross is getting seriously squeezed. Is this accurate?
MylesQuote Reply
Myles,
I wonder what the most ground ball outs recorded by a starting pitcher in one game is. Basically, what the Kerry Wood Game of Groundballs (or KWGOG) would be.
EdwinQuote Reply
uncle dave,
That would almost certainly happen. Good point.
dmick89Quote Reply
Myles,
The umpire hasn’t called the low strike on either pitcher.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Ugh.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Lester has a chance to save the season with one swing…
EdwinQuote Reply
dmick89,
You should see the spread they get on those charter flights, tho.
uncle daveQuote Reply
dmick89,
This is the scenario I almost always start with when I play baseball sims, btw.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Are the Cubs odds of winning this game greater or less than 5%? I want to say it’s greater than, but I think the odds are really 0% so I’m going less than.
dmick89Quote Reply
Willson!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This is shaping up to be the Contreras game in both good and bad ways.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Lester doesn’t seem as bad at controlling the running game as people think.
EdwinQuote Reply
He’s pretty quick to the plate, and Willson (and Ross before) is quick to first and second. He gets a lot of press for having the yips to first, but he does well enough overall.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Edwin,
It was bad in 2015. He allowed 44 steals. But he’s gotten better, and I actually think Contreras is an improvement over Ross.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Perkins,
I’ve heard he does a good job mixing up his delivery, or just holding the ball, so runners don’t get a good jump.
EdwinQuote Reply
Man, the ump is not giving that low zone at all today.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
He gave Ross high and wide strikes this inning, though.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I do think something like this could happen, but with the team mandated to choose one of those three from every team. And the choices can’t all be on the DL. And from the 40-man as of the day of the disaster to prevent shenanigans—I’m lookin’ at you, Preller.
ceruleanQuote Reply
FFS.
uncle daveQuote Reply
This brings me back to 2014. Rizzo was the only good hitter in the Cubs lineup then, too.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Candelario!
PerkinsQuote Reply
Somehow it feels like Zagunis has been in the Cubs system for a decade.
berseliusQuote Reply
Now CJ is getting squeezed on the low strike.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Ugh
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Edwards got screwed.
dmick89Quote Reply
Maddux would have trouble with this strike zone. What hope does Edwards have?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Crap.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
God damnit.
PerkinsQuote Reply
That was predictable.
dmick89Quote Reply
Cubs will lose this one by two touchdowns.
dmick89Quote Reply
+1 on the transcript
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
Good god.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Oh good. Another injury.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Wow. He’s staying in the game. Having a short bench sucks.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Maybe next time we’ll skip the podcast and do a live chat (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
#o9r
uncle daveQuote Reply
What happened to the Nats bullpen being a dumpster fire?
berseliusQuote Reply
Jay!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
berselius,
I stand corrected
berseliusQuote Reply
I’m sorry, we’re you saying something? (dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
Big if true (dying laughing).
uncle daveQuote Reply
(dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Nats failpen to the rescue!
PerkinsQuote Reply
(dying laughing) (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
I was going to offer to transcribe the podcasts, but then I remembered I really don’t want to.
dmick89Quote Reply
The Cubs sure love playing catchers in left field.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
It’s like the fetish Dusty has with low OBP guys leading off.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Or the fabled all-2B lineup.
uncle daveQuote Reply
uncle dave,
I’m surprised he hasn’t traded Harper for a 2nd baseman. Maybe the Nats would take Zobrist.
dmick89Quote Reply
uncle dave,
I always associated that more with Hendry
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Combination of the two probably.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’ll take a split on the road against the Nats any day.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
berselius,
I just associate it with NEIFI!
uncle daveQuote Reply
Inverted M
berseliusQuote Reply
Jesus. I have no idea how the Cubs walked away with two wins in this series.
uncle daveQuote Reply
+1 LSA rec’d turn it green NAMBLA
berseliusQuote Reply
Davis is worth Robles and Fedde. Take note Mike Rizzo. The Cubs had to do it last year. This is your chance.
ceruleanQuote Reply
berselius,
You quoted it before I had a chance to fix my typo!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Hey guys, let’s generate some karma for the Reds to beat the Brewers before they lay down for the Cubs this weekend.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wade Davis showed the Nats exactly what they’re missibg. Here’s hoping the Cubs get them to pay far out the ass to acquire him.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Welp, that’s not gonna happen when Homer Bailey keeps giving up homers.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I just bought a yearly subscription to Mlb.tv for $10 (flash sale). With all the blackout restrictions I have to put up with, I’d say that’s about the right price.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
His parents should have named him Nohomer Bailey smh
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
They must have thought he’d grow up to be a position player.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Parents, they’ll fuck you up.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
That’s about how much Cubs season tickets are worth at this point.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
$6.50 after student discount (dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
So, that pitch by Strop broke Trea Turner’s wrist. That sucks. (Candelario only had a contusion.)
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
cerulean,
$5.50 for elderly students.
dmick89Quote Reply
I know Strop can be a bit wild, but it seems rather unbelievable that he hit both Turner and Candelario with the same pitch.
ceruleanQuote Reply
They should allow students to watch for free and double the price for the elderly. That way, they get the good demographic while making money off the old folks who don’t buy anything.
Elderly students, though—I think they should make it free and then double the price.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
Candelario was playing in.
dmick89Quote Reply
You’re not kidding. I’m taking a beating on resales this year. I’d expected demand to be through the roof, but the combination of colder than usual weather, increased prices, and an underperforming team have made it brutal.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
I’d buy some off ya but my disposable income isn’t as disposable as I’d like.
Rice in limboQuote Reply
Observation: Kershaw is good.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
My VPN works on my laptop to get the White Sox. I just saw Dustin Fowler destroy his knee in his first big league inning. You know how there are some movements that just aren’t right—like they are not human—he had that movement about him, like Gus Fring straightening his tie one last time.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
Why didn’t they put him in CF? That was an ugly injury that wouldn’t have happened if he was playing his natural position.
dmick89Quote Reply
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
He has accomplished less at the MLB level than Adam Greenberg.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Cubs seem to have a knack for putting players from other teams on the DL.
EdwinQuote Reply
That’s an insult to their best customers smh
berseliusQuote Reply
That’s The Cubs Way®
That’s Cub™
ceruleanQuote Reply
For the record, feline cubs are more popular in an image search than ursine cubs. This team should update its branding. Bears are so 20th century.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
It’s a way of life
berseliusQuote Reply
cerulean,
I would have guessed wolf cubs would be #1
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
You mean canidae cubs?
EdwinQuote Reply
berselius,
Are you secretly British or something?
ceruleanQuote Reply
Edwin,
The proper adjectival form is canine. Plebeian.
ceruleanQuote Reply
dmick89Quote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
Jay RF
Happ 2B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras LF
Russell SS
Caratini C
Baez 3B
Almora CF
Montgomery SP
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
These are not the same Cubs from last year.
dmick89Quote Reply
That lineup doesn’t look great, but it should be enough to beat the Reds.
EdwinQuote Reply
dmick89,
That is a blatantly slanderous portrayal of the most eloquent and stately man to ever grace the White House. Luke Skywalker is now working for the evil empire.
Dare I quote His Eminence in Chief?
His hands, so strong and virile, are the only thing keeping this once great nation together.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I don’t love anything as much as Cubs hitters love double play balls.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Runner: I’m going with the pitch!
Batter: I’ll hit it right to second so they can turn two anyway!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Billy Hamilton is an idiot.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Ugh. This might as well be an eight-run deficit for this lineup.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
That’s Cub™
ceruleanQuote Reply
This lineup isn’t good enough to beat the worst team in AA.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m constantly amazed at how quickly Cubs fandom reverted to 2011-style pessimism.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
That’s the third hit that looked playable.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Bad luck for Montgomery. BABIP gods feeling vengeful.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I know that everyone is injured, but Scott Feldman? Is this that Scott Feldman?
uncle daveQuote Reply
Cubs Waste Pack.
Carry your trash with you.
ceruleanQuote Reply
The Cubs should never have traded such an elite pitcher.
Who knows even who they got for him.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Question:
Is the UNFCCC an acronym?
Because unfuck the world is a pretty good mission statement.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Pessimism? I think it’s optimistic that this offense is good enough to beat the worst team in AA.
dmick89Quote Reply
Spellcheck was right. Fire Theo.
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
Schwarber hit two home runs today. And he only struck out once. Progress.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I think there’s about a 75% chance the Cubs get swept by the fucking Reds.
dmick89Quote Reply
Bryant—–>lineup
That was unexpected.
PerkinsQuote Reply
should i “live” “blog” this game? that’s seems unlikely. what’s the over under on number of batters or innings i last?
SKQuote Reply
ha ha JD “Slugger” Gennet yeah good one.
SKQuote Reply
we’re aparently celebrating the 4th of july on the 1st of july in the river city
SKQuote Reply
I am drinking something called a Coalface Black IPA. I don’t drink much but it is tasty.
SKQuote Reply
I knew Jay was gonna stroke out on a high fastball
SKQuote Reply
If they didn’t have the “stars” trim I’d like both of these unis very much. Cubs’ looks like 70s road jerseys. Reds have a dark logo patch. is that black in the middle?
Nice hit Rizz
SKQuote Reply
and of course the unknown rookie shuts down the cubs in the first
SKQuote Reply
Of course Billy Hamilton leads off with a hit.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Eddie!!!!!
(dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
Another man on.
Eddie 😐
ceruleanQuote Reply
That’s pretty much a guaranteed six shutout innings every time.
dmick89Quote Reply
I hate over patriotic stuff like stars all over the uniform for no reason
but I do like the american flag socks some of the guys are wearing
SKQuote Reply
dmick89,
Cubs will win today 10–5. But don’t worry, they will lose tomorrow.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Jesus, Javy.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
That was dumb.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
At least the Cubs are getting more creative with their double plays.
dmick89Quote Reply
Jay!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
JON JAY IS SO PATRIOTIC
SKQuote Reply
This is exciting. They scored at least one more run today than I was expecting.
dmick89Quote Reply
Willson!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Here’s hoping ace Butler can preserve this lead for Davis.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Javy and Almora are so bad against righties.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Can Davis pitch 6 innings?
dmick89Quote Reply
Cubs lose.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
He came up as a starter!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This is fine. I wasn’t too attached to that lead, anyway.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I knew it wouldn’t last long.
dmick89Quote Reply
I think you have to throw strikes here, Eddie.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
jeez butler
SKQuote Reply
Of course. #ThatsCub
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
SKQuote Reply
(dying laughing) this team is awful.
dmick89Quote Reply
😐
ceruleanQuote Reply
The Cubs should have given Davis a shot at a 6-inning save. Only chance they had.
dmick89Quote Reply
Bad news. I just found out that if the Cubs get swept by the Reds, they have to forfeit their World Series title. It seems a little unfair, but rules are rules.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It’s hard to come back from a deficit when there’s a relief pitcher leading off the inning, but whatever.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It seems like the lack of low strike calls has really hurt the Cubs recently.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Ugh 😐
ceruleanQuote Reply
DP will do. Nice recovery Russell.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Nice play by Baez.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Those patriotic eye black stickers won’t do a damn bit of good reducing glare.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Schwarber hit two more home runs today.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Any chance they can count for today’s Cubs game because I think that’s their only chance of winning.
dmick89Quote Reply
Happ might be the best player on this team.
dmick89Quote Reply
Sounds like schwarber has been seriously abusing some baseballs in iowa. Heyward is starting a rehab assignment. If those two come back strong, I can see this offense really start to gel in the second half.
That’s said, I still think I want to see the team be sellers. The pitching staff just looks totally lost. I think I’d be pretty pissed if they traded eloy for a rental pitcher, which I kind of think is what’s going to happen.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Hahaha I was just thinking the same thing. Totally pointless.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Wild Jake has arrived. Is a wild pitch coming?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Someone besides Happ drove in a run!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Helluva slide by Contreras.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Still was ruled out. Huh.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Throw strikes, CJ.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Thank you.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
$M^{-1}$
berseliusQuote Reply
He’s obviously not the best player on the team, but I’m thrilled that he’s come up and played so well. I was worried the team would trade him at the deadline and now I don’t think there’s any chance of that. Now I’m more worried they’ll trade Eloy, which I don’t think is going to happen. It didn’t sound like Theo had any intention of trading for players based on how the team has played so far, which I was glad to hear.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
If Eloy is traded, it’ll be for a long term pitcher like Sonny Gray or someone else, probably from an AL team.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Who here had Davis as the only all star?
dmick89Quote Reply
DJ Lemahieu again? #FireTheo
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Anybody planning on seeing the total eclipse next month?
ceruleanQuote Reply
Of my heart?
MylesQuote Reply
Went to the South Bend Cubs game yesterday. It was a pretty fun time, rain delay notwithstanding.
MylesQuote Reply
Vimael Machin crushed a 3-R HR in the first inning and had another good AB, but he also had a really ugly looking AB. Also, Bo Bichette looked like the real deal for Lansing (Toronto’s affiliate). He’s going to play in the majors one day.
MylesQuote Reply
Bichette went 0-5 yesterday and was the most impressive hitter on the field (and Jason Heyward was rehabbing). Crushed the ball to left-center twice (good play by the CF both times), worked good counts, was also strong at SS.
MylesQuote Reply
Montero + Cash -> Toronto
Cash or PTBNL -> Cubes
MylesQuote Reply
Cubes. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
Is this the first eclipse of your heart that others can safely view in the contiguous US without protection in forty years?
ceruleanQuote Reply
Am I wrong?
MylesQuote Reply
Myles,
The Cubs trade Montero and cash for cash? Sounds like money laundering.
RynoQuote Reply
Myles,
They’re back to .500, so I guess that just makes them beveled hexahedra.
berseliusQuote Reply
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-americans-order-their-steak/
I feel like a stranger in my own country
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
37.5 percent of Americans should order hamburgers instead.
RynoQuote Reply
That’s what makes you feel like a stranger here!? (dying laughing)
However, I think the food and diet industrial complex are more responsible for this than the abundant lack of American taste, which is astonishing in tackiness—I mean, McMansions, Reality TV, and Donald Trump. The shitty quality of American meat combined with fear of food poisoning really pushes people to choose burnt and consistent (think Starbucks) over bloody and variable. I can’t really blame them—for that, at least.
I used to work in a restaurant where the owner was the cook, and the tirade he would go on when people would ask for well done. He didn’t want their business. (dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
Ryno,
Ground beef is a big part of the problem.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
So are Americans.
RynoQuote Reply
My South American friends would specify that norteamericanos are the problem.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
Canadians say your rong.
RynoQuote Reply
Lurch says, “You rang.”
ceruleanQuote Reply
A caratini sounds like a Bloody Mary for people who don’t like tomatoes.
RynoQuote Reply
What does the fox say?
EdwinQuote Reply
If they trade for Archer before tomorrow’s game, they have a small chance of winning the game.
dmick89Quote Reply
berselius,
I didn’t read this article, but if it’s about preferred temperature, I’ve always assumed there are three main reasons why someone orders it the way they do. Older people like things more done. I think this is partly because of how they were raised (cook meats more thoroughly and a lot of older people think some pink means medium or less than). People also tend to order meats how their parents did. They’re first exposed to this when going out to dinner and so when they do it later in life, they tend to order it the same way. The third reason is that it’s more regional. I almost never got an order for a well done steak when I lived outside of the Midwest, but it wasn’t at all uncommon in this part of the country.
Anyway, the best piece of steak is no steak. I’m not so much a vegetarian these days, but steak makes me sick. Literally, it makes me sick. The sight of cooked red meat almost makes me want to throw up. The smell of it too. I think it’s as disgusting as rat shit.
dmick89Quote Reply
I like a good steak now and then, but I find it’s normally over priced. Pork Tenderloin is one of my favorite meats to grill. Versatile, tender, and costs a fraction of it’s beef equivalent.
EdwinQuote Reply
Good point from the article about buying a meat/cooking thermometer. Cook to temperature, not time. Having a solid instant read thermometer has really helped me step up my grilling/roasting/cooking game.
EdwinQuote Reply
Beef ribs are secretly the best meat imo and I’d get it over steak in 99% of circumstances.
MylesQuote Reply
Cubs apparently asked about Verlander. I guess he wouldn’t cost anything, but why? What’s the point?
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
The 2006 Cardinals.
ceruleanQuote Reply
dmick89,
And apparently the Tigers want a big return without eating salary.
In other news, I would like billions of dollars and some Manhattan real estate.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Current status: making cole slaw.
berseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing) nice throw by Lester
dmick89Quote Reply
This Ian Happ kid might be okay
berseliusQuote Reply
Heyward! I missed the DL activation.
berseliusQuote Reply
Cubes lose.
dmick89Quote Reply
berselius,
He has a ridiculous .313 ISO.
dmick89Quote Reply
I hate fireworks. They scare the shit out of dogs and they smell really bad.
dmick89Quote Reply
Gah, Jeff Garlin just crashed the radio booth.
berseliusQuote Reply
The starters love giving up home runs. Can’t help themselves.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m really tired of the Cubs leaving huge holes in the infield when there’s a pitcher in a bunt situation.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
You’re out of here. That was the worst thing every done on this site.
RynoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
This is where Javy strikes out trying to hit it 5000 feet.
dmick89Quote Reply
At least it’s nice having Zobrist and Heyward back.
berseliusQuote Reply
Rizzo got screwed.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Sliding into first is dumb.
dmick89Quote Reply
Cmon Zo
berseliusQuote Reply
At least the Cubs offense has improved enough to give us teaser rallies. #progress
berseliusQuote Reply
Cubes win! Cubes win!
Too bad the Cubs lost.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Got one you recommend? I’ve been meaning to pick one up.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I heard that they were looking for a massive return because they weren’t expecting salary relief?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I’m not a fan of meat thermometers, but if you’re going to get one, just buy one of the cheaper ones and make sure it’s reading 32 degrees in a glass of ice water. As long as it’s doing that, you’re good to go and it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than some of the more expensive meat thermometers.
dmick89Quote Reply
Don’t conditionally tell me what to do.
berseliusQuote Reply
The one I use is from Weber. I think I got it for around $20. If you want the best, Thermapen is the brand to go with. Maverick DT-09GG is another good for just $20, and if you buy it on Amazon you can get it bundled with a really nice refrigerator magnet from Amazingribs.com which shows cooking temps for all types of meats. I highly recommend that Amazingribs site in general. They have a lot of great techniques, and reviews of grills, smokers, accessories, and kitchen gadgets.
EdwinQuote Reply
There’s a digital one at academy that works great. I leave the probe in the flat of a brisket, close my smoker and stick the reader to the door (there’s a magnet on it). I think it cost $20.
RynoQuote Reply
Instead of digital I prefer my thermometers to use goddamned steam.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
I disembowel a bird and read its entrails to get a sense of when my steaks are done.
berseliusQuote Reply
Haruspicy is a perfectly cromulent method of gauging temperature.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Cubs lose.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Cubes lose again.
dmick89Quote Reply
Lackey should probably stop giving up so many hits.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
it’s kind of amazing he hasn’t given up a couple home runs yet.
dmick89Quote Reply
Tight zone today.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I confuse Blake Snell with Ian Snell.
EdwinQuote Reply
I don’t like Happ swinging at that 3-0 pitch.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This team sucks.
dmick89Quote Reply
Glad to see that whole clubhouse shakeup thing has worked out.
uncle daveQuote Reply
I don’t know if the runner is out, but that’s a hell of a tag either way.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
uncle dave,
One cannot expect to get away with criticizing a number four or five starter like Jake Arrieta.
dmick89Quote Reply
Not sure what is more infuriating, these line drives right at fielders or the warning track fly balls.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Jay!!!!!!!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Happ!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Hard to believe they pitched to Happ.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m more surprised they left a sidewinding southpaw in to face all those righties.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It made some sense to pitch to Happ there, since he strikes out a lot.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Uehara!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I assumed they’d put Happ on, bring in a righty and face Almora. I’m not sure how important Happ as a runner is there. By the time he’d come around to score you’d already have a very small chance of coming back at 5-3. I’d have put Happ on and brought in a righty.
dmick89Quote Reply
As you said yesterday, Almora sucks against RHP.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Not good baserunning there, but at least they screwed the closer.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Wow, Dellin Betances is walking nearly a batter per inning.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
And somehow still has a 2 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio.
dmick89Quote Reply
Cubs —> Even Steven.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
#WeAreAverage
dmick89Quote Reply
I feel like I already know what the Cubs will do tomorrow.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
They’ll give up 3 in the first.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
They’ll get some baserunners via the base on balls, and then they’ll eliminate them with double plays.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The-answer-to-the-ultimate-question-of-life-the universe-and-everything wins and the-answer-to-the-ultimate-question-of-life-the universe-and-everything losses. Who knew the answer was a zero-sum game?
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
A strange game. The only winning move is not to play.
EdwinQuote Reply
Lackey——>10 day DL
War Bear——>Cubs
PerkinsQuote Reply
Victor Caratini totally knew he would generate 300+ comments even on a fringe Cubs blog.
SKQuote Reply
Just on the off chance that you might ask, the answer is that answers are not the answer, in fact, more often than not, they’re the problem.
SKQuote Reply
Perkins,
Now that’s some creative use of the new 10-day DL.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
In all honesty, I wonder how many starting pitchers are going on the DL in the few days leading up to the All-Star break.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
They should change the name from the Disabled List to the Reserve List. The DL could be just the 60-day with 40-man roster implications. Let teams place guys on the Reserve List regardless of “injury”.
ceruleanQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
CF Jay
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
2B Happ
LF Schwarber
C Contreras
RF Heyward
SS Baez
P Monty
berseliusQuote Reply
Don’t. Walk. Villar.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Welp.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Nothing to worry about. Just the normal 1 run the Cubs spot each opposing team.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
It happens when you walk the speedy leadoff man.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The pitching has been considerably better than expected so far.
dmick89Quote Reply
If you were truly the optimist around here, you would have predicted only two runs.
berseliusQuote Reply
I feel like someone should have told the Cubs they’d probably have a better chance of winning games if they didn’t dig themselves so many holes early in the game. I thought this stuff was taught at AAA.
dmick89Quote Reply
berselius,
Even the most optimistic person (me) can look pessimistic every once in awhile. It’s rare, but you’re a math guy. You know it’s possible.
dmick89Quote Reply
Cubs sure are trying to make this one tough on themselves.
EdwinQuote Reply
YOU IDIOT, GET BACK IN THERE AND SELL, SELL!
uncle daveQuote Reply
I just noticed Schwarber struck out in his first PA back, because of course.
EdwinQuote Reply
brb gonna go find some Sox fans and start a “CUBS SUCK” chant
uncle daveQuote Reply
Gameday thinks every pitch Leathersich throws is a changeup.
EdwinQuote Reply
This fucking game. Gah.
EdwinQuote Reply
We stinks.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
That’s incorrect. Every pitch he throws is a ball.
uncle daveQuote Reply
This outing by Leathersich is one of the worst RP outings I’ve seen in quite a while.
EdwinQuote Reply
He’s actually throwing to some decent locations per Gameday, but he’s getting no calls on any of his borderline pitches.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
That’s weird. He throws fairly hard.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
you moneyball assholes are blind to the fact that players always play better when they are in a hole. it’s called motivation/grit/scrappiness and it’s an excellent strategy.
KenricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Welcome to the bigs, Jack Leathersich (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Cubs load the bases with no outs and Bryant and Rizzo coming up and only score one run.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Still wrong. Every pitch he throws scores a run.
dmick89Quote Reply
The Brewers have a better record than the Cubs.
The Brewers lead the Cubs by almost 5 games and it’s not even the all star break.
The Brewers are actually a better and more talented team than the Cubs.
I expected none of those sentences to be true this decade. Each of them is true and the Cubs won the World Series last year and were supposed to be the best team in the division for a long time.
dmick89Quote Reply
It’s actually a good thing the Cubs have pretty much eliminated themselves this early. It’s reminiscent of all the other years I’ve been a fan and who doesn’t like reminiscing? It also gives me the rest of the summer off and I don’t have to worry at all about baseball until 2018 at the earliest.
dmick89Quote Reply
I guess it’s not a big deal that a RP gets a PA in a blowout like this, but it’s still strange to see.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
yeah, if you’re going to do it, do it in a game like this. Joe just likes letting relievers bat. I don’t get it.
dmick89Quote Reply
yeah but neither of these ^^^ things were supposed to be true either so it’s a wash
KenricoPallazzoQuote Reply
*stares across office at World Series Champions banner*
berseliusQuote Reply
Jon Jay got a swinging strike on a pitch under 60 mph.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I thought the Cubs would come back to win this one.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
That’s probably the highlight of the year for this version of the Cubs.
dmick89Quote Reply
At least we can pencil the Cubs in for a win tomorrow.
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
Is Butler starting or something? (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply