Edwin Jackson’s Results Finally Matched the Performance and Other Bullets

edwin jackson cubsSo, ‘Game of Thrones’ is over once again. In total, I thought this season was good, but not quite as good as the first two seasons. The penultimate episode of Season Three notwithstanding, it didn’t feel like a whole lot happened. Just a lot of marching in the direction of things happening. That is not to say that I didn’t love it, or that I won’t be impatiently awaiting its return for the next 10 months.

  • The secret to Edwin Jackson’s results matching his underlying performance? Not taking the game too seriously. “Today I just told myself come out and have fun,” Jackson said of yesterday’s game, per Sahadev Sharma. “Whatever happens, let it happen. Have fun, stay relaxed, stay loose and just play the game. Sometimes we take the game too serious and we get confined in a bubble. Today I was able to come out of that bubble and have some fun out there.” Yes, it may have been a matter of seriousness. Or …
  • Rather than belabor the argument I made earlier in the season (the one about Jackson pitching much better than his ERA suggested), I’ve made it a point to highlight his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching – an advanced stat that focuses only on those aspects of a pitcher’s performance that are within his control) in Pre-Gamin’ posts for his starts. It’s my subtle way of reminding folks that the advanced stats say Jackson has pitched as well as he ever has, but was simply having the bad luck associated with balls finding holes and all hits coming in bunches. After yesterday’s start, Jackson’s FIP is down to 3.39 – 18th best in the National League. no, you don’t completely throw out the 5.76 ERA. But it isn’t the end-all-be-all of a guy’s performance, and I believe Jackson is an extreme example of how it can be misleading.
  • (Dale Sveum pretty much nailed the Jackson issue before the game, per Bruce Miles: “All it takes is for half of the groundballs to be caught. Unfortunately, they just seem to be finding holes. Obviously, we put a lot of effort into putting people in the right positions and the calculations. His groundballs seem to be overwhelming to the opposite of where they’re supposed to go. It’s unfortunate that’s happened quite often. He’s keeping the ball on the ground, on the earth. In big situations, the ball is just going through the hole constantly. It’s unfortunate.”)
  • I think some folks thought my Jeff Baker comment in yesterday’s EBS was sarcastic, but it wasn’t. When Jeff Baker was at his best with the Cubs, he was a quality utility infielder (and part-time outfielder), who crushed lefties. He was very good at it, and he was very valuable in that role. To date, Cody Ransom has provided very similar value for the Cubs. In other words, he’s playing like Jeff Baker when Jeff Baker was good for the Cubs. And Baker’s doing the same thing for Texas this year.
  • Kevin Gregg’s save yesterday was his first in nearly a month (May 12). Usually that’s something you say about a guy who’s been struggling, but that isn’t Gregg. The Cubs haven’t won many games during that stretch, and, when they have, the wins have tended to be blowouts.
  • Josh Vitters is headed to Arizona to finalize his rehab on the rib cage strain that put him out of commission in late May. He should be back soon, though he’s already had several injuries this year, which have limited him to just 19 games.
  • Speaking of Iowa third base prospects, Junior Lake is impressing everyone in his first few days at AAA, particularly at the plate, according to Tommy Birch. That said, he’s already made five errors, and he’s not really a “third base” prospect – he plays there some, as well as the outfield. He’s going to keep moving all over, and a key to his future success in the bigs is the ability to play passable defense at a large variety of positions.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    The Cardinals Couldn’t Challenge a Play Because a Security Guard Got in the Way

    Although challenges have become a staple of Major League Baseball, the league is still working on the optimal timing. The timing of doing the whole "hang on a minute, we're checking" thing, the timing of when you've got to signal...

    Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Win an Extra-Innings Thriller in Arizona

    Although you'd always love to see more offense throughout a game, it's hard to argue with a thrilling, come-from-behind, late-innings, then-extra-innings win. That's what the Chicago Cubs pulled off last night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with a great performance from...

    STUD: Nico Hoerner Won That Game for the Cubs With Sheer Will

    In a game where a rookie pitching prospect makes the best start of his career, a key set-up man has a bounceback performance after a rough start to his season, and a formerly dominant reliever toiling away in Triple-A comes...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2 – April 15, 2024

    Un-be-lievable. That game went from snooze-fest to nail-biter in a HURRY. And I don't think I'm too far off base saying the Cubs got pretty lucky in that one. Not only were they able to tie the game in the...

    NO WAY! Michael Busch Ties Cubs HR History with Yet ANOTHER Home Run

    Coming into tonight's game, Michael Busch had homered in four straight contests. The streak was notable enough for all the obvious reasons, but it was especially interesting because all four long balls came with two strikes and all four came...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Diamondbacks – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs are opening up a new series tonight in Arizona, and they'll do it without their ace, Justin Steele, their No. 3, Jameson Taillon, one of their top relievers, Julian Merryweather, and, their most important hitter....

    Oh, No! Seiya Suzuki to the IL with an Oblique Injury

    I hate Mondays. I hate the NL West. And I hate obliques. After losing their No. 3 starter before the season (Jameson Taillon), their ace on Opening Day (Justin Steele), and one of their best relievers a week ago (Julian...

    The West Coast is Almost Behind Us (But Not Yet!) – Cubs vs Diamondbacks Series Preview

    Cubs vs Diamondbacks — This West Coast nonsense is nearly at an end. Following this three-game road series against the Diamondbacks, the Cubs will head back home for four-straight games against the Marlins at Wrigley Field, followed by a schedule...

    Andrew McCutchen is an Extremely Elite Person

    As NL Central dwellers, we've long known two things about Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen: (1) he's pretty darn good at baseball, and (2) he's an even better person. The latest example of both comes by way of his 300th...

    More Fun with Michael Busch’s Historic Home Run Streak

    It's still way too early to make definitive statements on the surprise offseason trade that netted the Cubs Michael Busch and Yency Almonte from the Dodgers in exchange for pitching prospect Jackson Ferris and outfield prospect Zyhir Hope. I look...

    Latest News

    Las Vegas Raiders Draft Picks: Full List of NFL Draft Selections

    Raiders fans are ready for the 2024 NFL Draft after missing the playoffs in 2023. Check out the Raiders full list of draft selections for 2024. More: Get on 4for4 for all of your fantasy football needs and for great betting...

    Buffalo Bills Draft Picks: Full List of NFL Draft Selections

    The Buffalo Bills are still looking to take the next step with Josh Allen and will be hoping to add more talent around him in the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the Bills selections in the draft. More: Get access...

    The Cardinals Couldn’t Challenge a Play Because a Security Guard Got in the Way

    Although challenges have become a staple of Major League Baseball, the league is still working on the optimal timing. The timing of doing the whole "hang on a minute, we're checking" thing, the timing of when you've got to signal...

    Yankees vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

    The New York Yankees (12-5) play on Tuesday at 7:07 PM ET against the Toronto Blue Jays (9-8), who enter the contest with a three-game winning streak.The probable pitchers are Carlos Rodon (1-0) for the Yankees and Yusei Kikuchi (0-1)...

    Mets vs. Pirates Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

    The New York Mets (8-8) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-6) at Citi Field on Tuesday, beginning at 7:10 PM ET.The Mets will call on Jose Quintana (1-1) versus the Pirates and Jared Jones (1-2).Mets vs. Pirates Pitcher Matchup and Game...

    Red Sox vs. Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

    The Cleveland Guardians (11-5) go on the road at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox (9-8) at 7:10 PM ET on Tuesday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Red Sox will send Garrett Whitlock (1-0) to the mound,...

    Giants vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

    The Miami Marlins (3-14) play at home against the San Francisco Giants (7-10) at LoanDepot park. The game is set to begin at 6:40 PM ET on Tuesday.The probable starters are Jordan Hicks (2-0) for the Giants and Ryan Weathers...

    Rays vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

    The Tampa Bay Rays (9-8) face off against the Los Angeles Angels (8-8) on Tuesday at Tropicana Field at 6:50 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Rays will send Aaron Civale (2-1) to the mound, while Jose...

    Phillies vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

    The Colorado Rockies (4-13) square off against the Philadelphia Phillies (9-8) on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park after a three-game losing streak. The contest starts at 6:40 PM ET.The Phillies will give the ball to Ranger Suarez (2-0, 2.65 ERA),...

    bet365 Bonus Code: New Users Get $1000 Safety Net or $150 in Bonus Bets

    The NBA Play-In Tournament gets started tonight, there is MLB action, and much more in the sports betting world to wager on. Use the bet365 Sportsbook bonus code to get a promotion. Check out the details along with odds for...

    more cubs news