NEWSLETTER
It was great to be at Wrigley a final time, even if the outcome from a game perspective was a meh Cubs loss to the Cardinals (and then a woooooof Cubs loss to the Cardinals). Much love to everyone I saw or didn’t see at the park this year, and I hope that never gets taken away from us again. Until the next time.
• The losses yesterday at least combined with a Twins win to give the Cubs two full games of clearance from the Twins in the Reverse Standings, holding onto that seven spot. On the other side, the Marlins just won’t stop losing, so climbing to the six seems increasingly unlikely. I’d be perfectly happy with seven, the Cubs’ highest pick since 2014.
• As for the Cardinals, their 14-game winning streak is crazy at this point, and their magic number is down to four. So if things went exactly correctly for them elsewhere this weekend, they COULD still clinch Wild Card 2 tomorrow at Wrigley. Highly unlikely. Highly undesirable.
• Jed Hoyer is in the process of interviewing GM candidates (NBCSC), and although there aren’t many details, the candidates are all external to the Cubs. The hope is that the GM can be in place well in advance of the GM Meetings in early November.
• As for the manager, it sounds like David Ross will eventually get an extension (he has one more year left on his original deal) to avoid the lame-duck situation. From Hoyer: “I think that’s a question for next week,” Hoyer said. “But it’s a fair question next week. And like I said, I love working with him. He’s already an excellent manager, and I think he has a chance to be really special in his job.”
• Jason Adam struck out the side in his reappearance after the gruesome ankle injury from May, and it was awesome to see:
• Frank Schwindel’s hitting streak is up to 13 games, and he just keeps casually putting together great games. He’s now over 200 PAs with the Cubs, hitting .366/.413/.672 (184 wRC+), with a 7.0% BB rate and a 15.4% K rate.
• Zach Davies’ forgettable season keeps getting worse:
Zach Davies has three games this season with 6+ ER and no more than 2 IP. In Cubs modern history (since 1901), only Ray Burris (1978) and Virgil Cheeves (1921) achieved that dubious feat.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 25, 2021
Dating back to July 28, Cubs starter Zach Davies has a 9.13 ERA with a 1.85 WHIP. The righty has allowed 16 homers in 45.1 IP with 44 strikeouts and 21 walks.
His season ERA has ballooned to 5.78 from 4.30 in that span.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 25, 2021
• 453 feet for Patrick Wisdom:
Patrick Wisdom. MOONSHOT. pic.twitter.com/lKl46ffn60
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) September 25, 2021
• Awesome to see Bob Odenkirk back out there:
Great to have you out at Wrigley Field, @mrbobodenkirk! 💙 pic.twitter.com/gMxAWGSJ8K
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 25, 2021
I’m a HUGE fan of @mrbobodenkirk, great to see him throw out the first pitch and sing the stretch at the #Cubs game! pic.twitter.com/U2KUCgmJr2
— Scott Changnon (@ScottyChags) September 25, 2021
• Luis and I had a lovely time, though I have no idea what we were eagerly discussing at the time:
Brett and Luis arguing about what inning it’s appropriate to start making Cupsnakes during a Double Header. pic.twitter.com/tN0pUPSC2W
— Danny Rockett (@SonRanto) September 24, 2021
• Big day tomorrow:
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens Could Provide a Template for the Way Matt Nagy Uses Justin Fieldshttps://t.co/5dftt7yf2i
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) September 24, 2021
