Bryan LaHair Owns the Bullets and Other Bullets

This won’t make you feel much better, because the team still *looks* bad, but, if you’re just examining results, and likening it to an NFL season, the Cubs just lost their first game of the season, and are down big in the first quarter of game number two. Maybe it won’t make you feel better at all.

  • Dale Sveum offers his take on Jeff Samardzija’s poor outing yesterday against the Marlins: “Strike one hasn’t been so easy lately and that changes things around a lot, especially against an aggressive team. His split-finger, he couldn’t get that going and it was up. His secondary stuff was a little flat. Velocity was fine but command of the cutter early was killing him.” So, pretty much everything except his velocity was bad (which was how Samardzija circa 2010 would have been described).
  • No one seems worried yet about Samardzija’s struggles, and the good news is that he feels physically fine. Better than fine, actually. “I feel great and I felt awesome today,” Samardzija said, per the same article. “The arm feels unbelievable. I really feel I can go out and throw 120, 125 pitches, but I need to be taking that mental approach of not even getting into that 100-pitch mark. Just pound the zone and let my defense work behind me.”
  • The nerve issue in Bryan LaHair’s back, which sends pain down as far as his leg, is still giving him problems. “It’s preventing me from moving the way I want to, but it’s getting better,” he said. “I’m starting to increase my range, working before the game and after the game and I’m getting to the bag quicker. It will just be a matter of time before I’m playing defense how I want to.” The issue certainly hasn’t been noticeable at the plate.
  • Speaking of LaHair at the plate, Sveum says it’s time he’ll start thinking about re-tooling the lineup, with LaHair possibly moving up from the 6/7 spot.
  • More speaking of LaHair, the big first baseman will be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans at Sports World Chicago (across from Wrigley Field) after Saturday’s game. He’s doing it for charity, and $10 gets you in the door for an autograph and pictures. The money will help a program that teaches kids in Chicago Public Schools about health and fitness. Good for LaHair, and good for Sports World.
  • All-Start voting starts today, so get your clicking finger ready. Marlon Byrd ain’t gonna All-Star himself.
  • Theo Epstein has started scouting kids for the Draft. That’s right: the Cubs’ President actually goes and scouts some of the top prospects in person. And don’t worry, he’s not burning up time looking for diamonds in the rough – he’s looking at kids who’ve already been reported up the chain, starting with area scouts. Epstein knows how to delegate.
  • Like I said yesterday, the Brandon Allen waiver claim situation was set to be resolved yesterday/today, and it has been. The Cubs never had a chance to claim him, as one of the final AL teams with a chance to grab him did so – the Tampa Bay Rays. He’s pretty much a perfect fit for the Rays, who love to grab high upside, low risk, mid-20s players who could wind up being a big win for them. The last such guy they claimed? Lefty reliever John Gaub from the Cubs.
  • MLBullets at BCB, reflecting on Ivan Rodriguez’s long, great career. But that one year in Miami … for that, I cannot forgive him.
  • Reminder: your BN apparel needs live here.
  • 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

    Chicago Cubs Org Homer Party: 13 Homers for the Organization

    The big league Cubs last night beat the Astros largely on the strength of the long ball, scoring six of their seven runs that way. Cody Bellinger kicked things off with a monster two-run shot, and Mike Tauchman followed with...

    Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

    The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Astros 2 – April 23, 2024

    Well there was one big thing not to like about tonight's game - Cody Bellinger was lifted with a right rib contusion after colliding with the outfield wall - and about a million things that were great. And since we...

    Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

    Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    Pre-Gamin’: Astros at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

    Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

    I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (13-13) visit Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (6-18) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 8:40 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch San Diego square...

    Guardians vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians (17-6) roll into Wednesday's matchup with the Boston Red Sox (13-11) looking to extend a five-game winning streak. The contest starts at 6:10 PM ET on BSGL with the Guardians listed as -141 favorites on the moneyline.Carlos...

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Washington Nationals (10-12) have a home game at Nationals Park against the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-11) at 6:45 PM ET on Wednesday.The Dodgers will give the nod to Landon Knack (0-1, 3.60 ERA), who is eyeing win No. 1...

    Pirates vs. Brewers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11) host the Milwaukee Brewers (14-8). The contest at PNC Park begins at 6:40 PM ET on Wednesday.The Pirates will look to Josh Fleming (1-0) versus the Brewers and Bryse Wilson (2-0).Pirates vs. Brewers Pitcher Matchup and...

    Reds vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Philadelphia Phillies (15-9) visit the Cincinnati Reds (13-10) for a road game in Cincinnati on Wednesday. The contest begins at 6:40 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Reds will send Nick Lodolo (2-0) to the mound,...

    Rays vs. Tigers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Detroit Tigers (14-10) have an away game against the Tampa Bay Rays (12-13), who are coming off a three-game losing streak. Wednesday's contest starts at 6:50 PM ET.The Rays will give the nod to Shawn Armstrong (0-1, 4.09 ERA),...

    Yankees vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Oakland Athletics (9-15) and the New York Yankees (16-8) face off at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday at 7:05 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Yankees will send Clarke Schmidt (1-0) to the mound, while Joseph Boyle...

    Braves vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

    The Atlanta Braves (16-6) have a home game against the Miami Marlins (6-19) on Wednesday. The matchup is set to begin at 7:20 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Braves will send Reynaldo Lopez (2-0) to the...

    2024 NFL Draft QB Odds: Who are the 2nd and 3rd Quarterbacks Drafted?

    The 2024 NFL Draft is set for tomorrow and all the buzz is surrounding the top quarterback prospects in the draft. Caleb Williams is expected to go number one overall but what quarterbacks will be drafted second or third? Let's...

    Today’s Best NBA Player Prop Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    Today's NBA playoff schedule has two exciting matchups in store. Among those games is the Miami Heat taking on the Boston Celtics.One of the most fun ways to wager on the NBA is via NBA player prop bets. There are...

    more cubs news