Let’s Talk About the Losing Streak and Other Bullets

Jul 10, 2014

I’m headed to Chicago later today for games this weekend – specifically, if you’re there tomorrow in the bleachers, stop by right field (in the corner by the LED board) and look for the guy in the blue BN shirt and the blue/yellow shoes – but you shouldn’t notice too much of a slow down in the recent insane posting volume.

Correlation does not always implicate causation. Since trading Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel on Friday night, the Chicago Cubs have lost every game they’ve played. Being that the losing streak followed a really nice spate of games for the Cubs makes it all the more easy to say that the trade, and its deleterious clubhouse and rotation effects, have caused the Cubs to go on a losing streak. To be sure, the Cubs did have a rough pitching outing on Saturday (in place of Samardzija) and a so-so outing last night (in place of Hammel), so there’s a little something to the performance side. On the clubhouse side, I’m not so presumptuous as to say that I can tell you there was absolutely no subtle, latent, psychological impact of the trade that, by layers of extension – this affecting that, which affects this, which affects that – impacted other players’ performances. I’m sure it was tough to deal with the trade. But I’m also sure the players would tell you it didn’t affect their performance.

So, here’s the thing about the losing streak: six-game losing streaks happen. And when a team with a talent deficit loses six in a row following a stretch where they arguably won more games than they “should” have, we would usually just call that expected regression. That is to say, sometimes there isn’t a convenient boogyman. Over a 162-game season, a lot of things can happen, and losing streaks are among those things. Is there always a singular cause for those streaks? Nah. Is The Big Trade the cause of this losing streak? Nah. Maybe it didn’t help the Cubs win any games over the past week, but a thousand little things all came together to generate the outcomes of these six games. Because that’s what baseball is: the compilation of a thousand small events into one game outcome. As humans, I understand that we want a “story” to glom onto, but sometimes shit just happens.

Writing for BP, Harry Pavlidis takes a magnificently deep look at Jake Arrieta’s evolution over the years, complete with charts and pictures and videos and words.

Rick Renteria was ejected for the 5th time this season last night (Cubs.com). He was arguing a fair/foul call, but, really, he was arguing to protect his player, Luis Valbuena, who felt like he got the short end of the stick.

With his 20th homer last night, Anthony Rizzo became the first Cub in nearly 10 years to have at least 20 before the All-Star break (Derrek Lee had 27 in 2005*). Much more on Rizzo soon.

*FURCALLLLLLLL!!!!!!

Rizzo to Patrick Mooney about the influx of talent over the past couple years, and looking ahead to the future: “It’s about time we start contending.”

The big free agent contracts of the offseason? Not doing so well. We should remind ourselves of these things each November.

The big Landmarks Commission hearing on Wrigley Field is today at 12:45pm CT. Stay tuned.

Billy Beane writes an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal about the leveling of baseball analysis, with outsiders looking more and more like insiders. It’s a great read, and it immediately makes me think about the Kevin Goldsteins and Mike Fasts and Tom Tangos who’ve leveraged this new era of baseball analytics and scouting (together with their own superior intelligence/talent/hard work/etc.) into jobs in baseball. In Tango’s case, that’s a consulting gig with the Cubs, which was among the less-discussed, but deeply awesome early indicators about this front office. If outsiders are becoming less “outside,” as Beane indicates, then it becomes increasingly valuable to plumb the outsider ranks for talent.

Presented without comment (save for a nod to recent Cubs trade deadlines):

Jonathan Papelbon indicated his limited no-trade clause would not stand in the way of a trade to a contender this month.

— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 10, 2014

"Some guys want to stay on a losing team? That's mind-boggling to me," Papelbon said. "I think that's a no-brainer."
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 10, 2014

Masahiro Tanaka is officially on the DL now with “right elbow inflammation,” and that is pending those MRI results. As discussed yesterday, that could be an enormous story. Wonder if the Yankees will act quickly.

The Cubs will be doing the 1960s when they return to Wrigley Field tomorrow.

Neuro-scouting, anyone?

Keep making those (tax deductible!) donations to Make-A-Wish to get us to our Blogathon goal, and to make some kids’ wishes come true:

Want me to blog for 37 hours at Trade Deadline? Then fill up this thermometer for @MakeAWish: http://t.co/MrSSg9wRqK pic.twitter.com/sx7jP7Dh92
— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) July 10, 2014

written by

Brett Taylor

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

Brewers Pitcher Jakob Junis Taken Off Field in an Ambulance After Being Struck by BP Ball

A very scary scene in Pittsburgh, where Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis, currently on the IL with a shoulder impingement, took a batting practice ball off the neck and went down. Junis was apparently on the ground for a long...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner is Back to Being Nico Hoerner

On April 9, I took an early look at Nico Hoerner's apparently evolving approach at the plate, which featured a lot more patience and a lot more big hacks. Effectively, it seemed like he was trying for a little more...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Spencer Strider Speaks (His and Other Pitcher Arm Injuries), Shohei Ohtani’s Latest Milestone, More

There's been much debate about pitcher arm injuries lately, much of it sparked by Spencer Strider's season-ending Tommy John surgery, and Strider spoke to the media for the first time since the injury on Friday. Spencer Strider on pitcher arm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Sign Lefty Pitching Prospect Mitchell Tyranski

A new signing popped up on the Chicago Cubs' transaction log: lefty Mitchell Tyranski. Tyranski, 26, put up a 3.83 ERA over 42.1 innings at High-A last year in the Dodgers organization, striking out 47 and walking 21. Were you...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs Have TWO of the Early Front-Runners for NL Rookie of the Year

We already dove deep into Shota Imanaga's latest impressive start against the Marlins yesterday. And there's been no shortage of love for Michael Busch this season either. But I do want to take this time to illustrate just how good...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

My Expectations and Realistic Hope for the Cubs VERY Tough Upcoming Schedule

Even though Sunday ended in a loss for the Chicago Cubs, we did get some good news in the form of positive injury updates. Ian Happ (hamstring) was available off the bench and could be good to go tomorrow, when...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Aaron Boone Just Got Ejected Despite Saying Literally Nothing

I know that sometimes there is a history between an umpire and a manager. I know that sometimes a manager can subtly get under the skin of an umpire without doing much that we can see or hear. And I...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024: Weekend Wrap

Let's get caught up on all of the action down on the farm in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs (13-8) The Cubs were swept in a doubleheader by the Louisville Bats...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Looking at the Positives, Bellinger and Morel Streaking (in Opposite Directions), and Other Cubs Bullets

What started as a small convo for the bullets ballooned into a deeper dive on Kyle Hendricks, what's going wrong, and where the Cubs go from here. So if you're looking for the Hendricks discussion, that was earlier today. Despite...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Latest 2024 MLB Mock Draft Lands the Cubs a Top Prospect Out of Wake Forest

Baseball America today released its updated (version 2.0) 2024 MLB mock draft. With more of the amateur season taking place, we are starting to see more of the top tier become firmly crystalized with eight names, none of whom are...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

NBA Picks

Bucks vs. Pacers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Indiana Pacers are slight 1-point underdogs in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday, beginning at 8:30 PM ET on NBA. The Bucks are ahead 1-0 in...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

NBA Picks

Timberwolves vs. Suns Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves are slight 3-point favorites in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on Tuesday, starting at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. The Timberwolves hold a 1-0 series...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

NBA Picks

Mavericks vs. Clippers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers bring a 0-1 series record into Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Mavericks are favored by 2.5 points in the matchup, which airs on TNT at 10:00 PM ET. The point...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Tuesday, Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) take on Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13), with first pitch scheduled for 7:45 PM ET at Busch Stadium.See how to watch the St. Louis-Arizona matchup below.When is Cardinals...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Hurricanes vs. Islanders NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Carolina Hurricanes are at the New York Islanders on April 25 at 7:30 PM ET, and are -155 favorites, with the home team at +130.Hurricanes vs. Islanders Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Hurricanes (-155)Underdog: Islanders (+130)Total: 5.5Best Hurricanes vs. Islanders Promo...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The bookmakers are expecting a close contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins on Wednesday in Toronto, with the Maple Leafs given moneyline odds of -115 and the Bruins at -105.Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Giants vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (11-13) host Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (12-10) at 9:45 PM ET on Tuesday.The article below will give you everything you need to watch San Francisco take on New York.When is...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Orioles vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

On Tuesday at 9:38 PM ET, Jordan Westburg and the Baltimore Orioles (15-7) face Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-14) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.See how to watch the Baltimore-Los Angeles matchup below.When is Orioles vs. Angels and...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners Series April 23-25: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

The Texas Rangers are hosting the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series, with the action getting underway at 8:05 PM ET on Tuesday, April 23.Rangers vs. Mariners Series Info Mariners @ Rangers Time: Tuesday, April 23 at 8:05 PM ET...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros Series April 23-25: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

The Houston Astros will be on the road, beginning a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, April 23 at 7:40 PM ET.Cubs vs. Astros Series Info Astros @ Cubs Time: Tuesday, April 23 at 7:40 PM ET Cubs...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

Let’s Talk About the Losing Streak and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular