Rekindling the Cubs-Cardinals Rivalry and Other Bullets

ted lilly crushes yadier molinaA Happy Labor Day to folks grilling stuff while wearing white and not working. There’s baseball to be played today, so I’ll be here as usual. Check in periodically in between beers and flips.

Reminder: BNTV records a new episode tomorrow, which means you can send in your questions and comments to BNTV at bleachernation dot com. I don’t really do a “mailbag” here at BN, so this is the vehicle by which you can ask those questions.

  • St. Louis Cardinals: Overreacting the RIGHT WAY Since 1892. The latest iteration included pitcher John Lackey yelling at Starlin Castro after the Cubs’ shortstop popped out and shouted at himself in Spanish. Apparently Lackey didn’t care for it, and the resulting discussions included not only Castro and Lackey, but also Yadier Molina and Cubs first base coach Eric Hinske, each of whom was trying to calm things back down. Reading Patrick Mooney’s account, you can put together a picture where perhaps Lackey didn’t like Castro being mad at himself for missing a pitch (because the implication was that it was a bad pitch that Castro feels he should have driven), and instead of just being happy to get the out, Lackey inserted himself.
  • And then there was manager Mike Matheny (according to Jim DeShaies during the broadcast) yelling at the Cubs for throwing high and tight to Matt Holliday … with the bases loaded … in the 8th inning … of a tie game. Yes, the pitch was totally intentional. My advice? Busy yourself readying another reliever to bat, and worry less about imagined transgressions by the other team.
  • (All that said: it’s good to see the rivalry starting to percolate once again. It’s been one-sided for too long, and it’s good for both teams, and for baseball, for them to have a little meaningful antipathy.)
  • Jorge Soler arrives at Wrigley Field today (1:20) when the Cubs take on the Brewers. I hope to get many reports from folks taking in the atmosphere. It should be pretty good.
  • Speaking of the Brewers, they made the big waiver deadline deal in the NL Central yesterday, picking up reliever Jonathan Broxton from the Reds for a couple PTBNLs. Those players probably won’t be too significant, given that the Brewers are believed to be picking up not only the remaining $1.9 million on Broxton’s salary this year, but also the $9 million he’s owed in 2015 and the possible $2 million buyout of a 2016 option (that’s a pretty significant salary shed for the Reds next year – nicely done). Broxton, 30, has a sub-2.00 ERA this year, but a FIP over 3.50 and an xFIP over 4.27. His 19.6% K rate and 9.0% BB rate are both right around average for all pitchers – not exactly what you want to see in a late-inning reliever, especially one that you’re paying so much money. The Brewers are clearly going full bore for 2014 at the expense of 2015. Probably the right move for them, and a really great move for the Reds, who have a serious salary crunch looming on the horizon.
  • We recently talked about the Cubs’ Mr. Everything, Anthony Giansanti, a minor league who has played every position except catcher and center field for the Smokies this year (including pitching), and he has played those positions, too, in recent years. He can do it all. But he can’t claim to have done what this Brewers minor leaguer did: namely, he played every single position in a single game. Obviously that was a unique circumstance, and the Smokies’ playoff hopes – dashed yesterday – precluded them doing the same thing for Giansanti. But that would be pretty cool. Then again, the Smokies do have one game left today, and since they’re eliminated from the post-season …
  •  

    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

    Justin Steele, Hamstrings and Hindsight, Montgomery and Bieber, Roster Options, More

    You can't know what's going to happen on the injury front. Trying to predict the unpredictability of player health has been the longest-running vexatious part of a modern front office's job, and I recognize that kind of thing before getting...

    The Morel Foul Ball, Madrigal’s D, Busch Heads Up, Langford Respect, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Ah, now the obligatory off-day after Opening Day. And an Opening Day loss no less, which always makes today that much better, right ... You could hang on so many things from the opening loss - one-run losses in heavily-scrutinized...

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    Latest News

    Bulls vs. Nets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Brooklyn Nets (28-45) face the Chicago Bulls (35-38) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Barclays Center. It tips at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS.Last time out, the Bulls won on Wednesday 125-99 over the Pacers. The Nets are coming...

    How to Watch Knicks vs. Spurs: Live Stream or on TV

    The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to build on a three-game winning run when visiting the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center. It airs at 8:00 PM ET on BSSW.In their most recent...

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) go up against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS.The Cavaliers dropped their last outing 118-111 against the Hornets on Wednesday. The...

    Astros vs. Yankees Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Houston Astros will take the field against the New York Yankees (1-0) on Friday. The game begins at 8:10 PM ET on Apple TV+, with the Astros listed as -121 favorites on the moneyline.Houston's Cristian Javier and New York's...

    Kawhi Leonard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Los Angeles Clippers play the Orlando Magic on Friday at 7:00 PM ET, and if the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard drains two 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Kawhi Leonard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the MagicKawhi Leonard's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Miles Bridges Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Warriors – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Charlotte Hornets face the Golden State Warriors at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires two treys from Miles Bridges.Miles Bridges' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the WarriorsMiles Bridges' over/under for...

    Deni Avdija Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pistons – Friday, March 29, 2024

    At 7:00 PM ET on Friday, it'll be the Washington Wizards versus the Detroit Pistons, with Deni Avdija needing two trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Deni Avdija's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PistonsDeni Avdija's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

    James Harden Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Will James Harden make three 3-pointers when the Los Angeles Clippers play the Orlando Magic on Friday at 7:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.James Harden's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the MagicJames Harden's over/under for...

    Jordan Poole Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pistons – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Washington Wizards meet the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires three trifectas from Jordan Poole.Jordan Poole's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PistonsJordan Poole's over/under for three-pointers...

    Kelly Oubre Jr. Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – Friday, March 29, 2024

    On Friday at 7:30 PM ET, the Philadelphia 76ers play the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Kelly Oubre Jr.'s 3-pointer prop for this clash requires two trifectas.Kelly Oubre Jr.'s Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CavaliersKelly Oubre Jr.'s over/under for three-pointers in this...

    more cubs news