That means you get me for the full 38 straight hours at the Trade Deadline next week, but I don’t think we should stop there. At $18,000, we will have raised enough to sponsor THREE wishes for children and their families, so we should totally go for that. I’m looking for suggestions for things I can offer to do during the Blogathon in exchange for additional donations (i.e., if you have ideas for things I can do, drop them in the comments, and then I’ll post later what I’ll agree to do if we reach $18,000).
Obviously Kyle Schwarber was the big story last night, but, since he got his own post earlier this morning – and a Schwarber-centric EBS – the game-related bits in these Bullets will be about things other than Schwarber, except for this one. You can read Joe Maddon’s comments on Schwarber here at Cubs.com, and I find it interesting that he was quick to deflect any praise of the bat and focus instead on Schwarber’s work behind the plate. The needed development there remains obvious, but he did just catch 13 innings and a bunch of different pitchers last night, with different repertoires, difference velocities, etc. He may not be an everyday catcher long-term, but I maintain that what this 22-year-old with very little high-level catching experience is doing right now is crazy impressive.
Jason Hammel made it through five innings and 97 pitches last night, which is the good news, as he returned from a two week break and a mild hamstring issue. The bad news is that he didn’t look especially sharp, and he is still bothered by leg issues (according to the Tribune, it’s now moved down to his left calf – if you’ve ever had a leg problem, you know it’s not uncommon to get over one thing only to find a problem has cropped up in another area due to compensation). All in all, it’s just good to see Hammel back. Needless to say, he’s of critical importance to the Cubs over the next few months.
That Tribune report suggests that the Cubs could push Hammel’s next start back a bit to give him extra rest, but also says that Clayton Richard will start on Monday, and this Sun-Times report indicates that the plan is to have Hammel and Richard switch spots, which would actually have Hammel pitching on normal rest on Sunday. It’s a little confusing, which I am guessing is at least in part due to the many inputs: an off-day tomorrow, Hammel’s injury, the possibility of acquiring a new fifth starter in the coming days, trying to match up starters against the best possible opponents, and Tsuyoshi Wada’s rehab. In other words, the plan today might not be the plan tomorrow or the next day. Let’s just say: Hammel is probably going to start Sunday or Monday, and, unless another starter comes along before then, Richard is probably going to start the other day.
Speaking of Tsuyoshi Wada, he pitched last night for the Iowa Cubs (which would line him up to start again on Sunday), and, although he struck out 3 and didn’t give up any walks through 4.1, he got hit. A lot. Eight hits and six earned runs over the course of his 85 pitches. He might not be ready to return just yet.
Because he’s pitching in today’s doubleheader, Dallas Beeler won’t be on scheduled to factor into the whole Sunday/Monday thing. For whatever it’s worth, lefty Drake Britton (not on 40-man) moved back into the rotation at Iowa four starts ago, and has been pretty solid since then. Just leaving that out there as a fill in possibility should the need arise.
All that said: can we put to bed the notion that the Cubs don’t need another starting pitcher because the pitching has been so solid lately? It’s unfathomable to me that anyone could read those last three bullets and not immediately think: “Wow, the Cubs really do need to add another starter before the Trade Deadline.” I wrote about it this weekend, and it’s all still true.
Perhaps the only time you’ll hear me mention pitcher wins this year: Jason Motte is second on the team with 7 wins, behind only Jake Arrieta (11). Whateves. Motte’s been good, but the win total doesn’t tell you much of anything about it, much like Jon Lester’s 5 wins (and 8 losses) or Travis Wood’s 5 wins or Edwin Jackson’s 2 wins.
Chris Coghlan’s home run last night was initially ruled a triple, and, because a fan may have touched the ball, Reds manager Bryan Price challenged whether it should have actually been a double. After the review, the hit was correctly changed to a homer – not exactly what Price was looking for. I guess the lesson there is be careful when you seek a review.
It’s truly remarkable that a guy who played shortstop in the big leagues for so many years is this bad in left field (and makes you a little nervous about just assuming any Cubs convert could play out there):
The "best" of Hanley Ramirez in left field (AKA, why someone with .261/.305/.474, 19 HR, 46 RBI has -0.8 WAR) #RedSoxpic.twitter.com/Yf0hr4gDZV
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.
For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...
What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....
So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...
CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...
Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....
With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...
Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...
Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...
Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...
In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...
The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...
Bailey Ober takes the ball for the Minnesota Twins (9-13) when they host starter Mike Soroka and the Chicago White Sox (3-20) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to...
On Thursday, going for a series sweep, Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs (14-9) play the Houston Astros (7-17), with first pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field.The article below will give you everything you need to watch...
Salvador Perez and the Kansas City Royals (14-10) host Daulton Varsho and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.See how to watch the Kansas City-Toronto matchup below.When is Royals...
Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (16-8) host Abraham Toro and the Oakland Athletics (9-15) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 7:05 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need to watch New...
For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...
The Philadelphia Phillies (15-9), led by Alec Bohm, visit Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (13-10) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday in the rubber match of the series.The article below will provide you with everything you need...
The Milwaukee Brewers (14-8), with Freddy Peralta on the mound, visit the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11) who will hand the ball to Mitch Keller, at 12:35 PM ET on Thursday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch...
Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-11) visit the Washington Nationals (10-12) on Thursday, with first pitch at 4:05 PM ET, and the Dodgers looking for a series sweep.The article below will give you everything you need to know...
The Cleveland Cavaliers are slight 1.5-point underdogs for Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Thursday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on NBA. The Cavaliers have a 2-0...
NEWSLETTER
Due to your amazing generosity, we passed the $12,000 mark yesterday in the BN Blogathon fundraiser for Make-A-Wish!
