The Cubs Are 10 Games Over .500 and Other Bullets

Aug 03, 2015

It’s been a rough couple weeks for things breaking (and flooding) at the Taylor Household. Today’s casualty? My computer. I’m not sure if it was the strain of the Blogathon (or three years of hard usage), but she’s dying on me today. It’s a problem I’ve dealt with before, and, having done so, I know that the cost of getting it fixed at this point would be better put toward a new computer. So that’s really going to disrupt my day. I’ll do my best to see that posting is not impacted, because there’s a lot to get to.

At least it was a great weekend in the Cubs’ world, with the team sweeping the Brewers in four, and rising to 10 games over .500 for the first time this season (and the first time since 2008). In so doing, the Cubs tied the Giants for the second Wild Card spot, and they’ll head into a huge week with a little positivity flowing. Baseball doesn’t always play out like we try to describe it, but it sure would be nice to look back at that Phillies series and note that it was clearly a bottoming out for the Cubs before they caught fire and raced into the playoffs.

Speaking of the playoff race, the Pirates may have to do it without starter A.J. Burnett, who has been shut down with elbow discomfort and could find out today that it is season (career?) ending.

New Cubs starter Dan Haren will debut this week, and the stretch run with the Cubs might by the last of his career (CSN).

For now, it doesn’t sounds like there’s a plan for an imminent Javier Baez promotion from Iowa (Tribune). Joe Maddon said that an injury could accelerate things, but the current preference is to let Baez keep getting his feet under him.

Semi-speaking of which (and discussed this morning by Luke), here’s more on Kris Bryant’s head injury, which may or may not keep him out of games this week. It doesn’t sound like there’s a ton of concern, but I’ve learned not to get too optimistic too early when it comes to possible concussions. It’s just something that can surprise you in the following days, and it’s something you’ve got to get 100% before you can even think about coming back to a baseball game (and the attendant fine concentration and eye focus).

Kiley McDaniel looked at all of the prospects dealt at the Trade Deadline, and he wasn’t very impressed by the two the Cubs gave up in the Dan Haren trade (Ivan Pineyro and Elliott Soto), which I guess is a good thing.

With the sweep of the Brewers, the Cubs have seen a little pop in their playoff odds, which now stand at 59.3% at FanGraphs and 62.6% at Baseball Prospectus.

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

Two NL Central Pitchers Down: Miley and Montas

A couple injuries to note among other NL Central contenders, as each of the Brewers and Reds have taken a hit to their rotation. The presumption for now is short-term on each, but I suppose we'll see. First, you have...

Brett Taylor

Apr 23, 2024

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

Picks

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 23, 2024

The MLB lineup today, which includes the Boston Red Sox squaring off against the Cleveland Guardians as one of 15 contests, should provide some fireworks.If you're looking for MLB prop bets for today's games, we're here to help. Below you'll...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Red Sox vs. Guardians Probable Starting Pitchers – April 23

The Cleveland Guardians (16-6) face the Boston Red Sox (13-10) at home at Progressive Field on Tuesday, with first pitch at 6:10 PM ET. The Guardians enter the contest with a four-game winning streak.The Red Sox will call on Tanner...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bulls

WATCH: Jamal Murray Epic Buzzer-Beater Completes 101-99 Comeback Win Over Lakers

In case you were sleeping - which let's be honest a lot of us probably were - Jamal Murray hit an awesome buzzer-beater to give the Nuggets a 101-99 Game 2 win over the Lakers. Murray's game-winner was the icing...

Matt Rooney

Apr 23, 2024

NFL

Baltimore Ravens 3-Round Mock Draft: Who Will Fall to Pick 30?

Baltimore Ravens 3-Round Mock Draft - The Baltimore Ravens haven't strayed far from their identity in recent years – a physical running team anchored by a dominant defense. However, cracks are starting to show. The offensive line struggles to consistently open holes...

Ryan Noonan

Apr 23, 2024

NFL

Los Angeles Rams 3-Round Mock Draft: Building the Trenches

Los Angeles Rams 3-Round Mock Draft - The echoes of the Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory have faded, replaced by the harsh realities of a roster in transition. Key veterans have departed, and the remaining core ages. The 2024 NFL Draft...

Ryan Noonan

Apr 23, 2024

Washington Commanders 7-Round Mock Draft

NFL

Washington Commanders 3-Round Mock Draft: Adding Depth Behind New Franchise QB

Washington Commanders 3-Round Mock Draft—After years of searching for a franchise quarterback, the Commanders hold the coveted second overall pick. The decision is clear: secure the organization's future under center. There's a top-down changing of the guard within the organization's decision-making structure,...

Ryan Noonan

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Two NL Central Pitchers Down: Miley and Montas

Brett Taylor

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Stars vs. Golden Knights NHL Playoffs First Round Game 2 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Dallas Stars are -142 on the moneyline against the Vegas Golden Knights (+130) on Wednesday, with this matchup taking place at American Airlines Center in Dallas.Stars vs. Golden Knights Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Stars (-142)Underdog: Golden Knights (+130)Total: 5.5Best Stars...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Oilers vs. Kings NHL Playoffs First Round Game 2 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings face off on Wednesday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, and the bookmakers like the home team (-180) over the visitor (+150).Oilers vs. Kings Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-180)Underdog: Kings (+150)Total: 6Best Oilers vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

76ers vs. Knicks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers are 4-point favorites in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, beginning at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. The Knicks lead the series...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

The Cubs Are 10 Games Over .500 and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular