The Pirates Seem Pretty Perturbed by the Cubs These Days and Other Bullets

May 15, 2016

With yesterday’s win and the Cardinals’ late night loss, the Cubs’ lead in the NL Central is a full 9.0 games over both the Pirates and the Cardinals. The season is very much starting to look like last year, with the Cardinals blasting out to such a huge early-season lead that it wound up not even making sense for the Cubs or Pirates to make big rental moves at the deadline to try and make a run. Of course, each of the Cubs and Pirates blew up late anyway, and the Cardinals faded a bit, so it was close down to the wire (making that huge early-season lead, and the decisions it drove, all the more important). It makes you wonder if the Cubs could do the same thing to the Cardinals and Pirates this year – make the division look so unlikely that they don’t go for huge upgrades at the deadline.

Speaking of the Pirates, boy were they frustrated by yesterday’s loss (and, presumably, the four that preceded it this year, and the Wild Card Game loss that preceded this year). In the 4th inning, after giving up two runs, clearly not having great command (he’d just thrown a wild pitch), and reeling a bit, Jake Arrieta hit Jung-Ho Kang with a runner on base. About that HBP, Pirates starter Jeff Locke had this to say after the game (Cubs.com): “I think any time someone like Arrieta hits somebody, you have to assume automatically that one didn’t just get away. He’s been pretty sharp all year … so when he misses like that, maybe you raise an eyebrow or something like that, too .… I don’t know what happened on the pitch. It got him pretty flush, though. It just seems a guy like that, with pinpoint accuracy, doesn’t just miss in.” I have some thoughts on how utterly ridiculous that suggestion is in that particular game situation, but I’ll like the Cubs’ battery take care of responding to anyone saying hitting Kang was on purpose.[adinserter block=”1″]

From Miguel Montero (CSN): “Nah. I mean, c’mon. Really? You guys saw him. He was wild. He walked the pitcher on four pitches. Nah. That’s really stupid. Seriously, that’s stupid to say. [Arrieta] doesn’t want to hit him. I guarantee that.”

Then, from Arrieta:

@RicoInAnkeny @Cubs @Matt_Maisel @JustChrisLeone If I hit someone intentionally, you will know.

— Jake Arrieta (@JArrieta34) May 15, 2016

For what it’s worth, I also don’t think Locke’s later HBP of Montero (ahead 0-2 in the count, only one out, in a still tight game) was intentional and/or retaliation. But I do think the Pirates still have retaliation on their mind, and they don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt after hitting Arrieta intentionally in the Wild Card Game (which was beyond ridiculous) and hitting Ben Zobrist intentionally in the last series (which was also ridiculous). I hope things are calm today.

We speculated about it yesterday upon Miguel Montero’s return, and it sure sounds like it was true based on some of their post-game comments here at Cubs.com – Arrieta works really well with Montero, especially, so it’s good to have him back.

Teammates, coaches, manager, and everyone watching is impressed by Addison Russell (Tribune).[adinserter block=”2″]

The Phillies beat the Reds last night thanks to this game-saving play at the plate last night (walk-off defensive play? I think that should be a thing if you end the game on a non-standard, killer play, like that David Ross throw to first base against the Nationals last year, or that Phillies play), improving their record to 22-15. Yes, the Phillies are just 1.0 games behind the Nationals in the NL East, and a half-game ahead of the Mets. If the season ended today, they’d be one of the Wild Card teams! I doubt they’ll actually be there in the end, but unlike when everyone said the Cubs were a year early in 2015 in their rebuild, the Phillies really are a year (or more) early right now. They are going to be very, very good as soon as 2017. The only thing that might hold them back from a true explosion is a weak free agent class – with their resources, they’re going to want to supplement their young core aggressively in free agency when the time is right.

Standing desk – anyone got one? Worth it? There’s a good one on sale at Amazon right now, but it’s still pretty expensive. Am I better off just getting one of those ball chair things, or maybe even just stacking some boxes on my desk and putting my computer on there (or getting a small coffee table or something)? Some days my back just tells me I could probably stand to stand.

If you missed it earlier, we looked at the Cubs’ crazy double play yesterday, as well as their homers. Luke checked in on the blowout wins in the farm system, and the exit of a popular minor leaguer.[adinserter block=”3″]

A couple guys worth rooting for:

https://twitter.com/ShaneVictorino/status/731492023811903488

Harper doin’ his thing:

Bryce Harper's bat with a "MBFA 2016" sticker – Make Baseball Fun Again. pic.twitter.com/afA7ysCxSw

— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) May 14, 2016

Arrieta doin’ his thing:

Jake Arrieta is very good. Andrew McCutchen is very confused. pic.twitter.com/I0OYsOFH5l

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) May 15, 2016

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

Interesting Night from Fill-In, Multi-Inning Closer Keegan Thompson

We are still less than a year removed from a time when Keegan Thompson was expected to be a critical part of the Chicago Cubs' bullpen. He had been so good transitioning into a multi-inning role in 2021 and 2022...

Brett Taylor

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 16, 2024: Studs and Duds of the Week

With no minor league action on Mondays, I figured we would use Tuesdays to highlight some of the best and worst performances on the Cubs farm over the last week. Triple-A Iowa Cubs Studs & Duds of the Week Luis...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner’s Extremely High Hit and Two Even Higher Ones in Recent Memory

By now you've seen Nico Hoerner's jarringly-high game-winning hit from last night's game against the Diamondbacks, and I've kinda been chuckling about it all morning. I thought Sarah Langs offered some fun context for just how high that pitch was:...

Brett Taylor

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

NO WAY! Michael Busch Ties Cubs HR History with Yet ANOTHER Home Run

Coming into tonight's game, Michael Busch had homered in four straight contests. The streak was notable enough for all the obvious reasons, but it was especially interesting because all four long balls came with two strikes and all four came...

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

STUD: Nico Hoerner Won That Game for the Cubs With Sheer Will

In a game where a rookie pitching prospect makes the best start of his career, a key set-up man has a bounceback performance after a rough start to his season, and a formerly dominant reliever toiling away in Triple-A comes...

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Luck Turning? 10% and 100-Win Pace, Neris Bounces Back, Madrigal for Morel, and Other Cubs Bullets

I won't say the Cubs luck has finally turned — not one day after they lost Seiya Suzuki to an oblique injury (while still playing without Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Julian Merryweather) — buuuuuuuuut that's two wins in a...

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Cardinals Couldn’t Challenge a Play Because a Security Guard Got in the Way

Although challenges have become a staple of Major League Baseball, the league is still working on the optimal timing. The timing of doing the whole "hang on a minute, we're checking" thing, the timing of when you've got to signal...

Brett Taylor

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Win an Extra-Innings Thriller in Arizona

Although you'd always love to see more offense throughout a game, it's hard to argue with a thrilling, come-from-behind, late-innings, then-extra-innings win. That's what the Chicago Cubs pulled off last night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with a great performance from...

Brett Taylor

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2 – April 15, 2024

Un-be-lievable. That game went from snooze-fest to nail-biter in a HURRY. And I don't think I'm too far off base saying the Cubs got pretty lucky in that one. Not only were they able to tie the game in the...

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Diamondbacks – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs are opening up a new series tonight in Arizona, and they'll do it without their ace, Justin Steele, their No. 3, Jameson Taillon, one of their top relievers, Julian Merryweather, and, their most important hitter....

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The Seattle Mariners (7-10), led by the red-hot Jorge Polanco and his two-game homer streak, are -130 favorites to pick up a win over the Cincinnati Reds (9-7) Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, live from T-Mobile Park and broadcast on...

Data Skrive

Apr 16, 2024

Picks

Cardinals vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The St. Louis Cardinals (8-9) are set to take on the Oakland Athletics (7-10) Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, airing on BSMW. The Cardinals are listed as -148 favorites by oddsmakers, while the underdog Athletics have +124 odds for the...

Data Skrive

Apr 16, 2024

Picks

Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks (8-9) hope to avoid an upset as -124 favorites when they take on Michael Busch (homers in five straight contests) and the Chicago Cubs (10-6). First pitch is at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday, live from Chase...

Data Skrive

Apr 16, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Will Smith, batting .369 this season, leads the Los Angeles Dodgers (11-8) into a matchup with one of the league's other top hitters, Jesse Winker (.354 AVG) and the Washington Nationals (7-9). Smith and the Dodgers are -276 favorites on...

Data Skrive

Apr 16, 2024

Washington Commanders 7-Round Mock Draft

Chicago Bears

The Washington Commanders Are Hosting a Pre-Draft QB Group Date

The MMQB's Albert Breer shares an anecdote about the Washington Commanders pre-draft process. Washington, which holds the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is hosting a bunch of quarterbacks for top-30 visits this week. Together. In the same place....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 16, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Mariners vs. Reds Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

The Cincinnati Reds (9-7) face off against the Seattle Mariners (7-10) on the road on Tuesday beginning at 9:40 PM ET.The Mariners will give the nod to Logan Gilbert and the Reds will turn to Hunter Greene (0-1, 4.86 ERA).Mariners...

Matt Rooney

Apr 16, 2024

NHL Picks

Stars vs. Blues Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues face off on Wednesday at American Airlines Center in Dallas, and the oddsmakers give a big edge to the home team (-225) over the visitor (+185).Stars vs. Blues Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Stars (-225)Underdog:...

Brian Twining

Apr 16, 2024

NHL Picks

Oilers vs. Coyotes Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The Edmonton Oilers are at the Arizona Coyotes on April 17 at 10:00 PM ET, and have been made -205 favorites, with the home team a heavy underdog at +170.Oilers vs. Coyotes Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-205)Underdog: Coyotes (+170)Total: 6.5Best...

Brian Twining

Apr 16, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Cardinals vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

The St. Louis Cardinals (8-9) visit the Oakland Athletics (7-10) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Tuesday, beginning at 9:40 PM ET.The probable starters are Lance Lynn for the Cardinals and JP Sears (1-1) for the Athletics.Cardinals vs. Athletics Pitcher Matchup...

Matt Rooney

Apr 16, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

The Chicago Cubs (10-6) face the Arizona Diamondbacks (8-9) on the road at Chase Field on Tuesday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET. The Cubs enter the game with a three-game winning streak.The probable starters are Tommy Henry (0-1)...

Matt Rooney

Apr 16, 2024

The Pirates Seem Pretty Perturbed by the Cubs These Days and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular