Your non-exhibition baseball viewing options today are somewhat limited. Very limited, in fact. Tennessee is your only option. Most minor league teams take All-Star Day off, and this barren schedule is the result.
The good news is that Tennessee is at home, so there will be a video feed. The bad news is that Tennessee does not have a very good video feed. The good news is that they have a very good broadcast crew, so it will at least be good listening.
On the mound for the Smokies will be the rehabbing Clayton Richard. Interestingly, in his last two rehab appearances he has been used as a starter. He pitched 4 innings and 62 pitches for Iowa on July 3, and then pitched 4.2 innings and 61 pitches for Tennessee on July 8. He is basically pitching on five days rest (as if he were a starter), and I expect he will again throw at least 60 pitches (maybe more). It certainly appears that the Cubs are taking advantage of the blister-induced DL trip to try stretch Richard back out into a potential starter.[adinserter block=”1″][adinserter block=”10″]
Here’s the fun part: in the 8.2 innings that the Cubs have perhaps been stretching him out, he allowed just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven. Sure, these are minor league players he is getting out, but those numbers are consistent with the work he did as a minor league starter in 2015. In 2015 he also made it to Chicago and compiled an ERA/FIP/xFIP of 3.83/3.58/3.43 over 42.1 innings.
Are the Cubs stretching out Richard for future use as a starter? Are they doing it to allow him more innings to adjust back to what worked for him last year? We may get more clues tonight in Tennessee.
If you aren’t watching The All-Cubs All-Star Infield, that is.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa is off for the All Star break.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee 7, Chattanooga 6
The next to last out was at home when Happ relayed a throw from McKinney to nail the tying run at plate.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach 5, Wilmington 1
The Pelicans’ pitching threw eight shutout innings to secure this one.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
Bowling Green 10, South Bend 3
Kellogg turned in a pretty good start, but the bullpen had some struggles.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Hillsboro 7, Eugene 4
The final score may not be the worst news from this game.
Rookie: Arizona Cubs
Mesa had the day off.[adinserter block=”3″]
Other Notes
Cease has been pulled from the game after being looked at by the trainer. No update as to what cause at this time.
— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) July 12, 2016
Final Line for Cease:
82 pitches
7 hits
2 walks
2 runs
7 Ks
Consistent 97-98 fastball, mid-90s curve and 74-76 off-speed.
Injury TBD— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) July 12, 2016