Winning Records, Checked Swings, Arrieta’s Outing, and Other Bullets

Apr 29, 2017

Stormy Saturdays are no good with three kids who need to get outside … says dad as he tries to bang away at his computer, safely inside.

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If you’re in a “I need silver linings” mood today after the last two losses, maybe this will help: at 12-10, the Cubs still have a winning record this April, despite playing only two teams – the Reds and Pirates (who are good) – with losing records so far.

… then again, the only team they’ve played in a full series with a winning record so far is the Cardinals, who are now 12-11. The Cubs’ overall opponent winning percentage so far is just .496. So, basically, the Cubs have played a pretty neutral schedule so far, and I have no actual silver linings for you. Happy Saturday!

It was a shrug-your-shoulders kind of outing for Jake Arrieta last night, who put it this way (Cubs.com): “We got beat today based on their output in the first inning, and that was on me. I had some really good stuff. The home run I gave up, got the ball elevated and made a few pitches in spots that I shouldn’t have. They strung some hits together and came out ready to play in the first.” My view was the same as his: I saw good stuff and good command after the first, but the location in the first was up-up-up. Not every hit was wrecked, but he also wasn’t missing bats – so you’ll give up some hits that way, even if some are “unlucky.” By the end of it, he got 13 whiffs, which is an indicator that he did have decent stuff working.

Earlier, I looked at the starting pitcher performances thus far for the Cubs, and pondered just how much is signal and how much is noise. They certainly played a part in the Cubs’ last two one-run losses, but this was obviously a significant factor as well:

In Cubs back-to-back one-run losses they've stranded 23 batters and gone 3-for-23 with RISP.

— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) April 29, 2017

You won’t win too many games like that, and it’s actually pretty shocking the Cubs were within one run both times despite huge early deficits, and no production whatsoever with guys on base.

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Speaking of those starters, they know – and the Cubs’ coaches know – they have to do a better job of making adjustments more quickly in games when things are going sideways early (ESPN).

This was actually the one that was closer to being a swing:

Not a freaking swing. Also: ASK THE FIRST BASE UMP FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. pic.twitter.com/FSAR1Yq2PE

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) April 29, 2017

Twice last night, Kris Bryant was called out by the home plate umpire on a check swing, something that drives me uncontrollably insane – just ask the first base umpire! aren’t you watching the pitch location!?!? That one there could arguably have been a swing, even though Bryant “didn’t break his wrists” – that’s more of a guide post than a rule. Instead, the rule is basically, “Did the batter make an attempt to hit the pitch?” It’s rough and flabby, and all the more reason to let another umpire with a better angle help you out.

Today’s Cubs lineup is out, as they’ll face knuckleballer Steven Wright.

If he could just stay healthy …

Noah Syndergaard in 2017: 30 strikeouts, ZERO walks. Wow. pic.twitter.com/lssEGl2q4j

— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) April 29, 2017

Syndergaard had his last start bumped back due to a tired arm situation (he refused an MRI), and is scheduled to start tomorrow.

Aaron Judge is quickly becoming a must-watch player. The gigantic Yankee hit another ridiculous homer last night (one of two in a game), which set a new Statcast era record for exit velocity.

Meanwhile, at The Ten-Yard Line, the NFL Draft continues, as the Bears took an Aaron Judge-sized tight end in the second round, after trading down to recoup some of the picks they lost in the Mitch Trubisky trade up.

Hey, heads up: Weber grill for $20 off. Boom. You’re welcome.

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.

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Winning Records, Checked Swings, Arrieta’s Outing, and Other Bullets

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