Hendricks and Anderson Injuries, Montgomery Strike Zone Tendencies, and Other Bullets

Jun 09, 2017

The Cubs really need a win today, lest I start thinking irrational things like “oh man, they can only win and lose in long streaks! now they’re gonna lose three more in a row!”

The Cubs say that the move of Brett Anderson from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL was procedural as opposed to a setback, as he was already over 30 days on the DL (Sharma). In other words, there wasn’t an expectation that he would be back before another month anyway. This was always a strong possibility with Anderson – hence him having to settle for a cheap, one-year, incentive-laden deal – but it’s still a bummer that it hasn’t worked out so far. When he was healthy, throughout his career, Anderson had always been effective. Cubs could have used that.

As it stands, Mike Montgomery will get a shot to show what he can do as a starter today, though I don’t anticipate he’ll be able to go more than 70 or so pitches. Since he tends not to be super economical by nature, that might net the Cubs only about four innings or so. If they’re good innings, though, you’ll take it. Montgomery has been extremely effective this year in contact management (teams have found it virtually impossible to hit him hard), but his strikeout (17.6%) and walk (13.5%) rates are flat-out terrible.

I also had an instinct about Montgomery that he was probably one of the pitchers least in the strike zone this year, and sure enough: at just 38.9%, Montgomery is in the strike zone less often than all pitchers with at least 30 IP this year except for five other pitchers. That’s a shift for him from last year, when he was in the zone 3.5 percentage points more often. Unfortunately for him so far this year, guys are actually swinging much less often at his pitches out of the zone. It’s kind of an untenable balance that I hope will not be exposed today. Perhaps he’ll pitch a little differently as a starter. The guy has really good stuff.

Montgomery is, of course, taking the spot of Kyle Hendricks, who went on the DL yesterday with tendinitis (aka inflammation of a tendon) in his right middle finger. Tentatively, this sounds like a situation where the Cubs are being overly cautious and simultaneously using it as an opportunity to get Montgomery a start. In other words, hopefully, this is but the first example of the Cubs finally taking advantage of the new, shorter DL, and Hendricks will miss only one start (Cubs.com).

Not-so-fun-fact: per ESPN’s Home Run tracker, D.J. LeMahieu’s decisive homer into the basket last night was the shortest (368 feet) and softest hit (97.3 mph) homer in baseball yesterday.

Circling back to the Montgomery strike zone stuff: while searching out that information at FanGraphs, I couldn’t help but notice the extreme opposite being true for so many Rockies pitchers, including today’s starter, German Marquez. They are among the most in the strike zone pitchers in all of baseball. Gonna have to swing today.

Awesome moment yesterday:

When dad surprises you at work. #ThatsCub pic.twitter.com/A4chkOflcE

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 9, 2017

“Just like old times but switched around,” @BenZobrist18 said to his dad. #ThatsCub pic.twitter.com/xZpB4B7BkL

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 9, 2017

A blast from the past for a former third overall pick by the Cubs:

Former #Cubs 1st round pick Josh Vitters trying to revitalize baseball career in Indy Ball with Sioux City. https://t.co/Bj4ilSvVBv #MiLB pic.twitter.com/N6NwoQqMLW
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) June 8, 2017

Kris Bryant gettin’ wild:

Kris Bryant says he's gotten into drinking coffee — just this year. #Cubs

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) June 8, 2017

Legit recommendation for Bryant or anyone else who likes coffee: cold brew. It’s easy, can still be drunk hot if that’s what you prefer (but is ideal for iced coffees, which I prefer), and tastes about 300% better than traditional coffee because it lacks almost all of the bitterness. The brewer I use is on sale at Amazon today, too, for just $18.99. It’s so cheap and good!

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

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

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

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

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

Chicago Cubs

Oh, No! Seiya Suzuki to the IL with an Oblique Injury

I hate Mondays. I hate the NL West. And I hate obliques. After losing their No. 3 starter before the season (Jameson Taillon), their ace on Opening Day (Justin Steele), and one of their best relievers a week ago (Julian...

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The West Coast is Almost Behind Us (But Not Yet!) – Cubs vs Diamondbacks Series Preview

Cubs vs Diamondbacks — This West Coast nonsense is nearly at an end. Following this three-game road series against the Diamondbacks, the Cubs will head back home for four-straight games against the Marlins at Wrigley Field, followed by a schedule...

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Andrew McCutchen is an Extremely Elite Person

As NL Central dwellers, we've long known two things about Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen: (1) he's pretty darn good at baseball, and (2) he's an even better person. The latest example of both comes by way of his 300th...

Brett Taylor

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

More Fun with Michael Busch’s Historic Home Run Streak

It's still way too early to make definitive statements on the surprise offseason trade that netted the Cubs Michael Busch and Yency Almonte from the Dodgers in exchange for pitching prospect Jackson Ferris and outfield prospect Zyhir Hope. I look...

Brett Taylor

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Hector Neris Has Had a Brutal Start to the Year – But What Can the Cubs Do?

Even if there weren't concerns about his velocity-drop coming into the season, anybody would've projected regression for Hector Neris in 2024. The Cubs primary set-up man (and big offseason free agent relief signing) had a 1.71 ERA for the Astros...

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Former Cubs Pitcher Ken Holtzman Has Passed Away

Although he pitched before my time, I always think of two things when I hear the name Ken Holtzman: very good lefty, two no-hitters. Indeed, Holtzman was one of the most successful starting pitchers in Cubs history, and recorded two...

Brett Taylor

Apr 15, 2024

How to Watch

Royals vs. White Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Tuesday at 7:40 PM ET, Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals (11-6) take on Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (2-14) at Guaranteed Rate Field.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know...

Sam Russell

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

How to Watch

Mets vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (8-8) host Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-6) on Tuesday, with first pitch at 7:10 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the New York-Pittsburgh matchup in the article below.When...

Sam Russell

Apr 15, 2024

How to Watch

Mariners vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Mitch Haniger and the Seattle Mariners (6-10) host Spencer Steer and the Cincinnati Reds (9-6) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Seattle-Cincinnati matchup below.When is Mariners vs. Reds and when does it...

Sam Russell

Apr 15, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Cubs: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks (8-8), led by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., host Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs (9-6) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the Arizona-Chicago matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs....

Sam Russell

Apr 15, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Cardinals vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

On Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (7-9) take on Shea Langeliers and the Oakland Athletics (7-9) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.See how to watch the St. Louis-Oakland matchup below.When is Cardinals vs. Athletics and...

Sam Russell

Apr 15, 2024

NHL Picks

Bruins vs. Senators Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The bookmakers really like the Boston Bruins to beat the Ottawa Senators in their matchup on Tuesday, April 16, with the Bruins given moneyline odds of -225 on home ice, and the Senators at +185.Bruins vs. Senators Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite:...

Brian Twining

Apr 15, 2024

NHL Picks

Flyers vs. Capitals Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Washington Capitals on April 16 at 7:00 PM ET, and are -135 favorites, with the away team at +114.Flyers vs. Capitals Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Flyers (-135)Underdog: Capitals (+114)Total: 5.5Best Flyers vs. Capitals Promo Codes[lasso type="table"...

Brian Twining

Apr 15, 2024

NHL Picks

Red Wings vs. Canadiens Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The oddsmakers like the Detroit Red Wings to beat the Montreal Canadiens in their meeting on Tuesday, April 16, with the visiting Red Wings given moneyline odds of -162, and the Canadiens at +136.Red Wings vs. Canadiens Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite:...

Brian Twining

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Hendricks and Anderson Injuries, Montgomery Strike Zone Tendencies, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular