Today is July 2, and that means it is the start of the annual International Free Agent Signing period. We can expect some good news for the Cubs in the coming days as a result. More on that in a bit.
First, since it is also Sunday, we should take a look at the standings.
Iowa remains in last place, but they are moving in the right direction. Their 37-44 record on on the right side of ten games under now, and they have been one of the hotter teams in Triple A of late. Unfortunately, they are twelve and a half games back of the best record in all of Triple A, division leading Colorado Springs. The Cubs will need an amazing winning streak to put any serious dent in that deficit.
The Smokies (5-3) find themselves right where they ended the first half, just behind Chattanooga. They have won five straight, but they still trail the division leaders by two games. That’s ok, though. If Chattanooga stays on top, second place will get Tennessee into the playoffs.
Since they already won the first half division title, getting into the playoffs is not something Myrtle Beach is worried about. And that’s good, because the Pelicans (3-6) are in dead last, two and a half behind Buies Creek. I have feeling that the Pelicans won’t be in last… or under .500 in the second half for that matter… very long.
South Bend faded down the stretch in the first half, and then they kept right on fading at the start of the second half. At 2-8, the Cubs have the worst record in the entire Midwest League. They are already six games out of first, and five back of a playoff slot. They have the time and the talent to close the gap, but they will need to find a way to break their three week funk.
Even though the season just started for Eugene (11-6), we are already within weeks of the end of the first half. The defending Northwest League champs are in first place in the division by two games, and are fighting Vancouver and Tri-City for the best record in the league.
The 3-4 AZL Cubs are in third place in their division, two games back of the Angels. The division is mostly tight, though, with the Cubs joining a group of four teams that are all within two games of each other. Typically the Arizona League stays fairly close, so I imagine we’ll see a lot of bouncing up and down the standings before the season ends.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 13, Round Rock 4
This game was suspeneded during a series in Round Rock a few days ago and just completed last night.
Iowa 5, Round Rock 2
Schwarber doing what Schwarber does best.
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
The Smokies were rained out.
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach 4, Down East 1
After allowing a run in the first, Pelicans’ pitching put up eight straight zeroes.
Low A: South Bend Cubs
South Bend 5, Lansing 4
Despite three errors, that’s a badly needed win.
Short Season A: Eugene Emeralds
Eugene 5, Vancouver 2
Four different Emeralds stole a base in this one.
Rookie: AZL Cubs
Angels 6, Cubs 0
The Cubs had almost as many errors (three) as hits (four).
Other Notes
Exit velocity of this hit: 115 miles per hour. Insane. #Cubs https://t.co/GUcmVSddFh
— Scott Kornberg (@ScottKornberg) July 2, 2017