MLBits: Brewers Lose on a Balk, Bonds’ 10-Year Anniversary, Fowler Returns, Dodgers’ Pace, More

Aug 08, 2017

Because of all the rumor-filled Lukewarm Stoves in July, we got just one MLBits in the whole month! That’s borderline criminal!

So here we are, making up for the lack of MLBits, with some MLBits. Enjoy!

Since you’ve already read the bullets today, you know that the Cubs won their game against the Giants last night and, paired with the Brewers loss, created an extra game of space between first and second place in the NL Central. HOWEVA, did you see how the Brewers gave up the lead?

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and the game tied 4-4, Twins’ left fielder Eddie Rosario (who just tied the game with a double, himself) took a gratuitous lead off third (made possible by the Brewer enormous defensive shift). The Brewers pitcher, Oliver Drake, must’ve been thrown by the extent of his lead and, well, balks in the (eventual) game-winning run:

That is one rough way to give up the go-ahead run. Woof.

After going 9-14 in the second half of the season so far, the Brewers’ GM David Stearns is happy he avoided the “impulse purchase” at the deadline. “Sometimes, being disciplined isn’t fun,” Stearns admitted. “But it’s my job, primarily, to make sure we make decisions that are in the best interests of this organization as a whole, and that’s what we’re trying to do.” Frankly, and honestly, I think these comments are accurate and he was right not to send Lewis Brinson to the A’s for Sonny Gray.

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of Barry Bonds hitting his 756th home run and, thus, many articles have been written to reopen that discussion. The first, however, is different than you think. Grant Brisbee decided to write about the 756 home runs without any of the controversy. Instead, he just sits in awe and tries to contextualize just how freakin’ insane it is to hit 756 home runs.

At Yahoo Sports, Jeff Passan wonders if Bonds will eventually make it into the Hall of Fame (before citing some active players who could have a chance). And, then, of course, Bonds chimes in himself, because he thinks he could’ve kept going:

Barry Bonds thinks he could have hit 800 home runs if he kept playing after 2007 https://t.co/e2c9zVCKvg

— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) August 8, 2017

Switching gears, Cardinals outfielder and wanna-be Chicago Cub Dexter Fowler has been out of action with a left forearm strain since July 25. But just before last night’s game he was activated from the DL and tripled in his first at-bat. Ultimately, he went 1-3 with a walk, and is now hitting .242/.335/.457 (106 wRC+) for the season – that’s the lowest OBP of his career.

To make room for Fowler, the Cardinals sent Stephen Piscotty to Triple-A Memphis.

I know every is aware of this, but I still don’t think it gets enough attention given how insane it really is: The Los Angeles Dodgers have 79 wins on AUGUST 8. Their 79-32 (.712) record, puts them on pace for just around 115 wins, which, at this point in the season, means they have a real shot to touch the record. For reference, the 103-win Chicago Cubs had ten FEWER wins at this point last season.

And how about the poor Rockies? They are a fantastic 16 games over .500 in early August, but are a ridiculous 15.5 games back of the Dodgers. The Reds are actually two games closer to taking over first place in the Central than the Rockies are of overpassing the Dodgers. That’s unbelievable.

Former infielder Ike Davis has signed a Minor League deal with the Dodgers … as a pitcher. And in his first appearance since being converted to a full-time pitcher on Sunday, he struck out the side against the Arizona League Padres.

Twitter is bringing you live MLB action tonight:

We’re bringing you #MLBLive tomorrow night when @Yankees play @BlueJays. Seriously – live baseball, on @Twitter. https://t.co/Zf1Ll53n0p

— MLB (@MLB) August 7, 2017

Last night was Mike Trout’s birthday, and during the game, he recorded his 1,000 overall hit. Also yesterday, Bryce Harper hit his 150th home run … at the exact same age (down to the day!) as Trout. By my calculations, Harper has 1 year and 70 days to get 221 more hits (which is actually just about spot on) and reach 1,000 at the same age Trout did.

And finally, doing his best impression of Austin Jackson, this Orioles Minor Leaguer flipped into the stands to make an amazing catch on this foul ball:

Orioles Minor Leaguer Leaps and Flips into the Stands to Make an Amazing Catch https://t.co/ts3oK6dP7v pic.twitter.com/9QtZjM6WSO
— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) August 8, 2017

written by

Michael Cerami

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

A Very Good Week for Cubs Prospect Brennen Davis

After two years lost to injuries mixed in with underperformance at Triple-A, I think it's nice to be able to celebrate a great stretch of baseball from Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. Thanks to a particularly hot week, Davis...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Have Some Elite Bat Speed, PCA Elite in Center Field, Elite Injury Rates, and Other Cubs Bullets

We had a very nice Mother's Day with the kids, who were very kind to her and each other, and sometimes that's all you're looking for. They got a good mom. Starting in 2024, Statcast has begun tracking bat speed,...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Let’s See How They Measured Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Announce (Part of) the Rotation for Atlanta

Meaning no offense to Kyle Hendricks, but if you had to choose a veteran right-handed in the Cubs' rotation to face the Atlanta Braves this week, you're probably going with Jameson Taillon. We may never know if that was part...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Make Their Mothers Proud

There is something about seeing Cubs players homer with pink bats that makes me smile extra wide. I suppose it's PROBABLY at least a little because this is one of my favorite Cubs memories: https://twitter.com/ChiSportsDay/status/1788291377333170611 Javy Báez, with the pink...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Pirates 4 – May 12, 2024

It's Mother's Day. I'm hanging with the family. I don't feel like being as pissed off as a game like that threatened to make me. So I am QUITE relieved by that 10th inning (and the fact that the Cubs...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (12:35 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Marc Eversley Named on Short List of Candidates for Pistons’ Opening

As the Detroit Pistons continue their front-office search, one familiar name has come up again. Chicago Bulls general manager Marc Eversley was mentioned on a short list of candidates for the team's head of basketball operations opening. The Athletic's Shams...

Elias Schuster

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

A Very Good Week for Cubs Prospect Brennen Davis

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Picks

Nationals vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

The Washington Nationals (19-20), led by the red-hot Eddie Rosario and his two-game homer streak, are -135 favorites to pick up a win over the Chicago White Sox (12-29) Monday at 7:40 PM ET, live from Guaranteed Rate Field and...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Rangers vs. Guardians Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

The Texas Rangers (22-20) and Cleveland Guardians (25-16) meet Monday at Globe Life Field, with first pitch at 8:05 PM ET on BSSW. The Rangers are -117 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Guardians are favored against the spread...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates (18-23) will look to Connor Joe, with homers in two straight games, to pull off an upset win over the Milwaukee Brewers (24-16) Monday at American Family Field. The Brewers are -145 moneyline favorites for the game,...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Monday, May 13, 2024

Two of the league's top power hitters meet Monday when the Houston Astros (15-25) and Oakland Athletics (19-23) take the field at 8:10 PM ET, live on SCHN. Kyle Tucker has 13 home runs for the Astros (-183 favorites on...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Jayson Tatum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

The Boston Celtics meet the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday at 7:00 PM ET in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Celtics' Jayson Tatum connects on three 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Jayson Tatum's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Derrick White Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

The Boston Celtics meet the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:00 PM ET on Monday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires three triples from Derrick White.Derrick...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Donovan Mitchell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

The Cleveland Cavaliers play the Boston Celtics on Monday at 7:00 PM ET in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell makes four 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Donovan Mitchell's Three-Pointer Prop...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Jaylen Brown Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

Jaylen Brown needs to make two 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Boston Celtics meet the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday at 7:00 PM ET, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.Jaylen Brown's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

MLBits: Brewers Lose on a Balk, Bonds’ 10-Year Anniversary, Fowler Returns, Dodgers’ Pace, More

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular