The Season May Be Over, But the Future Remains Bright and Other Bullets

Brett is on his way back to Ohio now, so I’ll be tackling your bullets this morning …

Well, the Chicago Cubs dropped their fourth game of the NLCS last night, which means the Los Angeles Dodgers have advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1988. Even though the Cubs obviously had a much longer drought than that, 30 years between NL Pennants does feel pretty long, especially for a team with the market and resources of L.A. – says the guy from Chicago. 

In any case, I was at the game last night, and it wasn’t a particularly fun one, given how early and often the Dodgers scored, and how, once again, the Cubs’ bats couldn’t do much of anything. But I was still happy to be there (and I mean that both literally and figuratively).

Fans don’t usually get this many chances to see their team in the NLCS in such a short timeframe, so don’t take it for granted.

  • But I will understand if you’re a little disappointed. Although the Cubs did nearly everything we could’ve hoped for back in April, it didn’t really play out the way we imagined, right? There was a seemingly never-ending divisional battle, then a painstakingly stressful NLDS, followed by an NLCS which felt like it was over before it started. The outcomes were all OK(ish), but the journey just didn’t feel right. Brett had some additional thoughts on the matter here.
  • But here’s the thing: The Cubs are likely to be favorites in the NL Central AGAIN next year. Their core is still young and growing, guys like Ian Happ and Albert Almora are only just getting started, and the rotation is anchored by the likes of Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana, and Jon Lester. It could be worse.
  • (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

  • I don’t see how I can get through these bullets without pointing out that Enrique Hernandez hit three homers last night after hitting just 11 HRs in 140 games this season. With that said, 10 of his 11 regular season homers in 2017 came against lefties, against whom he has a .579 SLG and .309 ISO. It’s no surprise, then, that two of his homers last night were against lefties Jose Quintana and Mike Montgomery.
  • On the other side of the league … the Astros and Yankees will play Game 6 tonight in Houston, with the Yankees up 3-2. It’s been an epic comeback (and season) for New York and, frankly, it’s hard not to root for them.
  • Phil Mushnick has a take so bad in the New York Post on Why baseball doesn’t need more Yasiel Puigs that, at first, I wasn’t sure if it was satire or not. Here’s the opening line, “If you were raised to love baseball and to recognize the smart, winning kind from everything less, the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig is insufferable.” Yep, can’t love baseball and have fun at the same time. Impossible. Moving on.
  • Cubs pitchers walked only two batters last night, but that was a stark change from the rest of October. Over ten postseason games, the Cubs walked a ridiculous 53 guys, which, yeah, that’s WAY too many. Theo Epstein is taking responsibility (via 670 The Score): “It’s sort of systemic across the board. So we have to find a way to address that going forward, and we will.” Epstein went on to imply that the front office will target reliable strike throwers for the bullpen this offseason.
  • Joe Maddon discusses John Lackey’s uncertain future.
  • Kris Bryant finally hit a home run last night … with the Cubs down 9-1:
  • Sigh … Goodnight, Wrigley Field:
  • The Deals of the Day at Amazon include a bluetooth soundbar, some camping equipment, and those Echo Dots.
  • written by

    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

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

    There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

    Latest News

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Giants: Live Stream or on TV

    On Friday, the San Diego Padres (2-1) take on Jorge Soler and the San Francisco Giants (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep reading to find out how to watch the San Diego-San Francisco matchup...

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

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) host Paul Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Los Angeles-St. Louis matchup below.When is Dodgers vs. Cardinals and...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The New York Yankees (1-0), led by Juan Soto, visit Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (0-1) at 8:10 PM ET on Friday.Find out how to watch the Houston-New York matchup below.When is Astros vs. Yankees and when does it...

    How to Watch Rays vs. Blue Jays: Live Stream or on TV

    The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) visit Yandy Diaz and the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 6:50 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Tampa Bay-Toronto matchup below.When is Rays vs. Blue Jays and...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    more cubs news