Pinch-Hit Decisions, Edwards’ Dominance, Cubs-Cardinals Frenemies, and Other Bullets

Apr 18, 2018

The Littlest Girl had occupational therapy this morning, then I am currently at a doctor’s appointment for my foot, and then I have physical therapy for my foot later this afternoon. I am just bouncing from one office to another today. Hooray for the portability of the internet, eh?

After yet another short starter outing last night, the Cubs could really stand to start seeing some starting pitchers go deep. If today’s game gets off, hopefully that’ll be Jon Lester, who hasn’t yet looked at his best.

I’ve been playing through the scenario last night that precipitated this tweet in the 8th inning last night as the Cubs tried to come back:

Lyons was converted to the bullpen full-time last year, and, in addition to pitching well overall, he held lefties to a mere .176/.286/.288 line. Jason Heyward due up as the tying run.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 18, 2018

Absent context, and in the moment, I was annoyed that Heyward – a struggling hitter overall, whose struggles are especially pernicious against lefties – was going to face a lefty in Tyler Lyons who is very tough on lefties. It was a recipe for an uncompetitive at bat, and Heyward popped up after going down in the count quickly. After that, Albert Almora was announced as a pinch hitter, Lyons was removed for Bud Norris, and then Almora was removed in favor of Tommy La Stella, who himself had an uncharacteristically poor pinch-hit plate appearance.

How else could or should that have gone? Instinct at the time said Almora should have been hitting for Heyward, which would have gotten you at least one optimized match-up (though you lose Heyward for the rest of the game, but there isn’t much of the game left if you don’t score there). Then you have La Stella available to hit for the pitcher, perhaps against Lyons, but I’d rather he was facing Lyons than Heyward. That’s especially true when you consider that, since becoming a full-time reliever, Norris has actually been MUCH tougher on lefties than on righties. The Cubs gamed themselves into two terrible match-ups at a key moment in the game.

(This assumes, by the way, that Ben Zobrist was totally unavailable, because if he were available off of the bench, then the decision not to pinch-hit for Heyward would be nearly inexcusable.)

Unless I’m missing something obvious, the choice there was a couple better match-ups (runner on first, nobody out, down two) or keeping Heyward’s glove in the game, and hoping that an even more important/better match-up would materialize later on. Joe Maddon opted for the latter. Felt like a mistake in the moment, and it looks like a mistake in hindsight.

Nope, you’re not going to make me smile along with you, old friends:

Fun list:

Highest swing & miss % (min 50 swings)
Edwin Diaz 50.7%
Tommy Kahnle 47.6%
Carl Edwards Jr 47.5%
Shohei Ohtani 47.3%
Pedro Araujo 46.8%
Adam Ottavino 46.3%

Complete list:https://t.co/QbyBqIgn6L

— Daren Willman (@darenw) April 17, 2018

That was before last night’s game, when Edwards struck out the side, though he did so with only four whiffs in 18 pitches. I guess he’ll have to be satisfied by seeing his strikeout rate rise to 46.9% (LOL) and his walk rate drop to 9.4% (OMG YES).

Jed Hoyer reminds folks that it’s really difficult to make weather determinations at Wrigley Field for the purposes of postponing games, especially because you try to do it early enough to be good to the fans, but not SO early that you get it wrong (Athletic). I know some folks – and teams – like to complain about weather-related decisions the Cubs make, but spend a week in Chicago by the lake and try to track the weather forecasts 8 to 12 hours out. You’ll see, it’s about as imprecise as it gets.

Good to see this:

#Cubs expect top pitching prospect Adbert Alzolay – who had stayed behind in extended spring training because of an ankle issue – will start Thursday for Triple-A Iowa.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) April 18, 2018

Pedro Strop struggled again last night against the Cardinals (who’ve posted a 137 OPS+ against him in his career, the worst of any of the opponents he sees regularly in the National League), which is just one of those weird things (it’s 143 plate appearances at this point, which is not quite a substantial sample, but it’s also not tiny). I tend to think that has contributed to the perception that he hasn’t been as awesome as he has been in his career with the Cubs, since those games against the Cardinals tend to be highly-visible, and his appearances tend to be high leverage. In other words, he screws up a disproportionate amount of the time when fans are paying disproportionate attention.

If you missed it this morning, Luke’s Minor League Daily includes the I-Cubs’ efforts to help repair the Field of Dreams.

Very cool shots:

60+ years difference. #EverybodyIn @Cubs pic.twitter.com/KBTM5Dejya

— Southport Corridor (@SouthportCor) April 16, 2018

YO! We just released a bunch of new shirts at the BN shop, and they are 20% off TODAY ONLY (code 20APRIL18). You can play around with the colors all you like if the defaults don’t suit your fancy:

BOOM! We just released a bunch of purdy NEW BN shirts, and they're 20% off today and tomorrow only: https://t.co/75gjfRnuYg pic.twitter.com/Ea5kxs1xrr
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 17, 2018

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

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Pete Crow-Armstrong Gets a Start

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs won again last night, which means they've already won the season-series against the still-struggling Astros. Justin Verlander will be on the bump for today's finale, but he'll have to go up against the mighty Javier...

Michael Cerami

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Leadoff Role, Cubs Front Office is Not Particularly Well-Liked? And Other Cubs Bullets

It's a pretty big day for the Chicago Bears, eh? For the second year in a row, they own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Only this time, they actually plan to use it (and on a quarterback,...

Michael Cerami

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Sign Brazilian-Japanese Pitcher Daniel Missaki Out of Mexican League

That's a geographic mouthful right there, and it underscores what an interesting signing this is. Stray signings throughout the year are not uncommon, particularly as injuries accumulate down on the farm and the Chicago Cubs have the ability to take...

Brett Taylor

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Do the Cubs Have a Scoring-Late Problem?

Once a month since August of 2016, my friends and I get together for "Supper Club." It's like book club, but instead of reading books, we go to a different restaurant in the city. Last night, we hit our 77th...

Michael Cerami

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Betting

2024 MLB Mock Draft: Wake Forest Dominates First Round

With the invigorating spirit of a new baseball season upon us, igniting hope and anticipation within fan communities, it's the perfect time to embark on a unique exploration: a 2024 MLB Mock Draft. Numerous mock drafts meticulously analyze potential player...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

How to Watch

76ers vs. Knicks: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are playing in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 3 up next.The Knicks beat the 76ers 104-101 on Monday when they last met. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in the...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Donovan Mitchell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

At 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic, with Donovan Mitchell needing four trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Donovan Mitchell's Three-Pointer Prop...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Caris LeVert Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

On Thursday at 7:00 PM ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Caris LeVert's 3-pointer over/under for this matchup requires just one trey.Caris LeVert's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Josh Hart Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Josh Hart needs to make two from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks meet the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, tipping off at 7:30 PM...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Jalen Brunson Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

The New York Knicks face the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Knicks' Jalen Brunson drains three 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Jalen Brunson's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Donte DiVincenzo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Donte DiVincenzo needs to make four from downtown on Thursday, when his New York Knicks play the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, beginning at 7:30 PM ET.Donte...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Joel Embiid Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Knicks – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Joel Embiid needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Philadelphia 76ers meet the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, starting at 7:30...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Tyrese Maxey Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Knicks – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers play the New York Knicks at 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires four trifectas from Tyrese...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Franz Wagner Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

Franz Wagner needs to make two 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Orlando Magic meet the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday at 7:00 PM ET, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Franz Wagner's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Pinch-Hit Decisions, Edwards’ Dominance, Cubs-Cardinals Frenemies, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular