MLBits: Slow Starts for All-Stars, Pirates Get Reinforcements, DBacks Lose Ray, Fun Police, Dodgers, More

Apr 30, 2018

I’m headed to Austin, Texas this weekend for my bachelor party, but the forecast calls for thunderstorms both Friday and Saturday … I guess I don’t really have a point, but, you know, that stinks. Anyone have any good Austin suggestions?

Here’s some news from around the league …

At Yahoo Sports, Jeff Passan discusses the ugly and slow start to the season for, well, all of baseball: “Generally speaking, April doesn’t offer the cleanest brand of baseball. This, though? This start to the season where home teams, who typically win about 54 percent of games, are 200-207? This sliver of time in which 22.7 percent of plate appearances have ended in strikeouts? This is the sort of stuff that tends to get lost amid the everyday shiny objects.” Passan rolls through a list of seven teams on pace to lose 100+ games this year, and while not all of them will, they do exemplify the frustrating opening to 2018.

Speaking of that slow start, Dan Szymborski does his thing at ESPN, trying to identify which individual players’ ice cold starts should scare you the most. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Giancarlo Stanton makes the list – he’s currently an above average offensive performer (107 wRC+), but that’s obviously a far cry from last season when he was the MVP (156 wRC+). Szymborski doesn’t think it’s all over for Stanton – not by a long shot – but he does see some troubling peripherals behind the scenes. I’m just happy Anthony Rizzo didn’t sneak his way onto this list … not that I’m worried about him, but, well, you know it hasn’t been great.

ESPN asked Bradford Doolittle, Sam Miller, and David Schoenfield to weigh in on some of the biggest stories from the first month of the season, and the first topic is which of the three NL powerhouses should be the most worried (Dodgers, Nats, or Cubs)? All three chose the Nationals for various reasons, from underperformance, to health, to scary in-division rivals who weren’t supposed to be that good. The trio also discussed the Mets’ playoff odds, how many homers Giancarlo Stanton will hit, how good will Shohei Ohtani ultimately be and much more. Check it out.

To go back to the struggling Nats for a moment, Yahoo Sports goes through some of starter Stephen Strasburg’s post-game comments, suggesting that he thinks his teammates might not be giving it their all. I didn’t exactly read it the same way, but I can understand how the comments are being received. I’m also eternally grateful that the Cubs have had relatively few off-field distractions in recent years.

The Dodgers might not be struggling as much as the Nationals, but manager Dave Roberts did just pull Cody Bellinger, one of the best and youngest players in baseball, for not hustling *on a double* during Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Giants. “I feel like I’m always hustling, hustling on ground balls, and it kind of didn’t make sense to me,” said Bellinger. “But I get it as well. Just trying to prove a point, for me not hustling, being the young guy, got to hustle.” Roberts is generally considered to be a good manager, but this one makes me scratch my head more than just a bit. And for what it’s worth, Bellinger didn’t seem to be too please with the decision: “I don’t think anyone can tell me how to play. I’ve always played hard.” He later added that he was not trying to make an out on the bases by going to third when they were down four runs … all good points.

Speaking of other dumb things, Salvador Perez was unhappy with Tim Anderson’s home run celebration and it led to the benches clearing. We’ve seen this a thousand times, so I don’t have much to add outside of, “Hey, you, fun police, go home. No one likes you.”

Because there’s officially been enough data to measure, Baseball Prospectus has just gone live with their Deserved Runs Average, which is a cousin of ERA that credits pitchers for the runs they deserved to give up rather than the runs they were charged with. Among the most interesting new developments is the inclusion of an uncertainty factor, alongside each new DRA. Basically, BP has provided a plus or minus for each player’s DRA, which allows you to better estimate the range of expected results looking backward (to better predict what might happen next). We don’t use DRA a lot, but I like where it’s heading.

The Arizona Diamondbacks (19-8) have the second best record in baseball and tops in the National League, but they just lost their big left-hander, Robbie Ray, to an oblique injury on Sunday. “I felt great up until that one pitch,” Ray said. “It was probably in the middle of my delivery. I was letting go of the ball. Just felt my side grab. I wasn’t able to finish the pitch. Just left it up and away. Wasn’t able to get anything on it or extension. I felt amazing coming into today’s game, bullpen session and everything. It’s baseball.” Ray hasn’t had the best start to 2018, but he did have a sub-3.00 ERA and 3+ WAR last season, so he’s certainly a big part of this team. He hasn’t hit the DL as of this post, but he is getting an MRI today and is largely expected to go on the disabled list soon.

In other NL West injury news, Giants second baseman Joe Panik might need thumb surgery and could be out anywhere from six to eight weeks.

It’s not your imagination, the Cubs are pretty bad at scoring runners from third with less than two outs. More specifically, run scoring league average in those circumstances is around 50% (it was 51% last year and is currently at 49% this year). The 2018 Cubs, however, have batted 62 times with fewer than two outs and a runner on third and that runner has scores … 22 times (35.5%). Jeff Sullivan explores why certain teams are worse at it than others and provides some general context for the numbers.

Heads up: The Rockies are gaining one player but losing another, ahead of their series with the Cubs:

TODAY’S TRANSACTIONS:

• CarGo – Reinstated (hamstring strain)

• DJ LeMahieu – 10-Day DL (hamstring strain) pic.twitter.com/8Mia8iA60R

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 30, 2018

Speaking of gaining players, the Pirates are getting some reinforcements on both sides of the ball, and they could be significant. The first, Jung-Ho Kang:

A statement from Jung Ho Kang, via the Pirates pic.twitter.com/zfbutEO09T

— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) April 27, 2018

After getting caught for not one, not two, but three DUIs, Kang had lost his right to work (play baseball) in the United States. He had tried desperately to fight the government’s decision, but was turned down. He then went and played (terribly) in some international leagues to stay sharp. Now, he’s making his way back to MLB and will apparently re-join the Pirates. We’ll see how good he is, though, because through 24 games in the Dominican Professional Baseball League, Kang hit .143/.219/.202, and he was much older (with much more experience) than anyone else in the league.

The Pirates also got a boost in the form of Nick Kingham:

Nick Kingham will start for the Pirates on Sunday, per source, in his MLB debut. He was on the doorstep in 2015 before he was derailed by Tommy John surgery. He has a 1.59 ERA in four AAA starts this season.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) April 27, 2018

The Pirates pitching staff currently ranks around the middle of the pack, but Kingham, 26, made a marvelous debut: 7.0 IP, 1H, 0BB, 9Ks against the Cardinals. Yeah. That’s legit. Oh and it’s not even the best part:

.@Pirates P Nick Kingham retired the first 20 batters he faced today in his MLB debut.

Via @EliasSports, that's most by a player in his MLB debut in the Expansion Era (since 1961) pic.twitter.com/W5O54geaQV

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 29, 2018

Extreme Harrison Ford voice (Indiana Jones, Han Solo, you name it): That’s one hell of a start, kid. Don’t screw it up.

Pablo Sandoval pitched a perfect 9th inning on Saturday, as the Giants played out a 15-6 loss to the Dodgers. Altogether, he needed just 11 pitches to go 1-2-3 in the ninth, eight of which fell in for strikes. His teammates had some fun with it too: “He was hitting corners,” Brandon Crawford said. “You do that, it’s tough to hit, tough to drive a ball, even if it’s 87 or whatever it was that he hit. He got us some ground balls.” Jeff Samardzija also jumped in: “A couple of more miles an hour, he’s serviceable.”

I’m usually all for radical ideas, but Sam Miller’s “What if every MLB team made the playoffs?” structure is a bit too out there for me. I think there’d just be way too much noise for that to work. With that said, I am for expanding the playoffs once the league expands to 32 teams.

Randall Grichuk literally stumbled and fell in the outfield last night, but his outstretched glove managed to find the fly ball and he popped up and turned it into a double play. It’s crazy. He’s hiding a horseshoe somewhere.

If you’ve managed to avoid this little leaguer’s “slow-motion” trip around the bases today, good for you … now watch it because it’s the best thing you’ll see all day:

Little Leaguer Runs Home in “Slow-Motion” as Everyone Dies of Laughter https://t.co/lzONWgN9yo pic.twitter.com/bLGCsL7kx9

— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) April 30, 2018

And finally, just for fun:

Phillie Phanatic scares pupper: pic.twitter.com/gAYn1YY9Jr

— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) April 30, 2018

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

Get ‘Em While They’re Down: Cubs vs Astros – Series Preview

Cubs vs Astros — Splitting a four-gamer against the current, badly-struggling Miami Marlins is unquestionably a bad outcome, especially when one of those two losses was a win-in-hand that slipped away into the seats. But the typical, and maddeningly correct,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

REPORT: Cubs Are Calling Up Matt Mervis and Hayden Wesneski

I was literally in the middle of an article asking "What Are the Cubs Going to Do with Matt Mervis," when this news came across the wire. The Cubs first base picture is fully settled with the left-handed Michael Busch...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

South Side Horror Show (and Campfire Milkshakes), Alzolay and Evolving Relief Roles, and Other Cubs Bullets

It's going to be a really good year for Horror movies. Late Night with the Devil was good (just saw it the other night). And I've got my eyes on Long Legs, Cuckoo, The First Omen, Immaculate, MaXXXine, In a...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Two NL Central Pitchers Down: Miley and Montas

A couple injuries to note among other NL Central contenders, as each of the Brewers and Reds have taken a hit to their rotation. The presumption for now is short-term on each, but I suppose we'll see. First, you have...

Brett Taylor

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Brewers Pitcher Jakob Junis Taken Off Field in an Ambulance After Being Struck by BP Ball

A very scary scene in Pittsburgh, where Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis, currently on the IL with a shoulder impingement, took a batting practice ball off the neck and went down. Junis was apparently on the ground for a long...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner is Back to Being Nico Hoerner

On April 9, I took an early look at Nico Hoerner's apparently evolving approach at the plate, which featured a lot more patience and a lot more big hacks. Effectively, it seemed like he was trying for a little more...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Spencer Strider Speaks (His and Other Pitcher Arm Injuries), Shohei Ohtani’s Latest Milestone, More

There's been much debate about pitcher arm injuries lately, much of it sparked by Spencer Strider's season-ending Tommy John surgery, and Strider spoke to the media for the first time since the injury on Friday. Spencer Strider on pitcher arm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Sign Lefty Pitching Prospect Mitchell Tyranski

A new signing popped up on the Chicago Cubs' transaction log: lefty Mitchell Tyranski. Tyranski, 26, put up a 3.83 ERA over 42.1 innings at High-A last year in the Dodgers organization, striking out 47 and walking 21. Were you...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs Have TWO of the Early Front-Runners for NL Rookie of the Year

We already dove deep into Shota Imanaga's latest impressive start against the Marlins yesterday. And there's been no shortage of love for Michael Busch this season either. But I do want to take this time to illustrate just how good...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

My Expectations and Realistic Hope for the Cubs VERY Tough Upcoming Schedule

Even though Sunday ended in a loss for the Chicago Cubs, we did get some good news in the form of positive injury updates. Ian Happ (hamstring) was available off the bench and could be good to go tomorrow, when...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) are set to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13) Tuesday at 7:45 PM ET, airing on ARID. The Cardinals are listed as -133 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Diamondbacks have +112 odds for the...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Texas Rangers (12-11) enter Tuesday's matchup with the Seattle Mariners (11-11) following their 1-2 series defeat to the Braves. The Mariners, coming off of a series win against the Rockies, are listed as -112 favorites for Game 1. The...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Blue Jays vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays (13-10) visit the Kansas City Royals (13-10) at 7:40 PM ET Tuesday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best power hitters in MLB. For the favored Blue Jays (-123), Daulton Varsho has racked up...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Twins vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Chicago White Sox (3-19) hope to avoid their fifth straight defeat when they visit the Minnesota Twins (8-13) Tuesday at 7:40 PM ET on NBCS-CHI. The Twins are listed as -276 favorites, while the White Sox are +220 underdogs...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Houston Astros (7-16) are favorites (-114) on the moneyline when they take on the Chicago Cubs (13-9) Tuesday at 7:40 PM ET, live on MARQ.J.P. France will get the ball for Houston while Chicago will counter with Jordan Wicks.Astros...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Anthony Edwards Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Suns – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Anthony Edwards' Minnesota Timberwolves meet the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point over/under, he must make three from downtown.Anthony Edwards' Three-Pointer Prop...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Devin Booker Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Devin Booker's Phoenix Suns meet the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point over/under, he needs to make three from downtown.Devin Booker's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Karl-Anthony Towns Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Suns – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

On Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET, the Minnesota Timberwolves play the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Karl-Anthony Towns' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires two trifectas.Karl-Anthony Towns' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Kevin Durant Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Kevin Durant must make three 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Phoenix Suns play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Kevin Durant's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 23

The San Diego Padres (13-12) go on the road at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies (5-18) at 8:40 PM ET on Tuesday.The probable pitchers are Michael King (2-1) for the Padres and Ryan Feltner (1-2) for the Rockies.Padres vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

MLBits: Slow Starts for All-Stars, Pirates Get Reinforcements, DBacks Lose Ray, Fun Police, Dodgers, More

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular