The Depths of Chatwood’s Struggles, Injury Bits, Hamels Fun, and Other Bullets

Latest. Bullets. Ever. You can blame yesterday’s craziness, and today’s flurry of stuff. Just not me. You can’t blame me.

Obviously everything in the Tyler Chatwood discussion world is colored now by the context of a new pitcher arriving. Had the Cubs not just traded for Cole Hamels, we’d be back here today wondering how much longer the Cubs can keep doing this with Tyler Chatwood, who cannot currently throw strikes at a rate even *close* to acceptable enough to keep him in the rotation of a contender. But, with Hamels arriving, that whole conversation instead becomes the one we had the morning – six-man rotation? someone goes the bullpen? etc. My guess remains six-man rotation in the short-term, at least, which means Chatwood would get at least another start. His descent this year has been deeply head-scratching, and the Cubs have him under contract for two more years. It’s absolutely not a “cut bait” situation yet, but it is time to figure out how to put the team in the best position to succeed for the next two months.

Then again, baseball gonna baseball:

In his last five starts, Tyler Chatwood has a 7.71 ERA, has allowed five homers, 27 hits and 22 walks in 25.2 IP.

The Cubs are 5-0 in those games.

— Desipio.com (@desipiodotcom) July 27, 2018

On the year, his first with the Cubs, Chatwood currently has a 4.98 ERA over 94.0 innings and 19 starts. Among starting pitchers with at least 90 innings this year, Chatwood’s 19.4% walk rate leads the league … by nearly SIX PERCENTAGE POINTS. When Rick Ankiel famously got the “yips” in 2001 and had to stop pitching, his walk rate was 20.2%.

No significant injury updates just yet, but Javy Baez was able to pinch hit again yesterday, and run, and then stay in the game on defense. Hopefully he’ll be good to go tonight.

As for Kris Bryant, he’s getting the MRI on his shoulder, and we’ll see what’s what from there. Maddon told NBC Sports Chicago: “I think once he goes through this next test, that’s gonna help a lot. To find out if there’s anything we missed the first time. And hopefully not and then I think the docs will derive a gameplan from there.” In other words, there’s no plan until there is more information. Personally, I’m expecting another lengthy absence.

Hopefully David Bote can keep raking and playing great defense in the meantime.

A bummer on the planned Wrigley Field bowl game:

Sources tell Trib: Wrigley Field bowl game is OFF for now:https://t.co/coEsjrSDii

— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) July 26, 2018

I presume negotiations will pick back up at some point, though.

Farewell to Eddie Butler:

Thank you to the @Cubs organization for the opportunity to be a part of the historic franchise. Thanks to the fans that supported me every time I stepped on the mound. Y'all truly made it feel like #EverybodyIn

— Eddie Butler (@Butler4Life) July 27, 2018

The MLB Shop has a 20% off sale going on today.

And now just a bunch of stray hits about Cole Hamels that I thought were interesting or funny or whatever.

And of course, Hamels was the 2008 WS MVP, when the Phillies beat Joe Maddon's Rays. It's come full circle.

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 27, 2018

Maddon was asked about Hamels after the game: "I've not liked him for a long time. He's pitched some really big games against teams that I've been involved with and has done really well. He's a great competitor. Got good stuff. He competes and knows what he's doing out there."

— Kelly Crull (@Kelly_Crull) July 27, 2018

Cubs pitching staff has a seriously Texas flavor …

Cole Hamels: from Rangers
Kyle Hendricks: from Rangers
Carl Edwards: from Rangers
Jesse Chavez: from Rangers
Yu Darvish: former Ranger
Jon Lester: wears cowboy hats

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 27, 2018

https://twitter.com/BleacherNation/status/1022692513109499904

Cole Hamels saying goodbye to his teammates before joining the #Cubs pic.twitter.com/exWWyf6ft4

— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) July 27, 2018

Jesse Chavez, on Cole Hamels struggles/being a vet: "It does not affect him so he can move on to the next one. That's the beauty of having a guy like that. Look what he's done on the road. I'd take him."

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 26, 2018

Talked to Jesse Chavez a few days ago about Hamels to the Cubs. On his recent struggles: "Those are just hiccups for a guy of his caliber. I wouldn't worry about him."

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 27, 2018

Side note! Hamels donated his 10 million dollar mansion to a charity for special needs kids. Even if hes not the same Hamels as before I'm still a huge fan! What a great human being. https://t.co/BEOHfFTaMP

— Josh (@cubs4wsn2012) July 27, 2018

With Cole Hamels reportedly joining the #Cubs, we throw it back to the last no-hitter thrown at Wrigley Field. #TBT pic.twitter.com/uMUASO4iZ4

— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) July 27, 2018

Now that he's coming to Chicago, Cole Hamels has to bring back the monster stache, right? #Cubs #EverybodyIn

A post shared by Bleacher Nation (@bleachernation) on Jul 27, 2018 at 6:08am PDT