The Post-Cubs Crash for Wade Davis, Players Weekend, David Bote’s Challenge, and Other Bullets

I get allergy shots, but I forgot to get my allergy shots for a very long time, so now I have to get more allergy shots so that I can get back to just getting some allergy shots. Oops.

  • The Cubs did have interest in re-signing Wade Davis this past offseason, but the pace at which that process played out, and the caution the Cubs displayed when the Rockies started getting aggressive, was all probably telling. I’m not going to say the Cubs knew there were cracks, but I will say that we had questions about his command all year, and then he was leaned on HEAVILY late in the year and in the postseason.
  • In any case, Davis wound up signing a three-year, $52 million deal with the Rockies, and it’s been a disaster this season. After another blowup last night, Davis’s ERA is up to 5.51, and his peripherals aren’t much better, as his strikeout rate has dropped dramatically and his walk rate has continued to balloon. Worse, the spike in his home run rate from last year with the Cubs has gotten even worse this season.
  • Speaking of that blown game, though, it was an especially brutal one for the Rockies, because it came against the Dodgers, who are tied with the Diamondbacks for the NL West lead, and whom the Rockies are now 3.5 games behind. Win that game, and you’re just 1.5 games behind the Dodgers, and 2.5 games behind the Diamondbacks. And also, the Rockies are now 3-7 in their last 10. Really rough stretch for a team that had been on fire.
  • (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

  • I was very impressed by the Rockies’ thoughtful reaction on Twitter, which you could apply elsewhere in your life:
  • Players Weekend is happening again this year on August 24-26, and it’ll be when the Cubs are at Wrigley Field hosting the Reds, so that’s cool. The gear and the full slate of nicknames:
  • I’ve gotta say, the best of the group is Justin Hancock’s. (“It’s Herbie Hancock … “) Obviously Carl’s nickname has always been good, and Willy the Beast is solid.
  • Not sure any of the Cubs can top Brad Boxberger, though:
  • The early look on where the league could adjust to David Bote – like so many young hitters in the current era who’ve developed quality loft in their swing – is up in the zone:
  • You might remember this was an issue for Ian Happ last year (he, too, had added loft to his swing to improve power production), and he was able to adjust after a few weeks. Sure, then the league adjusts again, and the process keeps ongoing, but on this very simple first step, the adjustment can be made.
  • Meanwhile, I think Bote can top this:
  • Now that’s just fun as heck:
  • Bryce Harper missed yesterday’s game for the Nationals because of a couple previous hit-by-pitches to the same spot in his leg. I doubt he’ll miss this weekend’s series at Wrigley, or even be limited – dude has been on freaking fire since the All-Star break – but just as a heads up.
  • Willson Contreras is all about staying hydrated, saying that he hydrates the night before every game, and then drinks two cups of Gatorade every inning when he’s catching.
  • Fancy electronic cooking thingies are among the Deals of the Day at Amazon today.
  • written by

    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

    Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

    The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

    Blake Snell’s Reasonable Price Tag? Why Jordan Montgomery Might Wait a Little Longer?

    A couple updates on the top remaining - yup, still - free agent starting pitchers, lefties Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. Although rumors picked up on Snell and the Astros late last week, no signing news dropped. It was surprising,...

    Garrett Crochet Will Start on Opening Day for the White Sox, Marking an Extreme Rarity

    We don't cover the White Sox around here in a particularly close way - maybe a touch more than other non-NL-Central clubs because of the intracity interest - but this was surprising and interesting enough for me to note. The...

    Chicago Cubs Shortstop Prospect Jefferson Rojas Wants to Be Javy Báez

    I haven’t exactly made it a secret that Jefferson Rojas is one of my favorite prospects in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system. After debuting in the DSL at 17, Rojas skipped complex ball and wound up at Low-A Myrtle Beach...

    Taillon Throwing and a Roster Benefit, Amaya Catching, Friedl Wrist, Williams, Alonso, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know, if Seiya really rakes, and Cody hits again, and if Nico and Happ get on base a ton and Busch turns out to be a stud, and if Dansby is above average and Amaya breaks out and Morel...

    Spring Training Miscellany: Celebrate With a Green Beer, Happ Returns, Assad Solid, Cubs Win

    The Cubs won their St. Patrick's Day game over the Rangers 8-6 today, and it's time to tip back a green one in celebration ... About what you'd want to see from Javier Assad today as he continues to stretch...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ is Back!

    *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 this Chicago Cubs lineup? Don't miss out! For a limited time only, RECEIVE 10% OFF your...

    The Third Cut Includes Mervis, Four Others

    (Hear the song in your mind - it still fits!) The Chicago Cubs made their next set of cuts from big league camp today, sending out five players who were generally not expected to make the Opening Day roster. The...

    Spring Leaders, Key Injuries, Rays Payroll, Luck of the Irish, and Other Cubs Bullets

    A mighty fine St. Patrick's Day to you all. Although I've got a good bit of Irish in my blood, it's never been something I've connected to all that much. You can't really force it, but I kinda want to...

    Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Sweep the Split-Squad Day

    It was a split-squad day for the Cubs today, and they won both by a total of two runs. It was 4-3 over the Angels and 8-7 over the Royals. The only teams with a better spring record than the...

    Latest News

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are underdogs (+7) as they try to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) at 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The game airs on...

    Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    Southwest Division opponents square off when the Dallas Mavericks (39-29) visit the San Antonio Spurs (15-53) at AT&T Center, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites in the game, the fourth...

    Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Brooklyn Nets (26-42) will try to break a three-game losing streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-26) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center as 8.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM ET on YES....

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are 7-point underdogs as they try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The contest airs at 9:00 PM ET on NBA....

    Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Vancouver Canucks are -198 favorites over the Buffalo Sabres (+164) playing on home ice on Tuesday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-198)Underdog: Sabres (+164)Total: 6Best Canucks vs. Sabres Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    more cubs news