Rizzo Leads With His Stare, Strop Continues to Succeed, Smyly’s Soreness, and Other Bullets

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to Aretha Franklin, who passed away yesterday at the age of 76.

  • With last night’s win, the Cubs moved to 20 games over .500 for the first time this season. They are 3.5 games up in the NL Central, and have reached 70 wins. For years, from 2010 to 2014, that was pretty much where the Cubs’ season-ending win total would wind up.
  • In the 9th inning last night, current-closer Pedro Strop struck out the first two Pirates he faced, and then hit David Freese with a two-strike pitch. Suddenly, the tying run was on base, and Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey came out for a mound meeting. At the conclusion of that meeting, Anthony Rizzo wanted to make sure Strop knew it was time to get it done:
  • Heh. I actually tend to think Rizzo was having some fun with Strop there in the moment, loosening things up, and keeping his closer relaxed. You can see the faintest hint of a smile on each man’s face as they part. Whether serious or not, it was funny as heck for us.
  • In the second half, when he has served as the Cubs’ closer, Pedro Strop has put up a 2.79 ERA, a 2.43 FIP, a 58.3% groundball rate, a 27.5% strikeout rate, and a 7.5% walk rate. That’s a good closer, my friends.
  • … though it still will improve the overall bullpen considerably when Brandon Morrow returns. He was throwing again on the field yesterday, but has not yet pitched off the mound after his biceps injury. A report indicated he could pitch off the mound for the first time this weekend, but we’ll see.
  • Joe Maddon and Theo Epstein reacted to the José Ureña pitch that drilled Ronald Acuña, Jr. because he was playing too well:
  • More details here at NBCS Chicago on Drew Smyly’s rehab process, and why it went from possibly August to now possibly September. As he puts it, “[My body is] just not really responding the way I want it to. It’s completely normal. It’s just part of the of the rehab process — shortening the window. When I’m on the mound and well-rested, I feel great and I walk off it excited where I’m at and ready for the next step. I kinda wake up the next day and the soreness just lingers.” Everyone recovers from Tommy John surgery differently, and very few pitchers are “themselves” again 12 to 14 months later, even if they’re able to pitch. So, it’s very possible that Smyly will simply finish out the season still rehabbing, and then gear up to compete for a rotation spot next spring.
  • The Cubs are popular, especially El Mago:
  • Players Weekend gear is right here if you want to check it out.
  • What, uh, what are we doing here:
  • To be sure, Harrison Bader is having a really strong season, hitting .285/.354/.446 (118 wRC+) and playing good defense at age 24 in his first full season in the big leagues. He also has a .378 BABIP that looks at least somewhat unsupported by his contact data, and if that slips, his overall line will take a big hit. I won’t even touch the dang “Trout” thing.
  • You can get $100 off iPad Airs at Amazon today.
  • It took a surprising amount of time and correspondence and pushing and justifying (thanks, Michael), but we finally got our Facebook Page for BN Bears changed from The Ten-Yard Line. So, that seems as good a reason as any to remind you fine folks that we also cover the Bears, and you can follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook right here:
  • 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

    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

    Braves vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Atlanta Braves start their season as road favorites (-125) in a matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday at 3:05 PM ET, live on BSSO from Citizens Bank Park.Spencer Strider will get the ball for Atlanta while Philadelphia will...

    Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

    Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

    Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers open their season as -110 favorites in a road matchup with the New York Mets on Friday at 1:40 PM ET, live on SNY.Freddy Peralta gets the starting nod for Milwaukee while Jose Quintana is New York's...

    Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-0) in an Opening Day contest at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.The Braves will call on Spencer Strider against the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs. Phillies Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

    Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

    Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) and the New York Mets (0-0) face off on Friday at Citi Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 1:40 PM ET.The Brewers will look to Freddy Peralta versus the Mets and Jose Quintana.Brewers vs....

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

    Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

    more cubs news