Zobrist’s Comeback, Mills’ Solid Outing, Montgomery’s Return, and Other Bullets

Brett Taylor

Aug 30, 2018

I decided to work at Potbelly today after dropping The Littlest Girl off at school. The rub is that it doesn’t open until 11, so I’m working in the parking lot in my car for like an hour and a half. Weirdo.

The Chicago Cubs just won back-to-back games started by Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom … and then got blown out in a game started by Jason Vargas. It doesn’t get more “baseball” than that. But as we explored last night, it means the Cubs still won the series – they’ve not lost a series in a month – and you take ’em how you get ’em. Good thing Ben Zobrist knocked that walk-off into center field, eh?

On the loss, Alec Mills allowed a first-inning grand slam to Todd Frazier on a meatball, but then pitched four scoreless innings. He once again got a ton of whiffs (10 on his 89 pitches), while striking out five and walking two. There was nothing in that start that changed my early perspective on him: you see some big league back-of-the-rotation potential.

Whether Mills gets another turn in the rotation as part of a six-man group remains to be seen. Mike Montgomery returns tonight to face the Braves, and it’s certainly possible that Mills could be the guy optioned back to Iowa to make room on the roster (which, by the way, would not preclude Mills returning to make starts in September). I’d like to see Mills get some more starts right now while he’s commanding all of his pitches. Not only do I think he can be competitive for the Cubs, I like that it gets a little bit more of a breather for the primary starters who may need to pitch deep into October at max effort.

Speaking of Montgomery:

Mike Montgomery starts tonight for the Cubs and @sahadevsharma talked to him about his "new" pitch that's setting up his old ones: https://t.co/W4JBgOqPnQ
— jon greenberg (@jon_greenberg) August 30, 2018

Just a fantastic read here from Jesse Rogers on the detailed mechanics on how the Cubs wound up landing Daniel Murphy in a waiver trade with the Nationals. Walking through the process on these types of deals is really fun to see, from the moment the Cubs surprisingly got their daily update from the league about which players they were eligible to acquire (Murphy being one of them), to the moment they finally managed to pull off the trade – just two minutes before the deadline expired, according to Jed Hoyer.

Back to Zobrist for a moment: the 37-year-old is having such an incredibly resurgent year that he should probably be in heavy consideration for comeback player of the year. After posting a .232/.318/.375 line last year (82 wRC+ (that’s 18% worse than league average)), dude is hitting .312/.391/.461 this year with a 130 wRC+, his highest mark since 2012.

Joe Maddon says that Zobrist, who has been rested a lot this year, is “playing with a lot of mental energy right now …. (I) talk to him all the time. He’s definitely totally engaged. And I think, again, he’s fresh. I don’t see him as being beaten up right now.” Zobrist is still just a very, very good hitter. Last year, he was simply not healthy. Now he is, and he’s raking.

Where he’ll play when Addison Russell and Kris Bryant return? Well, I think you’ll still see him working in regularly in the corner outfield spots and very periodically at second base, doing so at the expense of Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora, and Ian Happ. Zobrist can’t play every day in any case, but that bat is just too good to keep out too often.

Apropos of Josh Donaldson hitting waivers with the Blue Jays fully intending to dump him, the Cardinals just placed third baseman Jedd Gyorko on the disabled list with a groin strain that doesn’t sound too good. Brace yourself for a Donaldson move.

Five-tool Javy:

The year of Javy. #5ToolPlayer pic.twitter.com/TbLCLS1ZL1

— MLB (@MLB) August 29, 2018

Sammy Sosa at Coors Field, man. It was something to behold:

#SummerofSammy: 20 years ago today, Sammy crushed one a mile high, for his 54th home run of the season: https://t.co/BO9Zaf7VII pic.twitter.com/JsdxeUgUJz
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) August 30, 2018

Fanatics has a 20% off sale going on today (code KICKOFF), so jump on it and check out the Cubs gear.

Dyson vacuums, power banks, shoes, security cameras, and much more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon today.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation. You can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation, on Bluesky at @Brett-Taylor, 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

Cubs “Have Checked In” on Recovering, But Dominant Free-Agent Reliever Brooks Raley

Here's an interesting new rumor for Sunday morning. According to Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs are one of the teams who've checked in on free-agent left-handed reliever Brooks Raley - he of a 2.58 ERA over his...

Michael Cerami

Jan 12, 2025

Chicago Cubs

IFA Week and the Cubs Class, Festa and Good Weird, More Funds, Woodruff, and Other Cubs Bullets

Thoughts are still with the folks out west, dealing with the terrible wildfires. Scary to hear that more winds are coming once, which could exacerbate things again. Hopefully there will be enough respite soon to get these under control. The...

Brett Taylor

Jan 12, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Reading Roki Sasaki Tea Leaves: Did an International Prospect Change Just Spill the Beans?

Everyone is understandably looking for tea leaves in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes, and one of the most obvious ones we all pointed out to anticipate was the breaking of handshake deals with International Free Agent signings. If a team started...

Brett Taylor

Jan 12, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Farewell, Jorge Lopez – He’s Signing with the Nationals

By the time the Cubs had added Colin Rea, or even earlier with the Eli Morgan trade or the Cody Poteet acquisition or the Matt Festa claim or the Caleb Thielbar signing or some combination of those plus the many...

Brett Taylor

Jan 11, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Thinking Through the Cubs’ Moves, Roles and Funds, Rea, Hoffman, and Other Cubs Bullets

I believe I have shoveled more in the last week than I did all winter before this week, plus last winter, combined. I don't really hate it THAT much, at least now that I have a much better back situation,...

Brett Taylor

Jan 11, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Blue Jays Land Jeff Hoffman on a Three-Year Deal

This would've been a very good signing for the Chicago Cubs. Sensibly-priced given the talent and market, and a pretty critical need. But the Cubs of the current front office simply DO NOT give out reliever contracts like this: OFFICIAL:...

Brett Taylor

Jan 10, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Signing Old Friend and Former Brewers Starter Colin Rea

The Cubs have made a pitching addition today, though it's probably not among the names you had on your radar for a significant move. It's old friend Colin Rea: Free agent right-hander Colin Rea and the #Cubs have agreed to...

Brett Taylor

Jan 10, 2025

Chicago Cubs

The Roki Sasaki Vibes Ain’t Great, Babe

To be clear, the vibes on the Chicago Cubs landing Roki Sasaki should never have been particularly high to begin with, and I've done my best to keep folks' hopes in check from the jump. The rumors on the Dodgers...

Brett Taylor

Jan 10, 2025

MLB Rumors have also reached Mets slugger Pete Alonso

Chicago Cubs

Lukewarm Stove: Short-Term for Both Bregman and Alonso? Does Cabrera Make Sense for Cubs? More

MLB RUMORS — Well, we're officially in a holding pattern. The big-time free-agent relievers are still standing by for Tanner Scott to set the market (Andrew Kittredge notwithstanding). Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman are in no man's land and are...

Michael Cerami

Jan 10, 2025

Chicago Cubs

The Whole Tucker Thing, Mastrobuoni’s DFA, Franklin on the Mound, and Other Cubs Bullets

'Conclave' was good. I don't have much more to say than that, especially since I'm way late on watching it, and also because I don't know much about how realistic it is. Just an interesting, well-paced story to enjoy. The...

Brett Taylor

Jan 10, 2025

Picks

Rublev vs. Fonseca Prediction at the Australian Open – Tuesday, January 14

In the Round of 128 at the Australian Open on Tuesday, Joao Fonseca (ranked No. 112) meets Andrey Rublev (No. 9).Against the underdog Fonseca (+120), Rublev is the favorite (-150) to advance.Australian Open InfoTournament: The Australian OpenRound: Round of 128Date:...

Data Skrive

Jan 10, 2025

Picks

Halys vs. Fils Prediction at the Australian Open – Tuesday, January 14

In the Round of 64 at the Australian Open on Tuesday, Quentin Halys (ranked No. 74) takes on Arthur Fils (No. 21).Fils is favored over Halys, with -500 odds compared to the underdog's +333.Australian Open InfoTournament: The Australian OpenRound: Round...

Data Skrive

Jan 12, 2025

How to Watch

How to Watch Loyola (MD) Greyhounds vs. American Eagles Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The Loyola (MD) Greyhounds (6-9) bring a four-game slide into a home matchup with the American Eagles (0-15), losers of 15 straight.Loyola (MD) dropped its previous game to Navy, 63-59, on Saturday. Amandine Amorich was its high scorer with 20...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

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

The Howard Bison (9-8) will attempt to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Coppin State Eagles (11-8) on January 13, 2025 at Burr Gymnasium.Howard won its previous game against Morgan State, 75-56, on Saturday. Saniyah King...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

South Carolina State vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks (5-12) aim to stop a seven-game road losing streak when they visit the South Carolina State Bulldogs (2-17) on January 13, 2025.In its previous game, South Carolina State defeated Delaware State on Saturday, 68-62. Shaunice Reed...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

Grambling vs. Florida A&M Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

SWAC play features the Grambling Tigers (4-10) at home against the Florida A&M Rattlers (4-9) on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM ET.Grambling dropped its previous game to Bethune-Cookman, 70-52, on Saturday. Alyssa Phillip led the way with 11...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

How to Watch LSU Tigers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The LSU Tigers (18-0) will attempt to extend an 18-game win streak when they host the Vanderbilt Commodores (14-3) on January 13, 2025 at Pete Maravich Assembly Center.In its most recent game, LSU defeated Tennessee on Thursday, 89-87. Aneesah Morrow...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

How to Watch Morgan State Bears vs. Norfolk State Spartans Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The Morgan State Bears (9-9) hope to continue a seven-game home winning streak when they host the Norfolk State Spartans (15-4) on January 13, 2025.In its previous game, Morgan State lost to Howard on Saturday, 75-56. Naya Ojukwu scored a...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

How to Watch Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions vs. Prairie View A&M Panthers Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (2-10) take a seven-game losing streak into a home matchup with the Prairie View A&M Panthers (3-9), who have lost three straight.On Saturday, in its most recent game, UAPB fell to Alabama A&M 66-52. With...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

North Carolina Central vs. Delaware State Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Delaware State Hornets (3-13) will attempt to turn around a nine-game losing streak when they visit the North Carolina Central Eagles (3-14) on January 13, 2025 at McDougald-McLendon Arena.North Carolina Central won its most recent game versus Maryland-Eastern Shore,...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

Zobrist’s Comeback, Mills’ Solid Outing, Montgomery’s Return, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News