A New Streak for the Cubs, the Hyped and Dreaded Yu-Jake Match-Up, and Other Bullets

May 20, 2019

I thought it was fine. Relative to the last two seasons, and against the weight of having to wrap up a decade-long series, I really did think it was fine. Not jaw-dropping or incredible, but fine. And compared to what has come before recently, that’s pretty good. It’ll take some time to digest the final story lines as part of the whole series (because right now, it feels SO disjointed), but I think the series will go down in my mind as one of the most enjoyable viewing experiences I’ve had, overall. Probably not quite there with some of the other golden era top-tier shows, but very high.

I actually think #AtCubs summed it up pretty well, and offered a nice transition in so doing:

The series finale certainly wasn’t perfect, but overall we’re happy with how it ended.

Recap: https://t.co/q1m59UoK6K #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/5rjhn5eqaD

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 20, 2019

Any time you head into a road series where you’ll be facing Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg for two of the three games, if you win that series, you’re happy about it. It also still feels like, despite their dreadful record, the Nationals are so much more talented individually than the sum of their parts. Beating them, then, somehow also feels more impressive than it might otherwise just by looking at their results so far.

Moving ahead now, the Cubs get to come home to host another NL East team, albeit one seeing a great deal more success so far this season: the first place Phillies, fresh off a sweep of the Rockies, with Bryce Harper suddenly on fire. And, of course, the first game of the series tonight features this:

Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta will face off for the first time since joining the #Cubs and #Phillies.

Who gets the W tonight on @NBCSChicago? TUNE IN at 6:30 when coverage begins! STREAM: https://t.co/XaxYKtJljh pic.twitter.com/NS4SUnRY4Q

— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) May 20, 2019

I’m excited to get to be in the park for this one, but also pretty unnerved by the very plausible risk of being there for Yu Darvish being booed by his own home fans, who then cheer the opposing pitcher the next inning. Don’t get me wrong, I love Jake Arrieta and always will. I’m just saying, it would be really nice – when you consider all the context, and how the atmospherics seem to affect Darvish – for him to pitch well, get tons of love from the fans, and beat Arrieta here at Wrigley.

I recently offered my thoughts on what it means to have traded Tommy La Stella before his power breakout, and here’s more on what he’s doing in his post-Cubs life:

And then there’s this!: Tommy La Slugger: How Angels' La Stella found his power stroke https://t.co/qz8oZAoytx

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) May 20, 2019

Another really good Deal of the Day day at Amazon, with grills, smokers, Dyson vacuums, and swimwear among the big sales.

Albert Almora had another couple extra-base hits yesterday, pushing his season line up to .270/.308/.421, which is now actually better by wRC+ (91 versus 89) than last year. He still needs to get up over league average offensively to be a really impactful player overall (when you factor in defense), but this is absolutely a playable level. That said, his quality of contact (huge groundball rate, low hard contact rate, high soft contact rate) is still leaving a lot to be desired, especially for a guy who doesn’t walk (4.4%). It’s a process.

A new episode of Onto Waveland is live, and it’s spoiler-free, just in case:

🎙 Today on Onto Waveland → @sahadevsharma @PJ_Mooney and @Brett_A_Taylor talk about the latest with the Cubs.

⚾️ Joe Maddon vs. Sean Doolittle
⚾️ Yu Darvish vs. Jake Arrieta

Listen: https://t.co/OKbcSbuyWO

— The Athletic Chicago (@TheAthleticCHI) May 20, 2019

written by

Brett Taylor

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

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Braves 2, Cubs 0 – May 13, 2024

Well that ninth inning rally started off great, with Cody Bellinger and Christopher Morel reaching, the latter on 12-pitch walk (the longest PA of his career). And then POOF. In just two pitches, the Cubs made three outs and the...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Las Vegas Aces face the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET in the season opener for both teams. The matchup airs on ESPN2 and ESPN+.Watch the WNBA all season long on Fubo!How to Watch...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

How to Watch

Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Minnesota Lynx take on the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The game, the first of the 2024 season for both teams, tips at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN3, BSNX, FOX13+, and Prime Video.Watch...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Philadelphia Phillies will take the field against the New York Mets (19-21) on Tuesday. The game begins at 1:10 PM ET on SNY, with the Phillies listed as -140 favorites on the moneyline.Aaron Nola starts for Philadelphia while Jose...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 14

The New York Mets (19-21) play on Tuesday in Queens against the Philadelphia Phillies (29-13). First pitch is at 1:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Phillies will send Aaron Nola (4-2) to the mound, while Jose...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Celtics vs. Cavaliers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Wednesday, May 15, 2024

The Boston Celtics are massive 15.5-point favorites in a decisive Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on Wednesday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on TNT. The Celtics have...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Thunder vs. Mavericks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Western Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Wednesday, May 15, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks are 4.5-point underdogs in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Wednesday, tipping off at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The series is tied 2-2....

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

NBA Picks

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Western Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves meet in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 4.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 10:30 PM ET. The over/under in...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

NBA Picks

Knicks vs. Pacers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Indiana Pacers are slight 2.5-point underdogs in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on TNT. The series is...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

How to Watch

New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Washington Mystics go up against the New York Liberty at St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The game, the first of the 2024 season for both teams, tips at 7:00 PM ET on...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

How to Watch

Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Indiana Fever go up against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The game, the first of the 2024 season for both teams, tips at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+.Watch the WNBA...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

A New Streak for the Cubs, the Hyped and Dreaded Yu-Jake Match-Up, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular