Earlier today, I wrote up Jason Heyward’s recent hot streak and impressive underlying peripherals (no need to worry about a jinx, he’s not in the lineup tonight), with a special focus on the fact that he’s already hit 11 home runs – tied for as much as he has had in any full season with the Cubs and tied (twice) for the most by today’s date throughout his entire career.
But of course, the big caveat to that is the fact that the balls have been – and continue to be – juiced. Everyone’s hitting more home runs. And while Heyward is pretty clearly swinging a better bat than he has in the past (it’s not like that’s the only way he’s improved), the juiced ball matters.
But I know what you’re thinking, hasn’t the ball been juiced since roughly 2015? Yes. It has. But it might be even more juiced this season. You can get the full low-down right here at The Athletic, but the short version is yes, the ball is different. Among the working theories (it’s likely a series of contributing factors) you can thank a subtly smaller ball size, lower seam height, smoother leather covers, greater spherical symmetry, and a more centered core. Dr. Meredith Willis breaks it all down right here, but make no mistake, the launch angle revolution is not – on its own – the reason so many home run records are set to be broken this season.
Jordan Hicks – the leagues resident flame thrower at the moment – has a torn UCL in his right elbow. And although they went back and forth at first, Tommy John surgery is happening tomorrow:
Jordan Hicks will have TJ surgery Wednesday morning, per Mozeliak. #cardinals
Hicks will almost certainly not throw again this season and that’s a tough blow for the Cardinals, whose bullpen has relied on him quite a bit this year. He hasn’t been their best reliever, but he does have 14 saves and a 3.14 ERA over 28.2 IP.
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Speaking of the Cardinals, did you notice that Paul Goldschmidt was not one of the three finalists for the NL first base All-Star voting? That’s pretty unusual for him – he’s typically among the best hitters in baseball, not just at his position and/or in one league – but his .332 wOBA is WELL below his career .389 wOBA mark. And Mike Petriello seems to have discovered why. But before you get excited, note that the one thing he’s struggled with the most (offspeed pitches) is making a big turnaround:
If you're wondering what a .160 wOBA on offspeed pitches means, well, there's 43 guys who have had at least 50 PA end on those pitches, and his .160 wOBA is … better than only Dexter Fowler's .145. https://t.co/m5CCZtpTIS
Goldschmidt wouldn’t be the first player to struggle early in the season before turning things around later – especially not on a new team – and I wouldn’t bet against him. He’s been too good for too long to just completely fall off without some sort of major injury. You can probably bet that the Cardinals, who just signed him to a 5-year/$130M extension, are wringing their hands though.
Since returning from the Injured List on June 5th, Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson has made three starts and they’ve all been pretty bad. Well, to put it in his own words: “They all sucked.” Collectively, he’s gone just 12.0 total innings, allowing 13 earned runs on 16 hits, 10 walks, and 13 strikeouts. Yikes. The Brewers have since announced that he would transition into the bullpen, where he will likely work in long relief. The Brewers weren’t banking their entire season on his return – they’ve done pretty well despite him – but I’m sure they were hoping he could be the boost they needed to topple the Cubs. You can read all about that decision on how he and the Brewers feel about his return right here.
I don’t need to tell you that the Mets are a mess, but the latest from their former-agent-turned GM is pretty wild. Apparently, Brodie Van Wagenen was watching a game *from home* the other day when he called a member of the Mets support staff to tell their manager, Mickey Callaway, to remove Jacob deGrom from a game. deGrom had sustained a hip cramp, apparently, but was otherwise certain he could remain in the game. And despite Callaway being grilled for the decision to pull deGrom, Van Wagenen never came forward to take responsibility for the call (should I mention the Mets bullpen blew the game after deGrom was removed and was visibly annoyed for being taken out). Weird story.
In case you missed it, the Rays owner has been trying to sell this idea of splitting the Rays home games between Tampa Bay and Montreal … while failing miserably. You can hear more of his pitch and the pushback right here. But mostly, I just want to use this as an excuse to remind you all of my *fire-emoji fire-emoji fire-emoji* Tweet from the day the news broke:
BREAKING: The Chicago #Cubs have received MLB's permission to explore becoming a two-city team: Chicago and Milwaukee, but then they realized they already own stadiums in both cities.
And finally … Well this is interesting – and almost certainly something that could wind up being a passive benefit towards the Cubs for a few years:
This is going to become a larger and larger effect, especially as ex-pros tell kids what their experiences were inside the game. Players are refusing to sign with certain orgs and inflating their bonus demands because they don't want to go to work every day and fight the coaches.
Good on the kid for doing his homework and knowing how to find a place wherein he might be best situated to succeed. Give up $100K now for the chance at a bigger contract later. Not everyone can be so cavalier with money or their career, but if you’re feeling confident, I like the approach.
Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL.
In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy.
You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami
Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...
The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...
Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...
The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...
If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...
Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...
As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...
Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...
Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...
Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...
The Cincinnati Reds (9-9) hope to avoid their fourth straight defeat when they host the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) Friday at 6:40 PM ET on BSOH. The Reds are listed as -124 favorites to snap their losing skid, while the...
Coming off of a 3-1 series win over the Red Sox, the Cleveland Guardians (13-6) are -169 favorites to pick up the win in Game 1 of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics (8-11). The series begins at Progressive...
The Boston Red Sox (10-10) are the underdogs on the moneyline (-105) in Friday's contest versus the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8). The game starts at 6:40 PM ET on SportsNet PT. The Red Sox are favored against the spread in this...
Jose Altuve, batting .388 this season, leads the Houston Astros (6-14) into a matchup with Jesse Winker (.364 AVG) and the Washington Nationals (8-10). The Astros are -166 favorites on the moneyline for the matchup at Nationals Park, beginning at...
The Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) and Kyle Schwarber (2 HR in his last game) are favored (-182) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Chicago White Sox (3-15) on Friday at 6:40 PM ET on NBCS-PH.Spencer Turnbull takes the mound...
Amed Rosario will look to extend his 10-game hitting streak when the Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) take on the New York Yankees (13-6). The Yankees are listed as -162 favorites on the moneyline for the contest, which starts at 7:05...
Two of the league's top power hitters meet Friday when the Atlanta Braves (12-5) and Texas Rangers (11-9) take the field at 7:20 PM ET, live on Apple TV+. Marcell Ozuna has eight home runs for the Braves (-203 favorites...
After winning four games in a row, the Baltimore Orioles (12-6) play on the road against the Kansas City Royals (12-7) at 7:40 PM ET on Friday.The Orioles will give the ball to Dean Kremer (0-1, 4.96 ERA), who is...
The St. Louis Cardinals (9-10) kick off a three-game series on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers (11-6). The matchup begins at 8:15 PM ET at Busch Stadium.The Brewers will look to Freddy Peralta (2-0) against the Cardinals and Kyle Gibson...
The Detroit Tigers (10-9) begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins (6-11) on Friday at Target Field. First pitch is at 8:10 PM.The Twins will look to Joe Ryan (0-1) against the Tigers and Jack Flaherty (0-1).Twins vs. Tigers...
NEWSLETTER
