Ah, the Tuesday ritual: go to heated pilates, work harder than I will all week, sweat-soak every garment I have, and then sit in it while I write up the Bullets. SEXY BLOGGER PROBLEMS!
It had been a very long time since we got to see the Cubs score some runs, so we might as well enjoy the five they plated in the 7th inning yesterday:
Of the Cubs’ 24-inning scoreless streak, I was glad to see Joe Maddon admit one of those human things that we all know HAS to be true, but that few want to talk about (Cubs.com): “When you run into those zero things, man, it’s like an extra-inning game where you can’t score. It just gets in your head a bit.” Exactly! We know that some guys DO start to press in SOME situations, and wind up performing like a lesser version of themselves. It is a broadly applicable concept, too, and it just seems like no one wants to admit that it’s true. Behind the scenes, here’s hoping the Cubs continue to work aggressively on their mental skills program.
Also, even if that Schwarber bouncer doesn’t hit the base, the Mariners get, at most, one out on the play, and the Cubs score a second run. Put the ball in play! Good things happen even when the other team makes an out!
It was a big day for Anthony Rizzo, not only because his base hit got the Cubs off the schneid, but also because he became the franchise’s new HBP king with 143 bruises:
No issue in his return, and Davis finishes his first full pro season (as a high school draftee playing full-season ball in his first full year) with a .305/.381/.525 slash line over 204 plate appearances. That’s good for 160 wRC+ in the Midwest League, where, again, he was playing much younger and with much less pro experience than his competition. There’s a reason Bryan made him the top prospect on our recently-updated rankings (even if I, personally, might still have Miguel Amaya on top). The kid doesn’t even turn 20 until November!
All hitters age 19 and under at A/A+, minimum 200 PAs*
*The only 19 and under hitter above A/A+ who had 200 PAs was Luis Garcia in the Nationals org. He had a 79 wRC+ in AA. pic.twitter.com/GITtbByPMm
And every single one of them made remarkable and fundamental improvements far beyond the surface level as soon as they joined the Astros. And only Cole was younger than 32. They have the most incredible secret sauce in the league, are cheating, or both. Either way, POACH!
In the Bears’ world, I’m gonna give this one a duh (while making angry eyes at Cody Parkey):
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