Long Losing Streak, Castellanos Bummed, Happ Adjusting, Lester on Maddon, and Other Cubs Bullets

The post-elimination lineup tonight could really be something. I hope for some fun, in addition to all the things I’m hoping for in the final four games.

  • The Cubs’ current eight-game losing streak is their longest since late 2012, the first year of the rebuild. Appropriate, perhaps. But also, good lord what a collapse this has been.
  • Post-elimination, I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see Anthony Rizzo again this season. Kris Bryant is already out, and he’ll now stay out. Javy Baez might pinch run, like he did last night, but really only if he asks for it, I reckon. Craig Kimbrel is also probably done.
  • Nick Castellanos was awfully bummed last night about the Cubs’ elimination, which is understandable and sad. The dude just wants to win, and just wants to play in the postseason:
  • I very much hope the Cubs stay involved in his free agency talks, though, as I explored this week, finding that right price level for him is going to be really tricky.
  • Ian Happ knocked a dinger last night, which was nice to see for a variety of reasons:
  • https://twitter.com/cachorros/status/1177026191389315077

  • It’s been a rough year for Happ, who was a surprise demotion to AAA to open the season, and then he was there until well into the second half of the season. But what I have loved to see is not only that he now has an above-average line (.240/.314/.480, 103 wRC+), it’s that the things the Cubs wanted him to improve upon have shown progress, and have done so without completely torpedoing his results:
  •  

  • It’s worth remembering how little minor league time Happ had, and how he only just turned 25. A switch-hitter with his natural power and speed is a guy you really, really want to “get right.” Whether he remains with the Cubs into next year or not, the under-the-hood progress this year is encouraging (very much unlike the under-the-hood YIKES stuff that was emerging at this time last year).
  • With his 40th appearance last night, the Cubs’ club option on David Phelps bumped up to $5 million from $3 million, assuring that it will not be picked up. I still like him as a possible returning for this bullpen next year, but not at $5 million.
  • (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

  • I’ll need to read this several times today, because Jon Lester tends to sum up these situations well:
  • The one that sticks out is Lester’s response on Joe Maddon, the manager who arrived with the Cubs just before he did: “Man, I can’t say enough positives about what Joe’s done just flat-out for this organization. Up until here recently this year, I think we led MLB in wins and that’s a testament to him. We broke a 108-year curse — however you want to call it, streak. I think no matter what happens, if he continues here, gravy. I think if he doesn’t, he should be revered as a legend in this town for a long, long time. What he did for this organization, you talk about a rebuild, you talk about signings, you talk about all that stuff, he was the first guy to write his name on that paper. He believed. Him believing made other people believe. So, what he’s done not only for this organization, but for this city, is huge. Hopefully, like I said, that’s above my pay grade, I don’t make those decisions, and I’m sure they’ll sit down and talk about it.”
  • No matter what happens in the coming days, I have no doubt that, over the years ahead, Maddon absolutely *will* be revered as a legend.
  • Woof:
  • Also, woof – this hurt to go back and read:
  • I’m sure it won’t ultimately matter, because an extension will get done, but I didn’t realize Dodgers President Andrew Friedman was a free agent after this season:
  • Amazon launched a big revamp of their Alexa-attached products, including new products and also will be offering Samuel L. Jackson as a new Alexa voice, cursing optional. That is not a joke.
  • Michael talks to David DeJesus:
  • Joking, but also kinda serious:
  • Am I allowed to think this is kinda nice:
  • https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1177050576519122946

  • Emotional memory:
  • https://twitter.com/espn/status/1177206394254188544

  • Come on, people:
  • Bulls signing, Bears injuries, Trubisky likes to get yelled at:
  • 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.

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