NEWSLETTER
Took The Littlest Girl on a walk yesterday, and we wound up tracking just behind the garbage truck. She was losing her mind, so we mostly wound up following the truck through our neighborhood. Kinda weird, yes, but the guy at the back was very nice, waving and enjoying her enthusiasm.
• It remains the case that the Cubs are likely to mix and match the DH spot a good bit this year, but Sahadev Sharma lays out the case that, mostly, it should just be Kyle Schwarber:
The obvious candidate to be DH for the Cubs is probably the best one too. https://t.co/wVY2oQPtvp
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) June 30, 2020
• The argument is about what you’d expect: Schwarber is a great hitter (and he’s hit very well in DH time), Ian Happ and Steven Souza Jr. are available to play left field, likely better defensively than Schwarber, so there you go. Obviously Sharma does it much better justice than that, so you’ll have to read for the full rundown.
• But the rub for me remains what happens in center field when you DH Schwarber. That means you’ve gotta put Happ or Souza there, and unless the other goes to center field (it’s no lock right now that Souza, who has now missed even more time, is going to be hitting well right away), it’s regular starts for Albert Almora, Jr. (assuming Nico Hoerner doesn’t play center field). I would *LOVE* to be optimistic about an Almora rebound this year, but it’s a tall ask, despite all the offseason talk about his swing, his approach, his mindset, etc.
• That is all to say: if you had superb confidence in either Almora or Souza, then sure, fine, Schwarber can mostly DH. But if that isn’t true, then are you really gaining much by hiding Schwarber’s not-so-bad glove in favor of adding a possibly-quite-terrible bat?
• On Schwarber, manager David Ross had this to say, per Sharma: “I’ve actually had this conversation with Kyle. I think we’re on the same page. He’s ready to do whatever I ask and wherever I put him. He’s still taking reps. He’s comfortable in the DH spot, he’s told me that. I told him it’s not going to be strictly a DH role for him. I will balance that lineup and try to play who is giving us the best at-bats and some matchup things we may find, putting guys in the right situation. I don’t see Kyle as a huge outfield risk for us. We do have some guys that are better defensive outfielders than Kyle. But he plays a solid left field and I don’t have any hesitation putting him out there.”
• No wonder it felt right away like David Bote was mega-clutch:
David Bote's first four home runs at Wrigley Field:
• First career home run
• Game tying home run in the 9th
• Walk-off grand slam
• Walk-off home run#WorkFromHome | @Wintrust pic.twitter.com/7T6WWzvKzL— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 2, 2020
• With the minor league season officially cancelled this week, the Cubs’ affiliates mourned:
https://twitter.com/IowaCubs/status/1278071689654554624
Minor League Baseball announced today that there will not be a 2020 Minor League Baseball season. The health and safety of our fans, players and staff members is our top priority. We look forward to creating more memories that last a lifetime at Smokies Stadium. pic.twitter.com/h1awiSHtqV
— Tennessee Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) June 30, 2020
We're halfway through this unflockingbelievable year.
Here's to the second half: https://t.co/EM0bsXYfVH pic.twitter.com/aazEaPl4j7
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) July 1, 2020
We miss you. We ❤️ you. pic.twitter.com/HYxR0odZoV
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) July 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/EugeneEmeralds/status/1278443228505632768
• More from Cubs reporting yesterday:
https://twitter.com/NBCSCubs/status/1278468846408683520
• Cubs players are ready to strap it on:
God bless @MLBastian for taking on the tough questions. #StrapItOn https://t.co/AKyolYD4ls pic.twitter.com/kdDksZ849J
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 2, 2020
• Fanatics has a site-wide huge sale going on today only (up to 65% off), so make sure you do some perusing.
• I get jokes:
“hey Kyle Hendricks throw as hard as you can” pic.twitter.com/P0j3RCEKKM
— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) July 2, 2020
• David Ross said it, so Obvious Shirts made it:
Everyone asked for the shirt, so we made the shirt. #obviousshirts #DavidRoss https://t.co/vhcGjFqShf
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) July 1, 2020
