NEWSLETTER
I’m sorry, but did Nacho Fries at Taco Bell only last like two weeks? I feel like they were barely there this time around and then gone. I wanted Nacho Fries this weekend!
• In the 9th inning last night, Willson Contreras was subject to one of the fastest ejections you’ll ever see:
• The thing is, the pitch was a strike. You could see it on the broadcast if you followed the pitch closely, and then the pitch-tracking from Statcast also had the pitch pretty clearly in the zone. HOWEVA, thanks to the pitch’s shape and the catcher’s receiving, it looked WAY inside, and I can understand why Willson got so pissed in that moment. He thought he’d just loaded the bases with one out in a two-run game. He probably said a magic word or two, the ump probably reacted understandably, and that was that. Everyone did a thing that was kinda understandable.
• Oh, and I love how David Ross was like, well, I *have* to say something to the ump. “So, uh, that was a strike, huh? Are you sure? OK. Bye.”
• It was a rough night for Contreras overall, despite him crushing a homer. He got robbed not once but TWICE by some stellar Brewers defense, with Luis Urias making a diving play up the middle on a sure-fire single, and Lorenzo Cain doing this to rob at least a double:
WHAT A CATCH BY LORENZO CAIN 😱 pic.twitter.com/nWEiBIVjHV
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 18, 2021
• The Brewers have owned the Cubs this year almost unlike they’ve owned any other team:
From the Brewers postgame notes:
Milwaukee improved to 15-3 against the Cubs in this year…..it is the second time in franchise history the Brewers have won 15 games against a single opponent in the same season…..the 2019 Brewers went 15-4 vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) September 19, 2021
• So does that mean if they win today, the Brewers will have had their best single season against any one opponent? If it happens, that’s some serious ignominy for the Cubs.
• Ian Happ, still raking:
.@ihapp_1 drills his 23rd home run of the year! pic.twitter.com/2XO4g1B5Xm
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 19, 2021
• Happ’s wRC+ (103) is nearly matching that from his sophomore season (106), which was followed by the surprising decision to send him to Triple-A Iowa to open that next season. I don’t really mean anything by it, just noticed it. And yes, I am very aware of the context around how Happ has put together his numbers this year, and why it gives you pause about planning to rely on him as a guaranteed starter next year.
• Justin Steele got his first career hit last night, which was also the first hit off of Corbin Burnes in a very long time (remember the shared no-hitter):
First career knock for @J_Steele21! pic.twitter.com/QmGPHb27L0
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 19, 2021
• It’s ok to be happy about fun things (Marquee): “That was really cool,” Steele said. “I’ve really enjoyed hitting my whole entire life. Really loved it growing up — high school and stuff. Getting a hit in the big leagues was always a thing I wanted to accomplish. If they get rid of the DH next year, I can always say I got a big-league hit.” As for the pitching, like I said last night, I love the 11 whiffs in 79 pitches, but overall too much wildness to really be successful as a starter. I feel very confident that a healthy Steele contributes to the Cubs next year. Still not sure how many starts he’ll get.
• The Myrtle Beach Pelicans finished off their win last night with this play from Ed Howard, and just … the transfer and the arm are wow:
This seems like the appropriate highlight to cap off the night with.@ehowardIV | #CubTogether pic.twitter.com/STCKqvVUIq
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) September 19, 2021
• Interview with sidearming righty Cubs reliever Scott Effross:
I sat down with @Cubs RP @ScottEffross before yesterday's game. He had great insight into his switch to sidearm. @WatchMarquee pic.twitter.com/xHowYM4WdY
— Elise Menaker (@EliseMenaker) September 18, 2021
• It is, indeed, fairly hilarious:
Eric Sogard wOBA: .259
Cody Bellinger wOBA: .232I find that hilarious
— Brendan Miller (@CubsRelated) September 19, 2021
• Don’t forget Javy Báez’s challenging story:
Javier Baez electrifies and infuriates. There isn't another player like him, which will make his free agency fascinating.
Wherever he winds up, the people who shaped him will be there. He plays for his family, and the two he lost along the way.https://t.co/m430UJAGc8
— Mark W. Sanchez (@MarkWSanchez) September 18, 2021
• Go win yourself some gear:
https://twitter.com/obvious_shirts/status/1439372204056195074
• Training camp battle time:
Chicago Blackhawks Training Camp Position Battles: Top-Line Centerhttps://t.co/NCN4XpuOF8
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 18, 2021
