Finally a Load of Homegrown Pitching, Discipline on Display, Suzuki is Kind, and Other Cubs Bullets

Happy Marcus Stroman Day! Hopefully Stroman is just his usual self – he need not be anything more than that – and the Cubs will have a chance to pull off this sweep to open the season.

As for yesterday’s win, and other things …

•   Justin Steele got just five whiffs out of his 77 pitches yesterday but get this incredible bit: every single one of those whiffs was the putaway pitch on a strikeout. Going for some early contact and/or called strikes and save the best stuff for two-strike situations? That’s a real thing, by the way: some pitchers are simply best at reserving their out pitches for strike three, so they might not have a great swinging strike rate overall, but actually wind up having a really good strikeout rate. Small sample, obviously, but so far in his big league career, Steele has been one of those guys: his swinging strike rate is slightly below league average, but his strikeout rate is above league average.

•   Also something we’ve seen before from Steele when he’s at his best? Nearly 60% of his balls in play yesterday were on the ground. That’s stellar.

•   As for Keegan Thompson, that right there was exactly the version we were seeing of Thompson last year when he was in a multi-inning relief role. Out of 42 pitches, he got six whiffs and eight called strikes (a 33% called strike plus whiffs rate (CSW) is very good). If it weren’t for the HBP shenanigans, he was set to go three scoreless innings on just 45-ish pitches. That is just so good and valuable.

•   You can’t count on perfection every time he’s out there in that role – and you don’t want to categorically rule out starting in the future – but Thompson’s just been so good at it so far in his career. Some guys are just at their best when they know they’re going only 40-ish pitches, one time through the order, and can let it all hang out. (Again, that’s a compliment: a lot of guys who have to move into relief can get their max stuff really for only one inning or about 20 pitches.)

•   Scott Effross cleaned up that 8th inning (after the HBP) with a strikeout, and then Ethan Roberts made his big league debut in the 9th. So the Cubs threw a four-pitcher shutout, and all four pitchers were entirely homegrown. That’s incredible, and certainly feels like one of those, “Oh, I think things might be a little different in the future?” situations. Not quite a flip of the switch, mind you, but this is a tease on what’s coming – and it’s something that we saw almost none of over the past decade.

•   On Roberts, by the way, you could tell his command wasn’t at its best (understandable, given the moment – good spot to get the debut out of the way). But the movement on his 94 mph cutting fastball is silly. And his sweeping slider might’ve moved 25 inches. It’s eye-popping stuff.

•   This is just so impressive for the Cubs, including only FOUR whiffs on pitches wholly out of the strike zone:

https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1512950799311253505

•   Seiya Suzuki was just feeling a kind and generous spirit yesterday. Not only did he give the Cubs three runs with his first three big league RBI, but he also cleaned up and brought treats:

•   By the way, that sac fly was a Barrel that on a windless day would’ve gone a lot further. Probably not out of the park, but maybe it’s to the wall and winds up extra bases. Pretty great contact for a two-strike situation where you’re trying to put the ball in play.

•   The Cubs actually had the only three Barrels in the game (that one, plus Willson Contreras and Patrick Wisdom), and all went for fly outs on a cold and windy April day at Wrigley Field. Many other days, the Wisdom fly out is a grand slam. Such is the nature of our beloved.

•   Through two games, Jason Heyward is certainly getting results. How much that matters remains to be seen, and I’m certainly not changing my position yet that he should not be primarily starting right now (and he shouldn’t squeeze anyone else off the roster). I’d be thrilled to be wrong.

•   This … should not be possible:

•   It was a VERY impressive day down on the farm yesterday for the Cubs, so make sure to check out Bryan’s write-up.

•   So close:

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.

more cubs news

Cardinals Reportedly Making All of Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Sonny Gray Available in Trade

With the St. Louis Cardinals' financial situation mucked up by the Bally/Diamond bankruptcy (and declines in attendance), and with a transition year ahead for the front office (from John Mozeliak to Chaim Bloom), we already know that some big moves...

The Cardinals’ Step Back Begins as They Decline Three Club Options

I don't think you forgot that the St. Louis Cardinals are undergoing all sorts of change at the moment. However, I do think it's become way too easy to lose sight of that fact - and why it's happening -...

Jed Hoyer Speaks: Improving “On the Margins,” Strong Second-Half Offense, Targeting Lefty Relievers, More

With the World Series behind us and the GM Meetings underway, comments from Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer have been captured in a handful of publications. You can and should check them all out in their entirety from...

Three Writers Predict Max Fried to the Cubs, and That Takes Me Back

Two years ago at this time, the biggest question on our offseason minds was which of the four top free agent shortstops the Chicago Cubs would be going after. Based on the circumstances, we knew with pretty firm clarity that...

Expect the Cubs to Rely on Internal Back-Up Plans at Second Base, If Necessary

No updated Nico Hoerner timeline here in this Athletic piece, though it is useful for the pretty strong implication that even if the Cubs sense the start of Hoerner's 2025 season will be delayed, they aren't going to go out...

GM Meetings Underway, Happy Happ and Bellinger, Bullpen, and Other Cubs Bullets

Officially one week post-surgery for the hernia, and I'll admit to some frustration. I still have pain, which is probably completely expected and normal, but I'd fooled myself into thinking this was going to go super quickly and easily since...

13 MLB Free Agents Receive Qualifying Offers

Today was the deadline to extend Qualifying Offers to outgoing free agents, and the following 13 free agents got the offer from their respective teams: SS Willy Adames, Brewers1B Pete Alonso, Mets3B Alex Bregman, AstrosRHP Corbin Burnes, OriolesLHP Max Fried,...

Cubs Roster Moves: Almonte, Bethancourt, Brewer, Paredes, Herget Off the 40-Man

Today, the Chicago Cubs opened up their four necessary 40-man roster spots by waiving relievers Yency Almonte, Colten Brewer, and Enoli Paredes, and catcher Christian Bethancourt. Each player cleared waivers and elected free agency. Meanwhile, in order to make room...

Cubs Claim Lefty Rob Zastryzny Off of Waivers

*cracks knuckles* *practices typing z-a-s-t-r-y-z-n-y again* Time to welcome back an old friend, as the Chicago Cubs are using today's rostering deadline to pick up a lefty off of waivers. Kinda sorta World Champion Rob Zastryzny is back: https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1853560486991933899 Zastryzny,...

Gerrit Cole is Sticking with the Yankees

UPDATE: A couple of days ago, Gerrit Cole opted out of his deal with the Yankees in hopes of getting them to pick up their additional option year for $36 million. If they didn't, Cole would have been allowed to...

Latest News

Ravens vs. Bengals Best Bets, Picks and Prediction – Nov. 7

The Baltimore Ravens (6-3) face a fellow AFC North opponent when they host the Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at M&T Bank Stadium, and if you're looking for best bets, we have them.Sign up for a Fubo...

The Bears Had *ANOTHER* Team Meeting (Because Of Course They Did!)

I don't know if the Chicago Bears have more team meetings than wins in 2024, but I feel as if we're getting dangerously close to that number. One week after the Bears felt the need to have a team meeting...

Utah vs. Colorado Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 16

The Utah Utes square off against a fellow Big 12 foe when they visit the No. 21 Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on Saturday, November 16, 2024.Hoping to attend this game in person? College football tickets are available on Vivid...

Pittsburgh vs. Clemson Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 16

The No. 23 Pittsburgh Panthers take on a conference opponent when they visit the No. 19 Clemson Tigers on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in an ACC battle.Looking to attend this game live? College football tickets are available...

Northwestern vs. Ohio State Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 16

The Northwestern Wildcats meet a conference opponent when they visit the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Wrigley Field in a Big Ten battle.Looking to attend this game in person? College football tickets are available...

Cerundolo vs. Safiullin Prediction at the Belgrade Open – Wednesday, November 6

On Wednesday, Roman Safiullin (No. 60 in the world) takes on Francisco Cerundolo (No. 29) in the Round of 16 at the Belgrade Open.Against the underdog Cerundolo (+135), Safiullin is favored (-175) to advance.Belgrade Open InfoTournament: The Belgrade OpenRound: Round...

Should the Bears Consider Trading Keenan Allen?

When the Chicago Bears traded for Keenan Allen back in March, I thought the team was acquiring a player who would help a rookie quarterback hit the ground running. Unfortunately, Allen has struggled to find his footing as a wide...

Bears Player Grades: Post All-22 Week 9 Player Re-Grades

After a week of hearing about the focus being on Arizona in the wake of the Fail Mary in Washington, Matt Eberflus and the Bears did their darndest to ensure that the Commanders' game wasn't the most embarrassing loss of...

Should I Consider an NFL Team’s ATS Record When Betting?

One of the most common metrics bettors will look at is a team’s Against the Spread or ATS record. But is it truly a reliable indicator of future performance? When it comes to NFL betting, there are a multitude of...

Michael Jordan Jersey Reaches Fourth-Highest Price Ever

Michael Jordan memorabilia remains arguably the hottest market in sports. One of the GOAT's recent game-worn jerseys from the 1996-97 season recently hit the auction block at Sotheby's. The jersey was worn in at least 17 games during the season,...

Clippers vs. 76ers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers (1-5) will try to stop a three-game losing streak when they hit the road to play the Los Angeles Clippers (3-4) on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Intuit Dome as only 1.5-point underdogs. The game airs at...

more cubs news