Schwisdom Heroics, Contreras Hamstring, Thompson Contact, Prior Memories, and Other Cubs Bullets

I don’t really mind mowing the lawn, but I do mind having to think about the weather schedule’s relationship to when I am going to be able to/need to mow.

•   Not unlike the Christopher Morel debut homer last week, the late Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel homers yesterday felt like one of those moments we deserved as a temporary salve to the pain that accompanies a season that is highly unlikely to bring you 85+ wins. We probably won’t see the Cubs in a divisional or Wild Card race, but I’m not here to concede that it makes the entire 2022 season meritless from a fan perspective. It’s not even just player development and trades and the future and all that. It’s moments like yesterday. I like to like enjoying what I like. And I liked yesterday.

•   Absolutely incredible comeback here from Schwindel after trailing for the entire race:

•   Just pals bein’ guys bein’ friends:

•   After yesterday’s heroics, Schwindel’s season numbers are still not good (.226/.269/.358/78 wRC+), but if you want to be really generous and optimistic, you say that after Schwindel missed that would-have-been-game-winning-grand-slam in San Diego, he’s hit .286/.333/.500/135 wRC+ over 45 plate appearances. He isn’t striking out during that time, he’s hitting it a lot harder, and he’s making a lot more contact in the zone. From David Ross (Cubs.com): “Everything has gone back up. [He’s] hitting the ball hard, taking his walks, and it looks like his timing is there. He’s doing a really nice job in the box for us, swinging the bat well.”

•   If you were looking for worrying signs, you’d point out that he’s swinging outside the zone even MORE than usual (which was already a ton) during this stretch, and swinging in the zone even less. To be sure, Schwindel had that funky combo last year when he was raking, so it’s clearly a part of his style. But generally speaking, it doesn’t pair with long-term offensive success.

•   As for Wisdom, he’s back up to positive territory on the wRC+ side (114, or 14% better than league average), despite his uncommonly Wisdom-like slash line: .219/.279/.492. The total package still plays as long as there is quality defense at third base, but we’ve seen a continuation of his specific issue from last year (if a pitcher has even a modestly decent fastball that he can elevate, Wisdom has no prayer). Don’t get me wrong: I’m not at all disappointed with what Wisdom has been this year, I’m saying only that I don’t think there’s another level in there at age 31/32.

•   The news on Willson Contreras’s hamstring was a so-far-so-good situation (thus not placing him on the IL just yet), as neither he nor David Ross are expecting it to be too long that he’s out (NBC). Contreras may have saved himself a serious injury by pulling himself relatively early. Heck, even if he did have to miss 10 days for a minimum IL stint, I’d consider that a huge win when talking about a hamstring. We’ll see if he’s back in there by tomorrow or Wednesday (which is when the Cubs would get past the point of backdating).

•   Just one pitcher in all of baseball (Zach Eflin) is generating more soft contact than Keegan Thompson’s 30.3% (he’s also the 6th least hard contact). Thompson closed down yesterday’s game in relief of Wade Miley, and continues to be excellent this year in that role (even if he was also starting to looking mighty intriguing in his starts). Eflin, by the way, seems to have an extremely unlucky 3.65 ERA, because he’s doing everything well. The 28-year-old righty is a free agent after this season …

•   Getting tired of Seiya Suzuki’s strike zone suddenly including multiple inches all around the zone:

•   I’d missed this anniversary before the Bullets yesterday, but man, that was such a biggy:

•   I’m not sure there was a more hyped prospect debut in my Cubs fan life. Kris Bryant would probably be closest, and my memory is that it wasn’t all that close. And then for Prior to live up to the hype that day? To deliver on it like that? Just ridiculous.

•   This is just lovely and sweet:

•   If you’ve been looking to get an enormous TV on the cheap, Amazon’s got a giant 4K one for 750 bucks. #ad

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

Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (12:35 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

Kyle Hendricks Will Start for the Big League Cubs Tomorrow

The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 10, Cubs 9 – May 11, 2024

The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (3:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...

Oh, Good, Yency Almonte is Now Also Hurt

Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...

Credit to Assad, Huge Ups to Brown, Hopes for Taillon, Happ’s Bat and Glove, Bellinger History, and Other Cubs Bullets

How did I not know that the Aurora Borealis was going to be visible last night?!?!? I woke up this morning to all these awesome pictures from friends and other people in the area, and I'm MISERABLE ABOUT IT. With...

24 Years Ago Today, Glenallen Hill Hit a Home Run ONTO a Wrigley Field Rooftop

In 2015, Kyle Schwarber hit a monster home run onto the top of the right field scoreboard at Wrigley Field, where it stayed for the remainder of the postseason. Watching the game live, I remember thinking "Dang, he got all...

Latest News

Nikola Jokic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

At 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Nikola Jokic needing two trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Nikola Jokic's Three-Pointer Prop...

Michael Porter Jr. Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

At 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Denver Nuggets versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Michael Porter Jr. needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Michael Porter Jr.'s...

Anthony Edwards Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Nuggets – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

At 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets, with Anthony Edwards needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Anthony Edwards' Three-Pointer Prop...

Jamal Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

Jamal Murray needs to make two 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Denver Nuggets face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at 8:00 PM ET, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.Jamal Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Karl-Anthony Towns Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Nuggets – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

At 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets, with Karl-Anthony Towns needing two treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Karl-Anthony Towns' Three-Pointer Prop...

Top Player Prop Bets for Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 12, 2024

Player prop betting options for Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jokic and others are available in the Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets matchup at Target Center on Sunday (starting at 8:00 PM ET).How to Watch Timberwolves vs. NuggetsDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 8:00 PM...

Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

Braves vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

The Atlanta Braves (24-12) visit the New York Mets (18-20) at 7:10 PM ET Sunday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Marcell Ozuna has racked up 12 homers this season (No. 1 in...

more cubs news