NEWSLETTER
The Cubs were inexplicably off yesterday for Labor Day, and I did not enjoy that. But they’re back in action this evening, with the first of three games against the Reds at Wrigley Field. Hayden Wesneski is in town for his Major League debut and Thursday’s game is going to be on YouTube.
After this, the Cubs will host the Giants for three games, before bouncing all over the country: They’ll fly to New York for three against the Mets, then back to Chicago for three against the Rockies, then back to the coast for three against the Marlins, the up north for four against the Pirates, then back home again! That’s a lot of travel!
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (56-78) have lost eight of their last ten games, and are two games “behind” the Cinncinati Reds (53-79) in the reverse standings. Although I’m always rooting for them to win, especially against the Cardinals and Brewers, it would probably be wise not to do too much winning this week. The difference in lottery odds between finishing 5th (10%) and 8th (3.9%) worst is enormous.
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
It was another good series for Seiya Suzuki, whose last 104 PAs amount to a .301/.375/.430 (128 wRC+) slash line. The power is still trailing, but his strikeout rate is down to 15.4% during that stretch, which is excellent. He’s still making plenty of hard contact too. Just a really nice period for him. Love the adjustments.
Ian Happ is also finishing strong, with a .284/.324/.549 (141 wRC+) slash line since August 8. The power has come back big time, albeit at the expense of a few more strikeouts (25%). Still, his overall season numbers remain in the All-Star range: 125 wRC+, 3.2 WAR, 15 HRs, and 36(!) doubles, which is tied for 7th most in MLB.
Nick Madrigal’s production has started to wane. He had been getting excellent results since returning from the IL on August 4 (100 PAs), and he’s still hitting for average and getting on base, but the .326 slugging percentage is just far too low. He’s at just a 101 wRC+ during this period.
Either way, Hayden Wesneski is going to be the player to watch this week. Wesneski, 24, is one of the Cubs top pitching prospects (acquired in the Scott Effross trade), and he’s finally get his number called.
Game Times and Broadcast Info
Pitching Probables
Game 1: Justin Dunn (RHP) vs. Wade Miley (LHP)
Game 2: Mike Minor (LHP) vs. Javier Assad (RHP)
Game 3: Luis Cessa (RHP) vs. Adrian Sampson (RHP)
Chicago Cubs:
Injured/Unavailable: Patrick Wisdom, Keegan Thompson, Steven Brault, Justin Steele, Adbert Alzolay, Codi Heuer, Michael Hermosillo, Ethan Roberts, Jason Heyward, Alec Mills, Kyle Hendricks, Brad Wieck
Cincinnati Reds:
Injured/Unavailable: Albert Almora Jr., Matt Reynolds, Hunter Greene, Robert Dugger, Graham Ashcraft, T.J. Zeuch, Tejay Antone, Daniel Duarte, Connor Overton, Justin Wilson, Tony Santillan, Lucas Sims, Vladimir Gutierrez, Aramis Garcia, Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Stephenson, Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas
By the Numbers
Run Differential:
Cubs: -101
Reds: -109
Runs Scored Per Game:
Cubs: 4.08
Reds: 4.28
Runs Allowed Per Game:
Cubs: 4.84
Reds: 5.11
