I am testing out a new monitor to see if this is better for my posture, and I am typing this very sentence as I do. Instant reaction is that, yes, having a screen up higher in front of my face is much better for my back and neck than hunching over like I usually do, but adjusting my brain to the different eye-level and screen appearance/size is really messing with me and slowing me down. I’m going to assume I’ll adjust in time, but at the moment it feels like I’m having to trade posture for productivity.
Vertical Approach Angle – a favorite under-the-hood topic of Bryan’s – is going mainstream thanks to Cristian Javier:
“An absolute kangaroo of a fastball.”
On the night of a World Series no-hitter, no pitch stood out like Cristian Javier’s fastball. How, at just 94 mph, is it so good. Free and unlocked at ESPN, a story that explains the best pitch this postseason: https://t.co/nZ2O6nsvOLpic.twitter.com/pfQHSrIvc5— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 3, 2022
A very low VAA can give the batter an illusion that the fastball is rising as it reaches him, and it allows even lower-velocity pitchers to work at the top of the strike zone without fear.
Random factoid about this year’s World Series so far, which would make you think it hasn’t been competitive, but it definitely hasn’t felt that way:
OK then. Make it 4 games in a row.
It's the first World Series in history in which a team led, 5-0, or more in 4 straight games.
Not just in the first 4 games. Any 4 games in a row.
I’m gonna have to give this a full listen today, because Jason Heyward sure is right about this one (did we have it confirmed that it was a squeeze call and not just Javy doing it on his own? Because if not, now we have it confirmed):
On the anniversary of the Cubs winning the World Series, Jason Heyward reminisced with @WaddleandSilvy and @TWaddle87 on one of the pivotal moments in Game 7 that he disagreed with Joe Maddon on
This is about a football trade/rumor situation, but I think it’s so compelling – and plausibly applicable across professional sports – that I wanted to share it here:
The #Bills did have trade conversations with Carolina regarding Christian McCaffrey.
They did not with New Orleans about Alvin Kamara.
Here's GM Brandon Beane explaining the trade process in general, with specifics regarding both of those situations. pic.twitter.com/7NEFSetaqm— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) November 2, 2022
That’s some unbelievably candid discussion on how a trade rumor can be both true and also not exactly true, and I’m not sure we would EVER hear a baseball executive lay it out like that. I find it fascinating that Beane confirms the Bills would monitor news and rumors, and then lower-level guys would be empowered, on their own, to check in with a counterpart on another team just to see if the reporting is accurate – hey, I see that maybe you are thinking about listening on this guy, is that true? In a way, though, it makes sense. “Teams” don’t do things. Humans do. So, in all practical effect, there is going to be news monitoring and then there are going to be side conversations and check-ins and hypotheticals and what-have-you, and I think a LOT of that is happening all the time, without actually leading to a transaction. All worth keeping in mind as we head into the baseball offseason.
The New York Mets are planning to look for a president to replace Sandy Alderson, but what remains unclear is whether they’re looking for someone to be a true president of baseball operations, and basically go on top of GM Billy Eppler, who was otherwise running baseball ops over the last year. When David Stearns stepped down from the Brewers last week, everyone figured it was to be with the Mets, though that hasn’t happened yet (since he’s under contract, it would have to involve some compensation – maybe that’s being negotiated behind the scenes?). Anyway, because of all that, this is awkward:
Mets GM Billy Eppler joined The Show with @JoelSherman1 & @JonHeyman. Eppler discusses the team not going for David Stearns this offseason…and being the voice of baseball operations.
One thing it made me think about: let’s say, going back to the Trade Deadline, both Eppler and Steve Cohen knew that Alderson was going to step down, and that a new president was coming. Any chance Cohen would’ve strongly urged that Eppler NOT trade away any long-term pieces, since those decisions might be better left to the future president? If so, that would still seem a cowardly – and bad – decision, since you can’t count on next year being another 100+ win team.
Speaking of Mets not being able to count on a 2022 repeat, they got a historic season from Edwin Diaz, who is now a free agent:
Edwin Díaz got swinging strikes on almost 𝟮𝟲% of his pitches this season! It is the highest such rate of any pitcher in a single season since 1988 when they started recording this info… 🤯 https://t.co/BLDNGxltPU— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) November 1, 2022
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.
The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...
Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...
The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...
If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...
Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...
As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...
Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...
Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...
Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...
Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....
The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...
The Chicago Cubs (11-7) are set to take on the Miami Marlins (4-15) Friday at 2:20 PM ET, airing on BSFL. The Cubs are listed as -165 favorites by oddsmakers, while the underdog Marlins have +139 odds for the contest.Jameson...
In one of the 15 exciting matchups on the MLB schedule today, the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals take the field at Kauffman Stadium.MLB prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a...
The Miami Marlins (4-15) kick off a four-game series on Friday against the Chicago Cubs (11-7). The contest starts at 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field.The Cubs will give the ball to Jameson Taillon and the Marlins will turn to...
The Cincinnati Reds (9-9), led by Spencer Steer, host Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) at 6:40 PM ET on Friday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Cincinnati-Los Angeles...
The Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans take the court to start the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Kings are favored by 1.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 9:30 PM ET. The over/under...
The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...
It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...
The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...
The Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8), led by Bryan Reynolds, host Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) at 6:40 PM ET on Friday in a series opener.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options...
NEWSLETTER
