Competing with the Best, Stroman’s Uncharacteristic (But Historic) Outing, Rotation Ahead, Sticky Stuff, and Other Cubs Bullets

With every new episode of ‘Succession,’ I feel more and more somber that the show is ending this year. It’s like the few great athletes who TRULY go out on top, seemingly knowing full well that they have many more productive years ahead of them if they wanted.

  • I think there are a number of ways to think about that Dodgers series, almost so you can reverse engineer your feelings. You could frame it as the Cubs’ first series loss since the very first series of the year. Or you could say that a 3-1 series loss is worse than a 2-1 series loss. You could chunk the recent stretch of games and say the Cubs went 6-4 against the Dodgers and A’s, with 7 of those games coming against the Dodgers. Or you could say went 3-4 against the Dodgers.
  • That last one is probably how I’d do it, because it feels like the most accurate summation of what those twin series were: the Cubs were clearly competitive with the Dodgers – these are not two rosters that are in totally different universes (anymore) – but the Dodgers did just a bit more to win. So taking the seven-game set by a game sounds about right. I don’t feel great about it, but I also don’t feel particularly bad about it. There isn’t much time to feel bad anyway, as the Cubs now have the Padres – another supposed-to-be-juggernaut that hasn’t quite clicked yet – coming to town on Tuesday.
  • Speaking of that series, the Cubs are indeed using today’s off-day to skip the Jameson Taillon spot in the rotation. So it’ll be Justin Steele, Drew Smyly, and Hayden Wesneski for the Padres series. Marcus Stroman figures to then go on Friday, at which point the Cubs would finally need another starter on Saturday. That spot is still TBA, though we know it can’t be Javier Assad (unless he comes back up replacing someone who is going on the IL, he cannot return for 15 days from the date he was optioned).
  • Having been nearly perfect through his first four starts (and with a streak of quality starts that went back into last season), it was only a matter of time before Marcus Stroman had a rough outing. The Dodgers gave it to him, primarily by way of three home runs, two of which came in the 6th inning and ended his day and gave up the lead. You have to go all the way back to June 3 of last year for the last time Stroman gave up three homers in a start.
  • Stroman always has the bigger picture attitude in mind:
  • Stroman added that the Cubs came away from the series feeling like they could compete with the Dodgers (Sun-Times): “We know we can compete with them every day. We don’t feel we’re way behind them. We performed well out there, and a few of these past games could have went our way and didn’t. But we’re right there with them. We think we can compete with anyone in the league. There’s no one we’re looking up to. It’s reassuring to know we’re right where we need to be.”
  • Congrats to Stroman, by the way, on notching career strikeout number 1,000 in the game:
  • Not sure yet what to make of this number, save perhaps for the fact that it’s just small sample noise:
  • It’s not as if the Cubs are a lineup of hulking sluggers who swing for the fences even with two strikes; they do a great job of putting the ball in play with two strikes, though, so maybe that’s what is floating their slugging in those situations? Are they particularly good at hitting the ball with authority in two-strike counts, or is this the kind of thing where a few fortuitous doubles could skew the numbers?
  • So, David Cone showed on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball just how sticky you can make rosin, especially if you use rubbing alcohol (as Max Scherzer did, which he said was under the supervision of an MLB official). It becomes incredibly sticky:
  • So the next set of questions will obviously have to do with whether Scherzer honestly thought alcohol was the best way to clean his hands, or whether he knew and intended that it would make his hand even stickier. But I mean, if his fingers felt like what Cone’s look like in that video, how on earth would he think he could pass an inspection? Especially knowing – as we do now – that players were told they couldn’t apply rosin in between innings?
  • Really bad news for the Angels and their young catcher:
  • 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

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

    What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

    CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

    So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

    Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

    Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

    With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

    Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

    Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

    Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

    Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

    Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

    It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

    In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

    Latest News

    Golden Knights vs. Stars NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Saturday, April 27, 2024

    The Vegas Golden Knights meet the Dallas Stars on Saturday and are -120 on the moneyline, with the latter at +100.Golden Knights vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Golden Knights (-120)Underdog: Stars (+100)Total: 6Best Golden Knights vs. Stars Promo Codes[lasso type="table"...

    Guardians vs. Red Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Thursday, Josh Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians (17-7) play Tyler O'Neill and the Boston Red Sox (14-11), with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM ET at Progressive Field.See how to watch the Cleveland-Boston matchup below.When is Guardians vs. Red...

    Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 4 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Saturday, April 27, 2024

    The Toronto Maple Leafs are -112 on the moneyline against the Boston Bruins (-108) on Saturday, with this tight-looking matchup being played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple Leafs (-112)Underdog: Bruins (-108)Total: 6Best Maple...

    Mariners vs. Rangers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Seattle Mariners (12-12), led by Caleb Raleigh, visit Adolis Garcia and the Texas Rangers (13-12) on Thursday at 2:35 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Seattle take on Texas live.When is Mariners...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    The San Diego Padres (13-13), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, visit the Colorado Rockies (6-18) who will counter with Dakota Hudson, at 3:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming...

    2024 Las Vegas Raiders Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle & Cornerback

    The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...

    Twins vs. White Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Thursday, going for a series sweep, Ryan Jeffers and the Minnesota Twins (10-13) face the Chicago White Sox (3-21), with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM ET at Target Field.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...

    How to Watch Astros vs. Cubs: Live Stream or on TV

    Justin Verlander takes the mound for the Houston Astros (7-18) when they visit starter Javier Assad and the Chicago Cubs (15-9) at 2:20 PM ET on Thursday.See how to watch the Houston-Chicago matchup below.When is Astros vs. Cubs and when...

    Royals vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Salvador Perez and the Kansas City Royals (15-10) host Daulton Varsho and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12) on Thursday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.See how to watch the Kansas City-Toronto matchup below.When is Royals vs. Blue Jays and...

    Yankees vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Thursday, Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (17-8) play Abraham Toro and the Oakland Athletics (9-16), with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium.The article below will give you everything you need to watch New...

    more cubs news