Experiencing Bullpen Problems, Suzuki Swings, Trout and Happ, Rising Dread, and Other Cubs Bullets

The smoke/air quality stuff from the Canadian wildfires is crazy. When I went out yesterday afternoon to run some errands with the kids, I noticed an unusual haze in our area (central Ohio). I was aware of the stuff in New York because of the Yankees-White Sox game, but I figured there was no way it could be from the same wildfires. Turns out it was.

  • For just about a decade, the Cubs have always – always – had a solid bullpen sorted out by the end of May. The personnel didn’t matter. Not the pitchers. Not even the coaching staff. It just always seemed to work out, and it felt like one secret sauce that the Theo Epstein-Jed Hoyer front office tree in Chicago could always do. This year, as of June 8, the bullpen has absolutely not come together, and I’m like … oh … this is what that feels like? It really sucks.
  • Speaking of which, I forgot to add a name to the group of mostly-home-grown relievers who were expected to be fine or better this year, but who have been a disaster: Rowan Wick. His disappearance happened even earlier than that of Keegan Thompson, Brandon Hughes, and Jeremiah Estrada, so he was completely off my radar. When you have four guys looking ROUGH who you were counting on to be reliable, internal, optionable arms, you’re going to have a serious problem in your bullpen. And that doesn’t factor in the two main veteran free agent additions – Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger – ALSO being disasters so far in their own ways. What looked like such a deep, bright spot on paper in March has become an absolute anchor on this team. As fans, we had been spared for years what it actually felt like to live the whole “relievers are volatile year to year” thing, and this year we’re getting it in spades.
  • It didn’t work out, but it was nice to see Seiya Suzuki finally swing at a meatball first pitch fastball down the middle last night. It was anecdotal at the time, because I hadn’t looked it up, but it felt like Suzuki NEVER swung at the first pitch, no matter how juicy. Turns out, he swings at the first pitch 10.7% of the time … the lowest mark in the National League. Even conservative batters are usually closer to 20%. That isn’t to say Suzuki is all the way wrong for doing it this way – some guys just need to see a pitch to get settled in – but it’s a clear tendency that has become too easy to exploit. He’s gotta go up there ready for a fastball in a particular zone. And if he gets that specific pitch, he needs to swing every time, first pitch or otherwise.
  • Interesting point here from Trey Mancini about the feedback loop that can come from not getting results:
  • I am reminded of the 110 mph rocket that Matt Mervis hit last night, after striking out the at bat before, which wound up right at the right fielder. Mervis did exactly what you want to do: barrel the ball. Didn’t get results. But that happens, because you can’t control that part. You can control only what you do at the plate, and in that particular at bat, he DID DO the good thing. I just hated that the outcome wasn’t there for Mervis, because I do worry that it’s all starting to get into his head.
  • Speaking of good at bats that don’t get results, Ian Happ hit on 398 feet to the top of the center field wall last night, but Mike Trout reached up and caught it. Statcast listed it as one that would’ve left three ballparks, one of which was Angel Stadium! So I guess that means it counts as a home run robbery for Trout? On replay it’s a little hard to tell if it would’ve gone over, largely because Trout is so dang casual with the catch:
  • Naturally, Trout immediately followed with a home run of his own – AVOIDING LEFT FIELD LIKE A COWARD SO IAN HAPP COULDN’T ROB HIM RIGHT BACK. Trout’s homer only went 388 feet because baseball shall do its thing whether you like it or not.
  • Marcus Stroman’s public support for the LGBTQ+ community – in both statement and in financial support – gets a very nice write-up in the Tribune.
  • It includes these spot-on thoughts from Nico Hoerner, who had re-shared Stroman’s statement on his own Instagram: “Baseball is a game that should be for everybody to enjoy,” Hoerner told the Tribune. “It’s a space that I hope is open to all types of people. I don’t think me sharing anything is that big of a statement, but if there is an opportunity for a fan out there to feel like they’re included and appreciated in our game, that’s significant. It’s kind of a no-brainer for me, but I know there’s been some controversy lately with the stuff in LA. I just hope that baseball feels like a game that’s approachable for all types of people.”
  • The building of dread and disappointment was gradual and then explosive:
  • Fingers crossed on the “precautionary” thing, with a reminder that the Injured List is used much more liberally in the minor leagues than in the big leagues:
  • A 458-foot TITANIC blast for Elly De La Cruz in his second big league game:
  • He also tripled, while setting a season best speed mark in the process:
  • This guy is gonna be a problem for Cubs fans for a long time, isn’t he? Also, the Reds walked off the Dodgers for the second straight night and are extremely feeling themselves:
  • A very nice read on the man who made the splitter a household pitch:
  • 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

    Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

    Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

    I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

    Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

    New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

    Los Angeles Dodgers Signing Will Smith to a TEN-YEAR Extension

    The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. And by it, I mean they have signed a funkily-structured contract that is going to leave some folks annoyed. The Dodgers are extending catcher Will Smith on a DECADE-long deal with a...

    The Stretch: 2024 MLB Season Preview

    On Monday, during a team-building conversation with some of the Bleacher Nation and Betsperts Media Group folks, we discussed sports—shocking, I know—and Brian Twining asked the group what their favorite sport was. For me, it's baseball. There's no debate. I...

    We Have to Talk About Some of the “Deals” the Cubs Sat Out in Free Agency

    This week, in a conversation with Jon Greenberg at The Athletic, Cubs President Jed Hoyer made an honest and sober (but also moderately disappointing) admission about the 2024 Chicago Cubs: "We need to perform probably at or a little bit...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Reportedly Now Worth Over $5 Billion

    Given all the tumult in the baseball broadcasting world, and the uncertain future for that portion of revenues, you'd be forgiven for expecting that MLB franchise valuations would slow their recent surge. But, according to Sportico at least, you'd be...

    Reds Second Baseman Matt McLain Had Shoulder Surgery

    The injury to Matt McLain's shoulder issue obviously wound up being worse than he and the Cincinnati Reds had been hoping. The damage to his left (non-throwing) labrum ultimately required surgery: https://twitter.com/m_sheldon/status/1772993402604339478 When the hope is that a guy can...

    Cubs Actually Getting a Whole Lot of Votes to Win the NL Central

    ESPN dropped its big season preview, and included were a set of divisional predictions by way of their writers, editors, and analysts voting. There's nothing in the way of proof or certainty there, but with 26 voters, I do like...

    Latest News

    Orioles vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Baltimore Orioles (0-0) open their 2024 season with a home game against the Los Angeles Angels (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The Orioles will call on Corbin Burnes versus the Angels and Patrick Sandoval.Orioles vs....

    Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM...

    Celtics vs. Hawks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The contest airs at 7:30 PM...

    Bucks vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) are only 2-point underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game begins at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The matchup's point total is 223.If you are...

    How to Watch Indiana State Sycamores vs. Utah Utes: Live Stream or on TV

    The Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) will attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Utah Utes (22-14) on April 2, 2024. The Utes have also won three games in a row.Indiana State won its most recent...

    How to Watch Seton Hall Pirates vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Live Stream or on TV

    The Seton Hall Pirates (23-12) will attempt to extend a three-game win streak when they host the Georgia Bulldogs (20-16) on April 2, 2024. The Bulldogs have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Seton Hall beat...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by Corbin Carroll, take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies in their first game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    Luis Castillo will take the ball for the Seattle Mariners when they square off against starting pitcher Brayan Bello and the Boston Red Sox in their season opener on Thursday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.The article below will...

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

    The Cleveland Guardians, led by Jose Ramirez, square off against Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics in their first game of the season, at 10:07 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

    Senators vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The bookmakers give the edge to the Ottawa Senators on home ice (-198) over the Chicago Blackhawks (+164) when they face off on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 PM ET.Senators vs. Blackhawks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Senators (-198)Underdog: Blackhawks (+164)Total: 6.5Best...

    more cubs news