On the one hand, it’s cool to see a top pitching prospect in a game that you’re already watching and passionate about.
On the other hand, I absolutely do not want this for the Cubs:
That’s top pitching prospect Paul Skenes – he’s actually more like the top pitching prospect in several years – coming up for the Pirates to make his big league debut on Saturday against the Cubs. Cool. Neat.
So the Cubs will be facing Dylan Cease, Skenes, and Jared Jones, the other super dominant young Pirates starter, all within a matter of days. Then they go to Atlanta for three, and then they are likely to get Skenes and Jones AGAIN immediately thereafter, and then they play the Braves AGAIN immediately thereafter.
That is to say, what’s coming is an extremely difficult stretch of games for the Cubs, and a lot of it will probably involve the offense being challenged by outstanding pitchers. Brace yourself accordingly.
OR! The Cubs will really break out, will win more than they lose during this stretch, and we will be both extremely happy and extremely impressed! It really could happen! At least Cody Bellinger is now back, and Seiya Suzuki is almost back!