And that’s a wrap on the 2024 season. The Cubs largely ran it back, and they … uh, ran it back. 83-79. The exact same middling record as last season. Got there in different ways, of course, but the record is the record, and this one looks familiar. Much more to say on the season in the days ahead.
As for today’s game, there wasn’t a whole lot of thrill to it, going 0-0 into extra innings. Ethan Roberts then allowed a trio of runs in the top of the 10th (despite picking off the free baserunner to open the inning), and that was that.
There’s a long-standing warning about taking too much away from September games between teams out of the race, but that doesn’t mean you take away absolutely zero. Caleb Kilian improved his deception today (that is to say, I could not call from home what he was about to throw like I could last time out), got 7 whiffs, and generated greatly improved contact quality. I think there are still some pretty obvious command issues (he’s got the unusual distinction of having relatively large command issues but pretty small or no control issues), but I still buy him as a 7th/8th optionable starter next year, or a guy who gets a real shot at a bullpen role.
Speaking of guys who are pretty safely in the up-down, depth-type, bullpen-type mix for next season, Hayden Wesneski finished his season with a really strong outing. He’s going to finish the season with a 3.86 ERA (just a touch better than league average) over 67.2 innings, and although you’re not saying that’s huge contributor, I will say that when it’s coming from a pre-arb guy who can be optioned up and down, and who pitched in and out of the rotation, it’s a pretty solid overall year.
Tough moment for Keegan Thompson on the final day of the season:
I guess you gotta go Caleb Kilian for the final Ankin Law โMaking it Personalโ Player of the Game, though Michael Busch gets a shout for pulling off the opposite of the golden sombrero (four walks).