IST: Chicago Cubs (23-17) at Arizona D-Backs (19-21)

[chibears55]

The Cubs pen can't hold the lead. I wish I could say I was surprised

Surprise when it Grimm Strop or Rondon

Everybody else not....

 

[TL1961]

I know sometimes it seems worse than it actually is, but it seems if our hr hitter bats 4th down 2, we can't get a guy on (because the first three guys swing for a solo hr).
But up 2, 2 out nobody on, we manage to allow a runner ahesd of a hr hitter.
Frustrating.

 

[theberserkfury]

Did anyone else feel like Lake initially took a bad angle on that Pollock double?

Not that that would excuse Rondon for serving that up for Goldschmidt... but kinda looked like Junior could have ended the game right there had he broken on the ball properly.

 

[FrankieLyrical]

Let's go Addy! Rip one into the gap

 

[FrankieLyrical]

Or ground into a double play

 

[Ari Bear]

Could Russell ran any slower down to first??

 

[Ari Bear]

What is everyone passed out?

 

[JZsportsfan]

Sad loss

 

[chibears55]

Eventually Lester gonna realize having Ross in the lineup hurts him more then helps..

They get a little rally going and then Ross and Lester comes up and kills it cause their automatic outs..

 

[SilenceS]

Thats on Rondon. You got 2 outs and you allow a double and a homer. How do you throw a ball right down the middle on a 2-2 pitch to Paul freaking Goldschmidt. I mean it was right down the middle and belt high. The fastball ran on Rondon. I just watched replay's. I didn't like the way Montero wasn't even setup when he threw the pitch. No target and was moving away from the middle of the plate. I don't know if Rondon rushed the pitch, but let your catcher give the target cause technically you threw it right to him.

 

[Zvbxrpl]

I passed out thinking it was 4-2.....

Rondon you rat ****......

 

[SilenceS]

I passed out thinking it was 4-2.....

Rondon you rat ****......

Yea, it was an abortion. I still miss Neil Ramirez.

 

[Mr. Cub]

I think by the time we actually get a reliable blowpen, is the same time that we have no offense.... Because Bryant, Rizzo, Castro, Soler will all be retired. This shit is getting ridiculous.

 

[ChicagoBornCalifLiving]

I think by the time we actually get a reliable blowpen, is the same time that we have no offense.... Because Bryant, Rizzo, Castro, Soler will all be retired. This shit is getting ridiculous.

Agree, we need to do something about the BP if we are going to compete and make a run at the playoffs. We also need to start hitting a hell of a lot better with RISP. We are second to last in the NL with a .222 avg. and lead the majors in strikeouts with RISP. I know a lot of that is on the young guys who are growing into facing major league pitching but hopefully they get better at it sooner than later.

 

[beckdawg]

I think by the time we actually get a reliable blowpen, is the same time that we have no offense.... Because Bryant, Rizzo, Castro, Soler will all be retired. This shit is getting ridiculous.

It's not as big a deal as people make it. Cubs are 22nd in the league in reliever ERA(4.24). They've given up 59 earned and another 3 unearned in 125.1 IP. However, a lot of that is on Coke, Schlitter, and Germen. They account for 18 earned in 22.2. Those three are obviously no longer with the team so if you remove them from the bullpen you're talking about 41 earned in 102.2 IP or a 3.59 ERA. That alone would push them to 16th.

I still think Motte is a problem personally. Strop's walk issue makes it hard for me to trust him but he can be lights out when on. Grimm being back makes a huge difference. He's yet to give up a run in 5.2 IP. Wood also hasn't given up a run in 2 IP. I think when Ramirez returns you'll see the bullpen solidify some. Assuming Wood keeps pitching well you will have Wood, Grimm, Ramirez and Russell as solid options. Rondon has had a couple of hiccups here and there but overall hasn't been bad. They likely will set up Ramirez, Strop and Rondon as 7th-9th and the other inning options are starting to be more appealing though until they finally do something with Jackson he's kind of an anchor lying around. They probably still need to add another bullpen guy near the deadline but I honestly don't think the situation is all dire as some would have you believe. A lot of it had to do with early season Wood and Hendricks not pitching into the 6th leaving guys like Germen and Schlitter pitching innings in the 6th.

 

[Diehardfan]

I question the fat fastball when you got first base open...okay, I know it puts the tying run on if you walk him but Goldy is their best hitter. I also agree with an earlier post about Lake in left...I thought that was a catchable ball that was complicated by a bad angle and a bad jump. Tough to give one away when its 2 outs and nobody on.

 

[CSF77]

It's not as big a deal as people make it. Cubs are 22nd in the league in reliever ERA(4.24). They've given up 59 earned and another 3 unearned in 125.1 IP. However, a lot of that is on Coke, Schlitter, and Germen. They account for 18 earned in 22.2. Those three are obviously no longer with the team so if you remove them from the bullpen you're talking about 41 earned in 102.2 IP or a 3.59 ERA. That alone would push them to 16th.

I still think Motte is a problem personally. Strop's walk issue makes it hard for me to trust him but he can be lights out when on. Grimm being back makes a huge difference. He's yet to give up a run in 5.2 IP. Wood also hasn't given up a run in 2 IP. I think when Ramirez returns you'll see the bullpen solidify some. Assuming Wood keeps pitching well you will have Wood, Grimm, Ramirez and Russell as solid options. Rondon has had a couple of hiccups here and there but overall hasn't been bad. They likely will set up Ramirez, Strop and Rondon as 7th-9th and the other inning options are starting to be more appealing though until they finally do something with Jackson he's kind of an anchor lying around. They probably still need to add another bullpen guy near the deadline but I honestly don't think the situation is all dire as some would have you believe. A lot of it had to do with early season Wood and Hendricks not pitching into the 6th leaving guys like Germen and Schlitter pitching innings in the 6th.

Fip:
Grimm: 2.42
Russell: 2.66
Strop: 2.92
Jackson: 3.12
Rondon: 3.39
Wood: 4.12 (as reliever)
Rosscup: 4.32
Motte: 4.84

Motte is on the bubble when Ramirez gets back. About the only thing I see changing anytime soon.

 

[CSF77]

Rosscup: VS LH: FIP: 1.86 RH: 5.83. This one is on Maddon as his numbers are screaming LH spec. But he has gotten 10.1 IP vs RH batters and 6.1 vs LH. AVG LH: 0.95 VS RH: .296 So his numbers are suggesting miss use vs being bad. In reality if he was being used as a LH spec only he would be right up with Grimm and Russell.

Motte: RH: .239 (4.41 FIP) LH: .263 (5.91) He is just bad in general.

Jackson: LH: .105 3.87 FIP RH: .346 2.37 Fip His numbers really don't seem right . 5.1 IP vs both...weird. He has given up 0 HR's so not really getting it with him.

 

[chibears55]

Cardinals lose again..
Cubs need to start taking advantage

 

[chibears55]

Why does it seem like when they get goid starts/wins from the 4/5 spot.. they lose with lester and Arrieta afterwards

Come on..