IST: Chicago Cubs (3-2) hosting Cincinnati Reds (4-2)

[JZsportsfan]

Great win

This is why Travis Wood was the right choice. He has the stuff to shut down a team every once in awhile. Hopefully he can learn to become a little more consistent

None the less good win

Hope Ramirez is ok

 

[beckdawg]

Funny, of the 3 cubs starters this series, the one we thought would get roughed up ended up the best of the 3..

Wood had a pretty good start to last year and obviously was fantastic in 2013. There's the giant elephant in the room of the rest of last year but he obviously can pitch well at times.

 

[CSF77]

I'd honestly be surprised if Alcantara were on the chopping block. I mean clearly I'm a bit biased toward him. Obviously from an average stand point he's struggled. However, he is still putting in solid at bats and even if he weren't he's arguably the best bench player the cubs have with his versatility and speed. No way I see them sending him down. It's also a bonus that he switch hits.

I think you'd see Olt sent down before you'd see Alcantara if they intend to play Bryant at 3B. If they play him in LF then it would be Szcur. Rosscup is the place holder for La Stella obviously.

By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com | @CarrieMuskat | 6:59 PM ET + 0 COMMENTS
CHICAGO -- Outfielder Chris Coghlan took grounders at second base and catcher Welington Castillo was at third prior to Wednesday's game, as the Cubs try to fill spots because of injuries.

Third baseman Mike Olt continued to receive treatment on his right wrist, which was hit by a pitch on Saturday. Olt has not started since the freak incident but has been able to pinch-hit and sub at third late in games.
Coghlan, who hasn't played third since 2013, found himself there at the end of Tuesday's game.
"Whenever you're losing, you'll do anything," manager Joe Maddon said of his mixing and matching.
Coghlan has played three games at second but made only one start there, and that was in 2009. How comfortable was Maddon with the outfielder at second?
"My discomfort level is the double play," Maddon said. "The fact that the guy hasn't played second base in a while, the double play bothers me. What can possibly happen? That's the part I don't like."
Maddon said not to expect to see Coghlan start in the infield but he could finish there in a game.
• The Cubs are carrying 13 pitchers with the addition of Zac Rosscup on Tuesday, and Maddon said that will be re-evaluated heading into the weekend series against the Padres.
"That's kind of a luxury item now," Maddon said of the extra pitcher.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So I'm seeing them promoting Bryant. Now all will depend on Ramirez

INJURY UPDATE
Cubs right-hander Neil Ramirez had to leave the game in the ninth after throwing three pitches, all balls, to leadoff man Votto. Ramirez was on the disabled list last year with a right triceps strain.

So it seems natural that Ramirez goes to the DL and Bryant promotes now.

 

[CSF77]

Wood had a pretty good start to last year and obviously was fantastic in 2013. There's the giant elephant in the room of the rest of last year but he obviously can pitch well at times.

Wood owns his old team. I wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

Missed most of the game but I'm happy with this win...The Cubs take 2 outta 3 and didn't require a dramatic comeback this time

 

[JimJohnson]

We need some offensive production out of the 3B position. Would be nice to bring ARAM back home for his final MLB season in what might be a special season for the Cubs. Stick ARAM and Bryant in the lineup, Lester starts throwing better, could be looking at something special here.

 

[SilenceS]

We need some offensive production out of the 3B position. Would be nice to bring ARAM back home for his final MLB season in what might be a special season for the Cubs. Stick ARAM and Bryant in the lineup, Lester starts throwing better, could be looking at something special here.

No, ARam is not coming back.

 

[SilenceS]

Great win

This is why Travis Wood was the right choice. He has the stuff to shut down a team every once in awhile. Hopefully he can learn to become a little more consistent

None the less good win

Hope Ramirez is ok

Wood is all about location with his cutter. He misses his location. He gets destroyed. Also, he is an extreme fly ball pitcher so when the wind blows in. He has better games. I still think Jacob Turner will be in the rotation before its all said and done.

 

[JimJohnson]

No, ARam is not coming back.

You spoke with him?

 

[SilenceS]

You spoke with him?

Yep, it would be about as ridiculous as your suggestion.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

The outlook on Neil Ramirez is not good. The bullpen is deep but this is a guy you really didn't want to lose. Glad they have an off day today. There are some major roster decisions to be made. I still don't expect Kris Bryant in Wrigley on Friday.

 

[JosMin]

The outlook on Neil Ramirez is not good. The bullpen is deep but this is a guy you really didn't want to lose. Glad they have an off day today. There are some major roster decisions to be made. I still don't expect Kris Bryant in Wrigley on Friday.

Yeah, until the Cubs have a clear picture what's going on with Ramirez, they'll certainly carry an extra pitcher. A bit bummed about Ramirez, for sure. His velocity was in the toilet before Maddon pulled him. Reading interviews, Montero said he looked off in warmups. Hopefully it's nothing catastrophic. He was fantastic last year.

 

[SilenceS]

Yeah, until the Cubs have a clear picture what's going on with Ramirez, they'll certainly carry an extra pitcher. A bit bummed about Ramirez, for sure. His velocity was in the toilet before Maddon pulled him. Reading interviews, Montero said he looked off in warmups. Hopefully it's nothing catastrophic. He was fantastic last year.

Its the shoulder which isn't good. He was throwing 90 when he usually throws 95. Why didn't Montero go out to the mound before the inning and ask him whats up? I know he would have lied to him, but still, I thought Montero should have went to his pitcher if he noticed something funky.

 

[Parade_Rain]

...you've decided Ross adds nothing. Ross is no great bat, but he was one of the few who hit in the opener, and he hasn't played that much. ...
...But you want to stick with the guy because Ross isn't Bench?

I'm not in love with Ross. I wouldn't cry if he was gone.

Captain Wishy-washy alert.

 

[CSF77]

Yeah, until the Cubs have a clear picture what's going on with Ramirez, they'll certainly carry an extra pitcher. A bit bummed about Ramirez, for sure. His velocity was in the toilet before Maddon pulled him. Reading interviews, Montero said he looked off in warmups. Hopefully it's nothing catastrophic. He was fantastic last year.

They were at 13. IMO they need to start using Jackson in that role now. He has looked very good in short situations and it could become a new lease on life for the guy.

The main problem right now is La Stella went down and Olt has been hurt. That has killed the IF depth. If they have Cog out taking grounders at 2B and playing an inning at 3B it is time to promote Bryant.

 

[CSF77]

Captain Wishy-washy alert.

Who really cares. Too much is being made over Ross.

 

[Parade_Rain]

Who really cares. Too much is being made over Ross.

Not really. He's going to be 40 something years old by the time Lester's contract is up. It's a coddling job for one pitcher.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

They were at 13. IMO they need to start using Jackson in that role now. He has looked very good in short situations and it could become a new lease on life for the guy.

The main problem right now is La Stella went down and Olt has been hurt. That has killed the IF depth. If they have Cog out taking grounders at 2B and playing an inning at 3B it is time to promote Bryant.

The problem with Bryant is this issue if there is a Division or Wild Card tie that the season could be considered to be one day longer so rather than the team gaining that extra year of service time as of tomorrow they may, by necessity, need to wait until Saturday. Now I've read different things about that and the MLBPA would probably have to appeal that extra day as opposed to it just being an automatic but you know they will if given the opportunity. Then there's the whole do you bring this kid up at home when the hometown fans think he's the messiah? Tough decision to make. They really need another infielder this weekend.

 

[CSF77]

Pen:
Coke: 5 games 4 hits 1 ER giving up a .286 BA
Rondon 5 games 4 hits 0 ER .211 BA against
Strop 5 games 2 hits 0 ER .143 BA against
Motte 4 games 2 hits .143 BA against

These are the guys they were leaning on with Ramirez. Ramirez pnly gave up 1 hit and 1 ER. .100 BA aganst. He did give up 3 BB though.

Schlitter 3 games 4 hits 2 ER .333 BA (not a fan of the guy)
Jackson 1 game 1 hiy 0 ER .125 BA

His one game was for 2 IP so it looks like he is being used in those situations,

Over all they have Rondon, Strop and Motte right now in late inning with Coke. Schlitter in games not on the line and Jackson in long situations. Rosscup is the 2nd LH arm in the pen.

I think they will be fine.

 

[CSF77]

The problem with Bryant is this issue if there is a Division or Wild Card tie that the season could be considered to be one day longer so rather than the team gaining that extra year of service time as of tomorrow they may, by necessity, need to wait until Saturday. Now I've read different things about that and the MLBPA would probably have to appeal that extra day as opposed to it just being an automatic but you know they will if given the opportunity. Then there's the whole do you bring this kid up at home when the hometown fans think he's the messiah? Tough decision to make. They really need another infielder this weekend.

Not sure on that rule. I believe the rule is calender days of the year. Not game days. The calendar days is 181 not 162. I doubt it will impact much.

Then there's the whole do you bring this kid up at home when the hometown fans think he's the messiah?

I think Kris has the mental make up to be able to deal with it. Regardless if is a home or away. The spotlight will end up on him. Not just a local but on a National scene.