IST: Chicago Cubs (7-5) at Pittsburgh Pirates (6-7)

[Diehardfan]

Doesn't anyone hit into a doubleplay anymore?

 

[brett05]

Doesn't anyone hit into a doubleplay anymore?

Just Castro

 

[FrankieLyrical]

In Schlitter we trust!

 

[FrankieLyrical]

Our pen has been god awful lately smh

 

[ijustposthere]

Ugh. Shitty bullpen imploding again.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

The suicide bomber is a coward, the pitcher of warfare. Let me see your face. The coward of warfare.

 

[Mr. Cub]

This fucking blowpen is going to be the death of us, as always.

 

[FrankieLyrical]

Ugh. Shitty bullpen imploding again.

You think Maddon is being stubborn with Coke and Schlitter or just trying to give them a chance to get out of a funk?

 

[JZsportsfan]

Edwin Jackson starts to get more pressure situations, immediately falls flat on his face. 3 base runners, 0 outs... SMH

 

[TC in Mississippi]

You think Maddon is being stubborn with Coke and Schlitter or just trying to give them a chance to get out of a funk?

With Schlitter I have no idea. I have seen enough thank you. With Coke, he hasn't pitched awful but he's being put into some situations that are no high percentage chances, on top of that he has made some mistakes. I'd say I don't like Maddon's use of the bullpen but I don't see anybody that looks like they can dam the flood here. They need Grimm back badly and they probably need to go shopping for a guy. Of course if the starters could go later in games it might not be as much of a problem. This is on of the main reasons this team isn't quite there yet. They're young, they're hungry and there are talented hitters but the pitching is out of sync and the young players will make mistakes as young players do.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

The pitcher "walks" the batter because he would sooner dishonor himself than face the wrath of the cruel, ruthless slugger.

 

[ijustposthere]

You think Maddon is being stubborn with Coke and Schlitter or just trying to give them a chance to get out of a funk?

I think he doesn't have much of an option.

 

[JZsportsfan]

You think Maddon is being stubborn with Coke and Schlitter or just trying to give them a chance to get out of a funk?

If it is just Maddon(which I doubt), Theo needs to give him some new toys and ship the defects back to the factory in Iowa

 

[FrankieLyrical]

I hope we come back and win this. If someone told me we'd split a series on the road against Pittsburgh before the series started, I'da been happy but the fact that we took the first 2 is making me want this series BAD!

 

[Diehardfan]

If it is just Maddon(which I doubt), Theo needs to give him some new toys and ship the defects back to the factory in Iowa

Please include Jackson in the factory recall. Just watching him walk out to the mound makes me nauseous.

 

[FrankieLyrical]

I think he doesn't have much of an option.

Yeah, I guess you're right

 

[FrankieLyrical]

The cutters/sliders this dude is throwing are filthy

 

[JZsportsfan]

Should have taken 2/3 from the Padres and 3/4 from the Pirates

The pitching has been prone to the big inning. Gonna need to add another starter, and pen arm to really be taken seriously as contenders moving forward. These blown games are going to keep piling up

 

[Diehardfan]

Ok, seen three division rivals.....only one I saw that I think is better than the Cubs is St. Louis. The Brewers seem to be in disarray....this Cub team should be a contender just like Rizzo said.

 

[TC in Mississippi]

Please include Jackson in the factory recall. Just watching him walk out to the mound makes me nauseous.

It's more than Jackson, but I don't disagree. If he has no use eat the money. I get it if it means that they won't be able to pick up much more salary at the deadline but it will be worth it. The real problems are all in the depth though and there are other issues besides Jackson. Some are injuries to guys like La Stella and even Olt (who would a fine bench guy and backup 1B & 3B on the team) but then there's the 3 catcher thing. I've defended the Ross signing because it's obvious that the FO doesn't value what Castillo brings to the table, I get it, framing, framing, framing. The thing is it looks like Maddon likes him off his bench and likes to catch him once or twice a week. Y'all need to work something out. It's got to be Castillo or Ross. You can't carry three catchers and you have to balance this depth, already thin, the best you can. I've said from minute one I think this is a team that looks to be a just over .500 ballclub, that hasn't changed, but it could get better. Some moves have to be made sooner rather than later. Rant over.