Official Cubs Game Thread!

[TL1961]

Earlier as Happ was batting the word Falter was displayed under the score.

I thought it was a prediction but it was the pitcher’s name.

Actually, it was both.

 

[Szlachcic]

This offense is brutal to watch.

Wonder, did Cubs retained last years hitting coach? This team just not hitting quality pitching..

 

[TL1961]

Wonder, did Cubs retained last years hitting coach? This team just not hitting quality pitching..

The offense was scoring a bunch the first several weeks. They’ve had a lot of guys on IL or missing games hurt.

Has it been bad recently, yes. But they have also faced Cease, Darvish, Sale, Skenes, all in May.

 

[TL1961]

Christopher Morel continues to hand the opponent extra at bats.

Twice in two innings, though one may be ruled a hit. But it should have been an out if he takes his time.

Bad D kills.

 

[TL1961]

Per the official scorer, the Pirates have 4 infield singles today.

I have seen three of the four and all three should have been outs.

Add to it Amaya's inability to catch a pitch, and Taillon is working alone today.

Now the obligatory "pull the starter with 2 outs in the 5th" move, and we get to ride the bullpen roller coaster the rest of the way.

Fasten your seatbelts!

 

[Szlachcic]

Boy, how I'm ready for the starters to return..

 

[TL1961]

The Cubs have only 2 runs in the 7th inning, yet Nick Madrigal just batted for what seems like the 19th time today.

 

[Szlachcic]

Pathetic..

 

[Szlachcic]

What real value does Mastrobuoni bring to the team?

 

[TL1961]

The pitching was great. The defense was awful, but it won't show in the box score. Pirates scored two in an inning that should have been over, but the infielders can't field.

Too many guys in the lineup that just add absolutely nothing offensively: Happ, Madrigal, Amaya, Wisdom.....

 

[CSF77]

The pitching was great. The defense was awful, but it won't show in the box score. Pirates scored two in an inning that should have been over, but the infielders can't field.

Too many guys in the lineup that just add absolutely nothing offensively: Happ, Madrigal, Amaya, Wisdom.....

Happ has been a real issue. .304 BABIP and a .330 SLG. So he is above league avg in luck. Well below in power. Hitting him in a run producing spot is not helpful

Losing Swanson was a hit to the D not O. He is below league avg as a hitter

O wise Morel is at .225 BABIP which is far below avg. So that should even out with time. BB and SO rates are really good so it is about putting the ball where they are not

 

[CSF77]

I believe the O stalled a bit when Suzuki returned. Then put Tauchman into the lead off and dropped Nico. Nico is the teams best lead off and Craig just needs to stop fucking with it.

Got that out of my system. They need to generate runs and Suzuki should be hitting in a run producing place not just getting more useless PA,s.

 

[CSF77]

Luis Vasquez getting called up. Nico and Swanson should be returning also. Morel's toe has gotten pretty bad where he is limping. Past few days Vazquez has been at 3B for Iowa. So expectations is Vazquez taking over 3B to let Morel mend.

 

[CSF77]

Love to see:

Davis and Vazquez promoted. Mastrboni and PCA demoted.

Swanson off DL Morel on 15 day.

Davis LF Happ put on bench or DL. His production is crap.

Vasquez to 3B full time. Glove is GG quality and has around 20 HR power, that is doable.

Going forward Vazquez is a plus D at 3B/SS and 2B. So that will take some wear off the 3 guys while not losing O or D by doing it.


Month of May:

Happ .193/.303/.281
Busch .208/.323/.377
Tauchman .203/.300/.304
Morel .217/.324/.483
Bellinger .327/.377/.571
Hoerner .289/.418/.511

So you can see why the O has shat the bed. Tauchman was great hitting #2. Lead off he tanked. Nico needs to lead off on returning.

If they move Morel to the DL then a educated move would be Tauchman back to #2 Suzuki #3. Bellinger hitting clean up. Give it a week and if Tauchman continues to flounder then bring up the next guy (Caissie) and get his bat into the mix.

At this point I feel that there is too much talent in Iowa to not tap into if there is a offensive stall.

I feel it was a mistake not promoting Vazquez earlier. Like right after Swanson got hurt. Let him start at SS and Nico at 2B. Moving to SS might have caused Nico's injury. So there is a issue with not having a MLB quality SS as a UI vs forcing a 2B to go off position.

Looking at the production:

Nico 2B
Tauchman DH (Give it a week/Mix in Happ see who gets it together first)
Suzuki RF
Bellinger CF
Swanson SS
Busch 1B (Wisdom vs LHP. He wrecks them still)
Davis LF (Mix in Happ here situationally)
Amaya/Gomes C
Vazquez 3B (or 2B as Nico is not 100% returning. He could go DL still)

 

[CSF77]

Going into the deadline I would think that there are 2 legit needs.

1. A catcher that hits. This has been a poor situation. I love Amaya for his framing. But they need a bat here everyday. This can be a rental.

2. Closer. This could be internal. I feel that Wesneski would be great in the 9th. As a in ing stopper not as much. If they address it with Wesneski then targeting a inning stopper makes sense.


As far as the rest of the line up is concerned that line up that I posted should suffice. When Morel is healthy then he pushes Swanson down. Swanson is at a 83 wRC+. For his glove that is acceptable but you don't want him in a RBI production role.

 

[CUBS1958]

The Cubs have only 2 runs in the 7th inning, yet Nick Madrigal just batted for what seems like the 19th time today.

A pathetic lack of getting hits with runners in scoring position. Both runs scored on sacrifice flies and Suzuki was only on base to score because he got hit by a pitch. Getting Swanson back with his 209 average and 32% strikeout rate wont help the offense much.

 

[CSF77]

Might be the best take.

Pay Bauer league min to close. Stick middle finger at the Comish office.

Jed should grow some balls and go for it and let Trevor time shut up the fans and let the other teams hate him for kicking their asses.

 

[TL1961]

Well, saving games is no longer the issue as they can’t score enough to have a lead late. Unless Trevor Bauer can hit, he won’t be of much use to the Cubs.

 

[TL1961]

There must be two outs in the fifth inning. We are getting a pitching change.

 

[Diehardfan]

There must be two outs in the fifth inning. We are getting a pitching change.

5 walks, 2 HRs, 102 pitches, an error plus the Cubs can't score.....PLEASE tell me why you wouldn't pull him there.