Official Cubs Game Thread!

[CSF77]

"If " or I should probably say "when" the Cub's pen blows today's game it will be by my count....the 14th loss directly related to bullpen failure. That projects roughly to 45 pen losses by season's end. If Rickets had half a brain, he'd be asking why pay $40 mill to a manager whose thing is bullpen management.....then don't give him a bullpen. Particularly the way last year's playoffs were dominated by bullpen pitching.

Of course, that's providing that Ricketts isn't just as stupid as Hoyer....

Well I'm not going to argue about this subject. Going by what they should have done and what they did do.

I do hold that Jed put together a few moves that improved the team. Injury and performance has been the issue.

Pen: Merryweather Alzolay, Almonte, Kilian, Smyly.

Rotation: Wicks, Steele, Taillon.

I don't think there was a legit closer on the market.

Unless you expect Jed to sign either Urias or Bauer to close games. PR nightmare but you would get league min.

 

[CSF77]

10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Colten Brewer (low back strain)
Expected return: June
Brewer was scheduled to begin a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on May 31. The righty has been on the IL since May 17 (retroactive to May 14). Brewer has a 3.09 ERA in seven appearances this season, with 12 strikeouts and four walks in 11 2/3 innings. (Last updated: May 31)

RHP Daniel Palencia (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: June
Palencia struck out one in one scoreless inning and threw 12 pitches in his latest Minor League rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on May 30. He has 11 strikeouts, three walks and four runs allowed in five innings through five rehab games. The righty was placed on the IL on May 7 due to a right shoulder strain -- an injury that flared up on his final pitch in the Cubs' 6-3 loss to the Padres on May 6. (Last updated: May 31)

RHP Keegan Thompson (viral illness)
Expected return: May/June
Thompson threw 23 pitches (15 strikes) and allowed one run on one hit across 1 2/3 innings of work in a Minor League rehab outing for Triple-A Iowa on May 29. This was Thompson’s second appearance for Iowa since being placed on the IL on May 15 (retroactive to May 12) after it was clear he would need multiple days of recovery after losing strength due to illness. The right-hander also threw a scoreless inning for Iowa on May 26. In nine games for the Cubs this season, Thompson has a 4.97 ERA with 19 strikeouts and six walks in 12 2/3 innings. (Last updated: May 29)

RHP Yency Almonte (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: June
Manager Craig Counsell said on May 29 that Almonte is playing catch at 90 feet as he continues to build back up since going to the IL on May 11 (retroactive to May 8) with a right shoulder strain. The injury popped up when the right-hander did not recover well from his most recent outing on May 7 against the Padres. Almonte resumed playing catch on May 21, and has a 3.45 ERA over 17 appearances for Chicago so far this season. (Last updated: May 29)

LHP Jordan Wicks (left forearm strain)
Expected return: June
Wicks gave up one run across 3 1/3 innings in his latest rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on May 28. He threw 52 pitches and struck out five batters while allowing one hit and one walk. This start comes after the left-hander threw two scoreless innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on May 24, finishing with three strikeouts and two hits allowed in a 33-pitch effort. Manager Craig Counsell said there will be another outing for him after that. Wicks was placed on the IL on April 28. Imaging on his left forearm revealed no structural damage. (Last updated: May 28)

RHP Adbert Alzolay (right flexor strain)
Expected return: TBD
The Cubs noted on May 26 that Alzolay has moved his rehab process to Arizona for the time being. The right-hander is currently in a minimum two-week down period from throwing, as manager Craig Counsell noted on May 22. Alzolay was shut down after seeking a second opinion on his right flexor strain, which is similar to an issue the reliever dealt with last September.

“It's going to be a while,” Counsell said on May 22.

Alzolay was placed on the 15-day IL on May 13 with the injury, which flared during his outing on May 12. In 18 games this season, Alzolay has a 4.67 ERA with 13 strikeouts, six walks and six homers allowed in 17 1/3 innings. (Last updated: May 26)

60-DAY IL
RHP Julian Merryweather (rib stress fracture)
Expected return: TBD
Merryweather played catch on May 21 in Arizona. On May 17, Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Merryweather is doing well and has “turned the corner a little bit.” Counsell noted Merryweather’s IL stint will be longer than 60 days. The 32-year-old has been shut down from throwing the last six weeks after imaging in April revealed he was dealing with a rib stress fracture in his back.


Merryweather was placed on the 15-day IL (retroactive to April 6) on April 7 and transferred to the 60-day IL on April 17, meaning he’ll be out until at least early June. He had a 1.93 ERA with six strikeouts and two walks through four outings (4 2/3 innings) this season. (Last updated: May 21)

RHP Caleb Kilian (right shoulder strain)
Expected return: July
Kilian left his March 5 start against the Royals in the third inning, and an MRI exam revealed a strain of the teres major in his throwing shoulder. The 26-year-old prospect -- acquired from the Giants as part of the Kris Bryant trade in 2021 -- is unlikely to return to game action until July, per manager Craig Counsell. In '23, Kilian made three appearances for the Cubs and went 8-3 in Triple-A with a 4.56 ERA in 120 1/3 innings. The Cubs placed him on the 60-day IL on March 28. (Last updated: March 28)




Now I know peeps here want to set fire to Jed's house right now. But let's be real. That is a fucking medical ward of pitchers

 

[Diehardfan]

If you don't want to argue a point....then kindly STFU. Won't be long before this forum becomes a White Sox clone....you can have it all to yourself. Make yourself an alt....maybe you can get a response that way. lololololol

 

[truthbedamned]

Cubs now have the most blown saves by the bullpen in the majors. Great job.

 

[Probie2429]

Cubs now have the most blown saves by the bullpen in the majors. Great job.

We’re # 1!

 

[TL1961]

It’s May.

Breathe, people.

 

[zack54attack]

This team is so frustrating.

 

[CSF77]

They need a closer. Kopech should be on the market. I see him as a Jed target. Will not cost much.

But if you could point at one issue right now it is the pen leaking runs after the starter goes. That needs to stop.

But the Pen right now:

Leiter 24 games. 3.38 ERA 8 BB 30 SO
Neris 21 Games 3.15 ERA 15 BB 16 SO
Wesneski 13 games 2.48 ERA 7 BB 29 SO

So this it the best in the pen.

2nd tier:

Miller 7 Games 1.17 ERA 1 BB 8 SO. We need some more data to see how he fits in.
Hodge 3 games 0.00 ERA 0 BB 6 SO. I don't see Craig trusting him at this point.


Rest are just trash. Smyly, Hendricks both are there due to $$$$. They both suck.

Little needs to make a adjustment. He is falling off the mound causing his slider to sweep too far. Hayden had this issue last year and made the adjustment. Talent is there so he needs to go to AAA ASAP and they fix his pitching motion.

Palencia should be up soon. He hits 101. He lacks a strong 2nd pitch. But he could be a decent trade chip for a closer.
Arias just got promoted to AAA. He is on the 40 man. So another player that may see some action.

Thompson was solid until he got a 'virus' then he looked like shit. He is back in rehab. Another who should get a call up.
Brewer just started rehab work.

Eventually Jed will be forced to take it in the ass and cut some baggage then trade with his depth.

 

[CSF77]

If you don't want to argue a point....then kindly STFU. Won't be long before this forum becomes a White Sox clone....you can have it all to yourself. Make yourself an alt....maybe you can get a response that way. lololololol

Talking to me or the mirror?

Clone, sounds about right.

 

[Bust]

It still is a business.

For sure it's a business. His boss is on the hook. Counsell is the highest paid manager in mlb. Was Jed bidding against himself? Like who else was gonna give Counsell all that cash? Nobody was competing for Counsell at that dollar figure.

No playoffs, Jed is done.

Craig Counsell's contract as Cubs manager shatters MLB record: report

The Chicago Cubs stunned the baseball world with their reported hiring of former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, and the contract they inked him will set a new bar for skippers in the league.

www.nbcsportschicago.com

 

[CSF77]

Current:



Javier Assad 1.18 WHIP

Ben Brown 1.09 WHIP

Kyle Hendricks 1.88 WHIP 16M

Porter Hodge 0.60 WHIP

Shota Imanaga 1.00 WHIP

Mark Leiter Jr 1.26 WHIP

Luke Little 1.29 WHIP

Tyson Miller 0.78 WHIP

Hector Neris 1.57 WHIP 9M

Drew Smyly 1.41 WHIP 8.5M

Justin Steele 1.21 WHIP

Jameson Taillon 1.26 WHIP

Hayden Wesneski 1.04 WHIP



Ready to return:

Keegan Thompson 1.34 WHIP

Jordan Wicks 1.52 WHIP 1st round pick.



Near:



Yency Almonte 1.09 WHIP

Colten Brewer 1.11 WHIP


So the guys in the red are going to get unfair benefits due to $$ or expectations.
I see Thompson as damage control for the next injury. Danial Palencia was activated and put into injury replacement in Iowa also.

Wicks should force a move when he is ready. He just finished his 3rd rehab and threw 65 pitches. Results matter less as they are working up pitch counts. The obvious transaction would be Little demoted if they bring him up. So I am not sure on the direction that they are thinking. It affects Brown also.

The right call I feel is letting Wicks build up pitch counts in Iowa for a few weeks and let Almonte catch up. Then promote both and axe Hendricks and Smyly. Eat the cash owed.

Then push Wicks back into the rotation and move Brown into the closer role.

The lack of defined roles has really hurt this team. But looking at WHIP your best options are:

Brown in the 9th.
Wesneski as the primary set up.

Miller/Hodge/Almonte as the hold the lead arms.

Rest go into situational pitching.

Leiter Jr, Neris, Little. All 3 are good vs lefties.

Brown I still feel that he needs to add a pitch to go further as a starter. His no hit bid he had a extra 1-2 MPH on his fastball. Last game they were on it more. He got burnt on a hanging curve but what led up to it was the real issue. He lost control of the inning and it ended poorly.

So as a starter there are just more opportunities for a bad inning to happen. He lacks that knock out pitch right now that keeps hitters on edge. Or in his case. A change up to work with his 4 seam. Then his curve turns into a strike out weapon.

 

[TL1961]

Yeah….about giving Morel more time.

Scratch that.

 

[truthbedamned]

How sad. The worst team in baseball beating up the Cubs.

 

[knoxville7]

How sad. The worst team in baseball beating up the Cubs.

What’s that ya say? lol

 

[knoxville7]

Also, where’s @hyatt151 to take his “victory lap” on Michael Busch being a stud??? Man, he really showed me what’s what on that one!!!

#PrematureLikeHisSexLife

 

[CSF77]

Also, where’s @hyatt151 to take his “victory lap” on Michael Busch being a stud??? Man, he really showed me what’s what on that one!!!

#PrematureLikeHisSexLife

First year in the big leagues is a poor judge on a player. Add to it new position.

Jed made some cost control choices this year vs spending for established high end talent. So it is expected to see a team struggle when it's core lacks years of success as players.

 

[CSF77]

The only thing that works against Busch is his age. He really doesn't have the time to adjust like PCA will. So he will be forced to adapt faster due to his shorter peak window.

I can see Caissie as a back up plan. Then turn Busch into a utility guy as his glove work is rather good and can be used at 2B and 3B. With his power and walk ability he could end up rather useful for Craig down there he road.

That is just my early take. 1B and DH are premium positions for production and if you are planning on taking a kid and molding him you are better off taking Owen Caissie. He is 21 and turns 22 next month. That is a longer window to develop a legit power hitting 1B.

As far as this year it is fine doing what they are. PCA is not yet established. Bellinger can move back and forth allowing Craig to play match ups more

So tbh this team is a transition team. They are not a contender. Unfortunately the fact that Jed signed a mega to a manager and dumped cash to return Cody put a bunch of pressure on a core that is not ready to play at a play off level.

My expectations right now is 81 wins. If the youth takes it up a level and it should because that is the process of adjusting to talent.

But that doesn't mean a 90 win team. That would take external while abandoning some self development and future depth.

So I feel that status que is the right call. Let the youth establish and get healthy. If they get to a point that they are playing at a level that competes with Phi then make a move.

So in reality do nothing other than cut the fat and add players that will be in the core and use that time to develop

 

[TL1961]

The only thing that works against Busch is his age. He really doesn't have the time to adjust like PCA will. So he will be forced to adapt faster due to his shorter peak window.

I can see Caissie as a back up plan. Then turn Busch into a utility guy as his glove work is rather good and can be used at 2B and 3B. With his power and walk ability he could end up rather useful for Craig down there he road.

That is just my early take. 1B and DH are premium positions for production and if you are planning on taking a kid and molding him you are better off taking Owen Caissie. He is 21 and turns 22 next month. That is a longer window to develop a legit power hitting 1B.

As far as this year it is fine doing what they are. PCA is not yet established. Bellinger can move back and forth allowing Craig to play match ups more

So tbh this team is a transition team. They are not a contender. Unfortunately the fact that Jed signed a mega to a manager and dumped cash to return Cody put a bunch of pressure on a core that is not ready to play at a play off level.

My expectations right now is 81 wins. If the youth takes it up a level and it should because that is the process of adjusting to talent.

But that doesn't mean a 90 win team. That would take external while abandoning some self development and future depth.

So I feel that status que is the right call. Let the youth establish and get healthy. If they get to a point that they are playing at a level that competes with Phi then make a move.

So in reality do nothing other than cut the fat and add players that will be in the core and use that time to develop

Busch struggles to play 1st. You honestly think he'd be a good answer at 2nd? Wow!

 

[truthbedamned]

OT Watching the game last night and saw mention that Bellinger's son was playing in a tournament for 12 year olds in Cooperstown. Well I will be damned. So is my grandson. The wife is with them but my grandson is bound and determined to find him and get an autograph. Got lot's of pics from the HOF.

 

[CSF77]

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