KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Yes - it was a great play. Why wouldn't it be allowed? They allow outfielders to climb the walls to take away HR balls.
Chicago Cubs 2016 Season
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Yes - it was a great play. Why wouldn't it be allowed? They allow outfielders to climb the walls to take away HR balls.
I think the only person they could send down to keep Smith that would make any sense at all is Edwards, knowing he'd be right back up here in 2 weeks after the roster expands.
But damn! After two more walks yesterday, Smith's FIP sits at 16.5 and he has a WHIP over 2.7.
I know small sample size and all that, but he's already given up three HRs as a Cub. His entire value rests in the fact that he doesn't give up home runs. 9 seasons in the Big Leagues and he's never given up more than 5 HRs in a season, and he gives up 3 in his first three innings pitched as a Cub. That reads less like statistical fluke due to small sample size and more like, "This guy might not have anything left in the tank."
So, if the Cubs think the same way, there's simply no reason to screw with Edwards' development in an attempt to keep Smith on the roster.
Heyward's already bad season at the plate has gotten even worse over the last 30 games. He's OPSing in the .400s over that time, basically being a second pitcher in the line up. (Actually Hammel and Arrieta have been significantly better hitters than he has.)
With how well Soler and Szczur have been playing I would really love to see Heyward grabbing some pine. But I think with the Cubs huge division lead, they're going to keep rolling him out there. Give him every chance in the world to gain some confidence heading into the playoffs.
But I got to wonder, if he keeps struggling like this, what kind of lineup we'll see come the playoffs.
With how well Soler and Szczur have been playing I would really love to see Heyward grabbing some pine. But I think with the Cubs huge division lead, they're going to keep rolling him out there. Give him every chance in the world to gain some confidence heading into the playoffs.
But I got to wonder, if he keeps struggling like this, what kind of lineup we'll see come the playoffs.
Yep, 100% allowed. If my past umpire's mind remembers correctly, if Rizzo's body would have left the field of play, yet still made the catch, the it counts, but runners would be advance one base.
Rizzo is creating quite the career highlight reel with catches near the tarp.
I see LaStella came to his senses and decided to report to double A
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
I agree--the time for him to be benched is now with Soler back. In the playoffs it will come down to what is more important--a gold glove level right fielder on defense but who can't hit vs. a serviceable defender who will provide some offense. I think offense will win out.
Heyward got a double!!! Albeit against a guy throwing batting practice out there, but a double nonetheless.
And Joe Smith to the DL. Wonder how that conversation went...
"You're hurt."
"No I'm not."
"You mean you pitch like that when you're healthy?"
"Now that you mention it..."
And Joe Smith to the DL. Wonder how that conversation went...
"You're hurt."
"No I'm not."
"You mean you pitch like that when you're healthy?"
"Now that you mention it..."
I would be shocked if Heyward is benched in the playoffs. Maybe if Soler is absolutely destroying the cover off the ball. But you guys have plenty of offense. Heyward may not score runs with the bat but Rizzo, Bryant, Russell, Fowler etc got that covered. He saves runs with his glove. Bat him 8th and let him do his thing in the field.
Just a Cardinals fan point of view. Considering we also have plenty of offense, and have to deal with watching dumb errors every week.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Soler was OPSing over 1.000 in the last 20 games before going on the DL and has been OPSing over 1.200 in the 12 games since coming off the DL.
Heyward's OPS over the last 32 games is .434.
No amount of defense can make up for that kind of difference in offensive production. Assuming both are sustainable. I'm not suggesting anything drastic, I'm just saying that if these trends continue, Soler's PAs need to be increased, while Heyward's need to be decreased. Because there's no reason why Heywards PA's should be preserved over Soler's, let alone Baez, Contreras, or Sczcur's.
Heyward's OPS over the last 32 games is .434.
No amount of defense can make up for that kind of difference in offensive production. Assuming both are sustainable. I'm not suggesting anything drastic, I'm just saying that if these trends continue, Soler's PAs need to be increased, while Heyward's need to be decreased. Because there's no reason why Heywards PA's should be preserved over Soler's, let alone Baez, Contreras, or Sczcur's.
Heyward out of the lineup this afternoon. But then so is Fowler. Don't think we can read anything into it.
Kris Bryant carried a shaky Arrieta (7 walks) to sweep the Brewers!
[ W ]
[ W ]
ChiCityHoops34
- DeKalb IL
Kris Bryant has some serious late 90's A-Rod feels to him, every bat of his young career is must see.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Was a strange game for Arrieta. He breezed through the first three innings, then had trouble after that.
Patton had a rough go, as well. I think he walked all three he faced.
These games happen.
Moving back to the US in two weeks. Looking forward to playoff baseball, hopefully some of it live at Wrigley.
Assuming that all five starters make the playoff roster and that Maddon carries 11 pitchers going into the playoffs (like he did last year). Who are the 6 other pitchers?
Assuming everyone is healthy, Chapman, Rondon, Strop and Wood are locks. So the last two come from a pool of Cahill, Edwards, Grimm and Montgomery.
Cahill has been the most consistent this year, is versatile in that he can go long or short, and performed very well in the playoffs last year. I have to assume he has one of the slots.
Edwards has been amazing good except for that one blow up against St Louis. I have to wonder, though, whether Maddon trusts him in high leverage situations yet.
Grimm and Montgomery both got off the rocky starts, but have been absolutely lights out over the last month or so. They're the two most talented options, and are sort of right/left mirror images of each other.
If I had to guess right now, I'd guess it would be Cahill with Grimm over Montgomery since you probably don't need a third lefty in the pen. I could also see Maddon choosing to go with a 12th pitcher instead of a marginal left handed bat at the end of the bench (Coughlin or Montero).
Assuming everyone is healthy, Chapman, Rondon, Strop and Wood are locks. So the last two come from a pool of Cahill, Edwards, Grimm and Montgomery.
Cahill has been the most consistent this year, is versatile in that he can go long or short, and performed very well in the playoffs last year. I have to assume he has one of the slots.
Edwards has been amazing good except for that one blow up against St Louis. I have to wonder, though, whether Maddon trusts him in high leverage situations yet.
Grimm and Montgomery both got off the rocky starts, but have been absolutely lights out over the last month or so. They're the two most talented options, and are sort of right/left mirror images of each other.
If I had to guess right now, I'd guess it would be Cahill with Grimm over Montgomery since you probably don't need a third lefty in the pen. I could also see Maddon choosing to go with a 12th pitcher instead of a marginal left handed bat at the end of the bench (Coughlin or Montero).
Lackey and Rondon to the DL; Rob Zastryzny (first Theo w/ Cubs pitching draft pick to be called up) and Felix Pena called up.
According to Carrie Muskat on Twitter, neither had a setback, the moves are precautionary, and their division lead affords them the luxury of giving them extra time to get healthy.
https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat
Man! All I had to do was type the words, "Assuming everyone is healthy," and we start sending pitchers to the DL.
I think in both cases, it's more forcing the guys to take some rest than an actual injury. If the Cubs were only up 3 or 4 games instead of 13, I think they'd both still be pitching.
Oh and Zastryzny is the first of Theo's picks with the Cubs to pitch for the Cubs. Zack Godley ('13 4th round pick, traded to the D-Backs in the Montero deal) debuted last year and has been a reasonably OK player.
Heyward absent from the lineup again tonight.
1. Fowler - CF
2. Bryant - 3B
3. Rizzo - 1B
4. Soler - RF
5. Russell - SS
6. Szczur - LF
7. Contreras - C
8. Baez - 2B
9. Hendricks - P
1. Fowler - CF
2. Bryant - 3B
3. Rizzo - 1B
4. Soler - RF
5. Russell - SS
6. Szczur - LF
7. Contreras - C
8. Baez - 2B
9. Hendricks - P
Maddon saying he's giving Heyward the weekend off. Will only play him in an emergency situation. Wants him to take it easy and be ready for San Diego.
You go, we go. Dexter Fowler is the [re]signing of the offseason.
Kyle Hendricks officially leading MLB in ERA at 2.16 (Kershaw no longer eligible).
Huge win tonight, mostly for the sake of the bullpen. Montgomery & Cahill pitched incredibly for their sake.
In other news, Bryant is now the NL home run leader, with the furthest Cub HR this season (469 feet).
In other news, Bryant is now the NL home run leader, with the furthest Cub HR this season (469 feet).
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
How about Russell with 80 rbi already. He has a decent shot to knock in 100 for the year. If he could just get his average up to .270 or so the numbers might really explode. It certainly helps hitting behind Bryant and Rizzo.
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