They needed to win last night. I don't like their chances today and a 2-5 homestand, even against the Dodgers and Padres, is not good,
Cubs 2023 Season
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Agree absolutely
A 3-4 home stand is ok considering the competition, even though they got there in kind of a funky way.
The schedule lightens up with 10-straight against the Marlins and Nats. Then the Cardinals. Hopefully, they’re still struggling then. 5.5 up on the Cards pending this evening’s game. I still think they’re the most talented team in the division and would like to put as much distance between them and the Cubs as possible while they’re working out the kinks.
The schedule lightens up with 10-straight against the Marlins and Nats. Then the Cardinals. Hopefully, they’re still struggling then. 5.5 up on the Cards pending this evening’s game. I still think they’re the most talented team in the division and would like to put as much distance between them and the Cubs as possible while they’re working out the kinks.
I'm still pretty encouraged by this team, despite a losing record on the homestand. We just have to keep in mind, that this season is year one of the re-build after the 2 year tear-down. I was hoping for mediocre this year, and it looks like we are closer to pretty good. If we had a closer, we might even be dangerous.
This team is kind of a throwback, which is fun. Groundball pitchers, great defense, contact hitters, and speed. Plus, it seems like the guys are having fun and enjoying each other.
3-4 feels so much better psychologically than 2-5. Nice win.
[ W ] #13
The trimming of the fat from the bottom of the Cubs’ roster has begun. Bellinger back from paternity and Vazquez stays up with Torrens being DFA’ed.
Not sure why Torrens was ever on the roster, but for now, I say let’s ride this Nelly hot streak for as long as it lasts. Write his name in ink at the DH spot until his OPS drops below .850.
Not sure why Torrens was ever on the roster, but for now, I say let’s ride this Nelly hot streak for as long as it lasts. Write his name in ink at the DH spot until his OPS drops below .850.
Let's take a poll. What was your favorite memory of the Luis Torrens era?
The game his eventual replacement on the roster hit the go ahead Grand Slam.
Going 4 for 25 with RISP is a good way to lose three straight 1-run games.
Let's not short change them. I think it was 4 for 25.
And a lot of those were Seiya Double Plays and Happ Strike Outs.
This definitely puts a damper on my enthusiasm.
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Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
Not a good past 10 days.
Heh. That was a typo. You replied before I had the chance to edit.
Cubs were even in 1-run games before this series. I chalk a lot of what happened this weekend up to bad luck. Things could easily flip the other way in another series soon.
Still, it’s hard not to think that this team that everyone acknowledges has little to no margin for error in making the playoffs is leaving runs off the scoreboard by refusing to field its best roster.
We’re a not-insignificant way into the season and the Cubs are 25th in MLB in 1B WAR. Mervis is now at 363 Plate Appearances at AAA with a .296/.388/.579 slash line. The “small sample size” arguments are starting to run out.
Morel, who had a nice rookie campaign last year and is hitting even better in AAA is a bit tougher call because there isn’t as obvious a place to put him in the lineup and as a 23 year old, there’s a better argument to make sure he’s getting regular at bats on the farm than Mervis who is 25.
Man, Smyly has been good these last few starts!
He has a 92 mph sinker and a 77 mph curve and it’s pretty obvious batters have no clue which one is coming right now.
He has a 92 mph sinker and a 77 mph curve and it’s pretty obvious batters have no clue which one is coming right now.
[ W ] #15
I would totally agree with that except I am concerned about not having an established dependable 9th inning guy at this point of the season to lock down 1 run wins. I'd love to see someone step up.
In a weird way, I sort of hope that guy isn't necessarily on the roster right now because if that is the case, it means they would probably be in the pennant race at the trade deadline and acquire a legit closer..... or maybe Codi Heuer????
Last night with bags loaded and one out in 6th, down 1-0, Ross took out Rios who had a lefty/righty advantage. Even though this was a turning point and we didn't score, I'm not blaming Ross. He was just more confident with Mancini who struck out. My point is, if Ross is not comfortable letting Rios bat in that situation WHY IS HE ON THE ROSTER ??
I guarantee you one thing: If Mervis was due up in that situation he would have batted.
I guarantee you one thing: If Mervis was due up in that situation he would have batted.
To add to this…
Trevor Williams is a right-handed pitcher with a funky delivery. I understand the Cubs thinking it’s a bad matchup for Velazquez. Fine.
But Ross brought in two right-handed pinch hitters during the game:
Mancini, OPSing .683 in 103 PAs
Madrigal, OPSing .642 in 53 PAs
While leaving on the bench Velazquez, OPSing 1.218 in 25 PAs at MLB and 1.021 in 62 PAs at AAA.
And for what it’s worth, they also have in Morel a right handed hitter who OPSed .741 in the Majors last year and is currently OPSing 1.298 in Iowa. (On the left-handed side of things, Mervis hit a double 114 mph off the bat last night.)
This is a team a half game out of a playoff spot that is staunchly refusing to put its best lineup on the field.
I'm sure I'm reading too much into it but maybe Ross was trying to send a message to the front office.
Don't want to make any moves and disturb this great locker room chemistry. It's really translating to a lot of clutch hitting and pitching on the field.
Just can’t lose that game today.
1 for 16 with RISP in the last two games.
1 for 16 with RISP in the last two games.
3-8 in the last 11, scoring 3 runs a game, and currently getting 1-hit through 6 by a pitcher who had a 5.00 ERA heading into the game was enough.
Mash Mervis will be at Wrigley tomorrow. They haven’t announced the corresponding move out.
Mash Mervis will be at Wrigley tomorrow. They haven’t announced the corresponding move out.
Hopefully Morel up soon, too.
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