Chicago Cubs 2016 Season

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#202      
If I'm reading the box score correctly, Jake Arrieta just threw a shutout no hitter against the Reds. Nice!
 
#208      
Is that real? If so, that's awesome.

100% real! Reds (and Dodgers) having fun tonight.

A conversation between Arrieta victims:

Los Angeles Dodgers ‏@Dodgers 43m43 minutes ago
Hey @Reds, Arrieta no-hitter support group meets on Mondays.

Cincinnati Reds ‏@Reds 40m40 minutes ago
@Dodgers We'll bring the Budweiser.
 
#211      
That might be the best overall single game the Cubs have ever played. 16 runs while your pitcher throws a no-no? Bryant two homers and a grand slam?

Encore?
 
#212      
I'm happy for Ross.

As much as Arrieta was the storyline, so was Ross. In his 15th and final season in the big leagues, he caught his first no-hitter. Known affectionately as “Grandpa Rossy,” Ross' teammates were as happy for him as they were for Arrieta -- and that includes the pitcher himself. It was Ross who got a Gatorade shower in the dugout and was asked to attend the postgame press conference. But he came to the interview room for another reason. He needed something for his scrapbook.

"I didn't want any questions -- I just want a picture,” Ross joked to reporters.

Ross wanted a picture with Arrieta, who just finished answering questions about a no-hitter in an opposing team’s facility for the second time in 10 regular-season starts. Two men at different points in their careers sat there making sure photographers got a good shot. If his first no-hitter was about the rise of Arrieta as an elite pitcher, the second one might be about the team -- and its cast of characters -- around him.

“My good offense gets overshadowed by a no-hitter,” Ross exclaimed. “I’m kind of mad at him.”

Ross hit a home run and scored three times as the Cubs put up 15 more runs than Arrieta needed, winning for the 12th time this year.
 
#213      
Arrieta is so good. 2 no nos in 11 regular season starts. Him mentioning how happy he was for Ross and Lackey just reaffirms his character and the make up of this team.
This is going to be one fun ride.
 
#214      
I caught a quick post game chat with some tv guys, I dont even know what channel it was. I missed the game, had to follow it on my phone. Anyway, one of the guys was saying how this is the only time he can remember in his life when a pitcher is on the mound that its assumed money in the bag and its true.
 
#215      
Will Arrieta break the quality start streak record? He has 24 in a row and is two from tying and three from beating it. Bob Gibson had 26 straight in '67 and '68.

Arrieta (and Greinke and Mad Bum and Kershaw and Scherzer and the rest of the elite pitchers in the NL) will have plenty more opportunities to go up against bad lineups like the Reds. I figure Arrieta has around 11 more starts against the Reds, Brewers, Rockies, Padres, Phillies and Braves.
 
#216      
Gibson was something else. That is some record to tie or beat. Arrieta is in a groove, so just maybe.
 
#218      
Will Arrieta break the quality start streak record? He has 24 in a row and is two from tying and three from beating it. Bob Gibson had 26 straight in '67 and '68.

Arrieta (and Greinke and Mad Bum and Kershaw and Scherzer and the rest of the elite pitchers in the NL) will have plenty more opportunities to go up against bad lineups like the Reds. I figure Arrieta has around 11 more starts against the Reds, Brewers, Rockies, Padres, Phillies and Braves.

By the way, Arrieta is currently tied with Walter Johnson (Hall of Fame, arguably the greatest right-hander of all time) for third longest streak of QSs. Eddie Cicotte (would be HoF if not for that whole "don't fix baseball games" thing) is second. Gibson, in first, is probably the other candidate in the non-steroid enhanced greatest right-hander of all time argument.
 
#220      
Jason Hammel is putting together a nice season so far.
 
#221      
Jason Hammel is putting together a nice season so far.

The book on Hammel is that he starts strong and then fades.

3.96 career ERA in the first half of the season versus 5.15 ERA in the second half.

Supposedly, he did a lot of leg work in the offseason that is supposed to allow him to keep up his strength for the entire season. If he can sustain his usual first half performance through the whole way, the Cubs will be that much better.
 
#222      
The book on Hammel is that he starts strong and then fades.

3.96 career ERA in the first half of the season versus 5.15 ERA in the second half.

Supposedly, he did a lot of leg work in the offseason that is supposed to allow him to keep up his strength for the entire season. If he can sustain his usual first half performance through the whole way, the Cubs will be that much better.

The depth of the rotation and availability to add a solid starter at the deadline (thanks to a sustained wealth of minor league riches) is reassuring given Hammel's history of second half woes.

But I like what I've seen thus far and I hope he can keep it up!
 
#224      
The book on Hammel is that he starts strong and then fades.

3.96 career ERA in the first half of the season versus 5.15 ERA in the second half.

Supposedly, he did a lot of leg work in the offseason that is supposed to allow him to keep up his strength for the entire season. If he can sustain his usual first half performance through the whole way, the Cubs will be that much better.

I wonder if that is why he hasn't pitched more than 6 innings so far this year. We have a pretty good pen and our offense is usually able to give our starting pitchers some insurance so we will be able to spare him deep games early on to save him throughout the year.

If we could have a four headed monster at pitcher come playoff time...we would be very tough to beat.
 
#225      
I wonder if that is why he hasn't pitched more than 6 innings so far this year. We have a pretty good pen and our offense is usually able to give our starting pitchers some insurance so we will be able to spare him deep games early on to save him throughout the year.

If we could have a four headed monster at pitcher come playoff time...we would be very tough to beat.

Also, Hammel's effectiveness declines after 45+ pitches. Maybe his increased offseason conditioning program will help him later in the year. With the Cubs having the ability to pick up or decline his option, it's as if he's in a contract year this year and next year. That should give him a lot of incentive.
 
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