The Cubs kick off a six game homestand with a three game series against the Brewers. In fact, sixteen of the Cubs next nineteen games are at home, which seems kind of odd, scheduling-wise. They pay the piper going into the all-star break, when they play 14 or 17 on the road, including road series with the Mets and Pirates. Still, this is a good time to pile on that division lead, especially now that we know that Cardinals Devil Magic is still a thing, and has simply moved to pinch hitters' bats down there.
The Brewers come into this series having given up the third-most runs in the National league, nine behind the Reds and two behind the Rockies. As both of those teams have faced the Cubs and the Brewers have not, I would not be surprised to see them take the lead following this series.
Team Leaders
Brew Crew
- OBP: Braun (.432)
- ISO: Carter (.393)
- HR: Carter/Braun (5)
- R+RBI: Braun (27)
- wRC+: Braun (176)
- BSR: Lucroy (0.8)
- SP K/9: Anderson (6.75)
- SP BB/9: Anderson (2.70)
- SP FIP: Anderson (4.44)
- RP K/9: Thornburg (12.96)
- RP BB/9: Cravy (0.00)
- RP FIP: Cravy (1.33)
- WAR: Braun (0.8)
Cubs
- OBP: Fowler (.506)
- ISO: Rizzo (.377)
- HR: Rizzo (8)
- R+RBI: Rizzo (35)
- wRC+: Fowler (212)
- BSR: Heyward (1.9)
- SP K/9: Lackey (9.59)
- SP BB/9: Hendricks (1.50)
- SP FIP: Hammel (2.51)
- RP K/9: Rondon (18.00)
- RP BB/9: Grimm (0.00)
- RP FIP: Rondon (-0.91)
- WAR: Fowler (1.9)
Pitching Matchups
K/9, BB/9, 2016 ERA, 2016 FIP, 2016 projected ERA listed for all pitchers
Tir's day: Jimmy Nelson, RHP (6.58, 3.46, 3.46, 5.79, 4.22) vs Kyle Hendricks, RHP (7.50, 1.50, 4.00, 2.65, 3.63), 7:05 PM CT
Nelson has had a lots of trouble with the long ball this year giving up at least one homer in each start. He has managed to limit the damage, for the most part. It's pretty tough to allow only eleven runs when you'd coughed up six homers over four starts. Not a big strikeout guy, Nelson gets a decent amount of ground balls instead. He also struggles at throwing strikes at times, which is something this lineup loves to see.
Woden's day: Taylor Jungmann, RHP (5.82, 5.29, 8.47, 5.27, 4.08) vs Jake Arrieta, RHP (7.55, 1.74, 0.87, 2.84, 2.63), 7:05 PM CT
It would be nice to see Maddon give Arrieta's arm a bit of a rest here after the no-hitter, and the Cubs have a good matchup to do it. Jungmann has been a bit of a horror show for the Brewers so far, already having both an eight run game and a six walk outing under his belt so far this year. He gave the Brewers 21 solid starts last year, despite fairly middling minor league numbers. If he has another bad outing, I would not be surprised if he's the next victim of the Cubs offense that gets sent to the minors the day after facing them.
Thor's day: Zach Davies, RHP (5.40, 4.32, 9.72, 5.25, 4.08) vs Jon Lester, LHP (7.57, 1.65, 1.98, 3.39, 3.08), 1:20 PM CT
Based on his media photo, Davies shares a lot in common with his manager, namely, they would have to show two forms of ID to buy liquor and even then the cashier would have to wonder how this 17 year old kid got such good fake IDs. He's made two starts this year against the Pirates and the Phillies. At least he was able to strike out more Phillies than he walked, but that doesn't look as nice when you are on the ropes all game after allowing ten baserunners in six innings. He is a supposed to be big ground ball guy, but it sounds like that sinker needs to sink a lot more.
Comments
Living in Milwaukee, I actually hope the Brewers can turn things around and get some good young players to root for.
MillertimeQuote Reply
These are great: http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/04/25/nfl-draft-vernon-adams-oregon-tape-highlights
If Adams goes in the 6th or later like many think, it just proves the NFL refuses to learn.
RynoQuote Reply
Buckner should be gone. If Lawson makes it to 11, he’s probably the bpa, imo. His athleticism doesn’t always show up on tape like it did at the combine, but I think it’s a function of Clemson’s scheme. He’s my favorite EDGE in this draft: http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/blue-star/Scouting-the-NFL-Draft-EDGE-Shaq-Lawson-369293641.html
RynoQuote Reply
I recently enjoyed reading this:
https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/when-rick-monday-saved-the-american-flag-from-being-burned-at-dodger-stadium/?utm_source=vicesportstwitter
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Ryno, where do you think Lawson plays? OLB? 5T?
MuckerQuote Reply
Are there any punters that the Bears should be targeting in the first round?
MillertimeQuote Reply
Who do you think the 49ers stumble into, Ryno?
I’m guessing the Packers end up with another interior defensive lineman.
berseliusQuote Reply
Mucker,
He’s an OLB/nickel DE for me.
RynoQuote Reply
berselius,
I’d bet on Stanley or Buckner at this point, but I just have a feeling that Lawson could be the guy there.
GB really needs to address the LB position, don’t they?
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
Yeah,, but don’t really see them taking an ILB in the first round. They definitely need to get Matthews back outside though.
berseliusQuote Reply
Most wins in baseball: Nats, Cubs, Drake LaRoche’s former hangout. One of these is not like the others.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
Nats-Cubs next week is going to be fun.
berseliusQuote Reply
I don’t think Drake LaRoche ever got to hang out in the Cubs clubhouse, so…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
Fowler
Heyward
Bryant
Rizzo
Zobrist
Soler
Montero
Russell
Hendricks
berseliusQuote Reply
cerulean,
One of them isn’t based in Chicago!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Brewers Braun-less squadron
RF Santana
2b Gennett
C Lucroy
1B Carter
CF Nieuwenhuis
3B Hill
SS Villar
LF Flores
P Nelson
berseliusQuote Reply
I see the site has been updated so non-admins may not be able to post images right now. I’ll see if I can get that fixed tonight. If not, tomorrow morning. Can someone please confirm that is accurate?
dmick89Quote Reply
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
looks like I can post images, unless I’m an admin
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
Wenningtons Gorilla Cock,
WP must only overwrite that specific file for the major updates. This one was 4.5.1. I know they did it for 4.5 and they’ll probably do it for 4.6. Good to know. It’s interesting because the file I modify is the exact same as it’s been since at least 2009 so there’s no reason to ever overwrite it.
dmick89Quote Reply
Montero has a stiff back, Rosstakes his place, batting 8th.
Baez is the emergency catcher, though Montero could fill in for Ross if needed.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Sounds like it’s more of a precaution than anything, but Javy behind the plate would be something.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Gonna have to hit it like Javy’s HR in Cincy to get it out of Wrigley tonight.
dmick89Quote Reply
If the umpire makes calls like that with the wind blowing as it is, this game could go scoreless for nineteen innings.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
He’s not going to make calls like for Hendricks apparently.
dmick89Quote Reply
Inconsistent zone so far
dmick89Quote Reply
Evergreen post
uncle daveQuote Reply
Zobrist got some questionable balls. At least the ump is consistently inconsistent.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Get some hits.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Thank you, Kris.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Apparently Arrieta has been consuming in performance-enhancing food and doing performance-enhancing workouts.
Though he did also say that he thinks those who test positive for steroids shouldn’t get multiple chances, so he is obviously on drugs. I am disappoint.
ceruleanQuote Reply
If you must be imperious, demand runs.
And don’t tell me what not to tell you to do. (dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
I hate delayed punch outs by umpires.
dmick89Quote Reply
Joe has the bullpen up. Would be nice to see more of this going forward.
dmick89Quote Reply
Score some runs.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The wind really killed that one. But thanks anyway, Dex.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
And Nelson hits for himself. I’ll take it, I guess.
uncle daveQuote Reply
dmick89,
This might be the first time this year he pulled a starter earlier than he otherwise would have for the sake of using a pinch-hitter.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This umpire sucks.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Evergreen post
uncle daveQuote Reply
Addison!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’m ready for the every day Javier Baez era to begin.
Way to go, Addy
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I’d rather have Baez in the lineup than Jorge, for sure.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Yeah, that’s what I mean. Soler shouldn’t be starting unless a lefty is on the mound.
dmick89Quote Reply
This team is inevitable. I can imagine the opposition feeling like pianos and anvils are perched above their heads. Impending doom.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Nice job, Adam.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Wow, nice slide by Baez. I hope this call is overturned.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Wow. Nice slide.
dmick89Quote Reply
Yay!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
109 pitches in 5.1 innings for Nelson. There are very few bullpens that won’t have their soft underbelly exposed for 3.2 innings, especially since this seems to happen every night. Meanwhile, Hendricks being pulled at 69 is a strength of this team with all the capable long men. More like this in crucial moments with the pitcher’s spot batting, please Joe.
ceruleanQuote Reply
The BABIP gods finally smile on Rizzo.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
cerulean,
Those innings on the pen will add up over a series, too. Can’t complain.
uncle daveQuote Reply
Looks like we got the wild Strop today.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Damn it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I hate Ryan Braun. That is all.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Jesus
dmick89Quote Reply
That was strike three.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Strop got lucky there.
dmick89Quote Reply
Strop gets credited with a hold for that, I believe.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The Marmol is strong with that one.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Cutch —> increased his total for homeruns on the year by 150%.
ceruleanQuote Reply
I miss Kyle Schwarber. His AB’s were so much better than either Soler or Baez.
dmick89Quote Reply
This hereby ends the #neverRondon campaign the Cubs had going.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Great. Do we get wild Rondon, too?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
cerulean,
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
Nice.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’m sorry I ever doubted you even for a second, Hector. Could you ever forgive me?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I thought that was gone.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rondon: 1 IP, 1H, 1K. Poor outing. (dying laughing)
ceruleanQuote Reply
Wow, I just realized that Rizzo just had his first double of the season.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I grow weary of the Cardinals hitting baseballs so very hard.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
St Louis is now ahead of the Cubs in runs scored again. It’s more than a little crazy.
ceruleanQuote Reply
It’s almost as if that Shelby Miller trade was a huge mistake.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Who did they trade Miller for anyway?
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
I think it was Dansby Swanson and Inciarte
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Wrong antecedent. I was talking about the Cardinals. It was a veiled poke at any bestfans that might stumble upon this site. By accident, surely.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
And even with no doubles and a .203 BA his SLG was .580 before the game.
Suburban kidQuote Reply