Somehow the Cubs are still winning, so we got together to talk a bit about the frustrating slumps and silly losses in between the fact that the Cubs continue to stay near the top of the standings. We discuss the stupid injury luck, poor yet strangely effective bullpen performances, the rotation depth, and some bonus talk about the awesomeness that is Pat Hughes.
You can check out the podcast page or just click on the embedded players below. You can also use the sidebar to get to our Apple Podcast pages and leave a nice review and rating if it pleases you.
/
RSS Feed
One more shout out to a hopefully revitalized Kyle Hendricks
https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/kyle-hendricks-returns-and-strikes-out-five-in-cubs-win
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bah, almost nice
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 407 9/9:
Rarity: 68
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Interesting, my desktop just reverted to a mobile format (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Not an impressive showing
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 407 9/9:
Rarity: 73
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
PerkinsQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I had the same thing happen for a few minutes, I figured it was some dumb firewall thing on my end (dying laughing). Seems to be okay now.
berseliusQuote Reply
Random glitches are the best
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Not that I’m complaining, but it seems like the Cardinals fired Mike Shildt and Mike Mathemy for a whole lot less than Oli Marmol has failed to do.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
We don’t know enough (nor care) about the Cardinals to really discuss it intelligently but I think we were just delighted that they suck, the Contreras injury did suck though /podcast plug
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Perkins,
Oli Marmol is better at managing upward, which IIRC is the reason Schildt got fired.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Possibly the only thing moving upwards is the probability that he’ll be fired by this offseason (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Adbert –> IL
Cuas –> probably never even left for Iowa
I promise we did not will this into existence
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Whether you believe the injuries are “legit” or not, that’s pretty rough luck
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Ego contusion is a legit injury.
andcountingQuote Reply
The beat suggests it’s a legit injury that is of concern 😟
Rice CubeQuote Reply
They are going to do tests so we’ll find out how bad within a couple days 😔
https://twitter.com/M_Montemurro/status/1790134736356020613?t=kiYsTCqRmyUSIa8Kg1DeAg&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Today’s squadron
LF Tauchman
RF Suzuki
CF Bellinger
3B Morel
DH Happ
SS Hoerner
1B Busch
2B Mastrobuoni
C Amaya
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Cubs six bases loaded walks (but still lost) is on this week’s Starkville strange but true (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Shota OK in 1st inning, may have gotten slightly screwed by the umps but no damage yet *sweats*
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I would like that version of Morel and less of the error-prone Morel please and thank you
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Whew. First Counsell ejection and a flashback to that one flyball that Suzuki lost in the lights last year. (He caught this one, thank goodness.)
andcountingQuote Reply
Seiya just keeps crushing outs. It’s mind boggling.
andcountingQuote Reply
Luck hates the Cubs
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Lame-ass bullshit.
andcountingQuote Reply
Annoying inning
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Sigh
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Cubs’ luck has been bad lately, but it hasn’t been as bad as Ian Happ.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Extremely poor decision to swing first pitch especially when it led to that result
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I would complain less had the ball ended up over the wall of course
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Hoping for good Morel news but he never wants to come out of a game… 😔
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Pirates also vexing
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Brewers lose
PerkinsQuote Reply
TRADEZ
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/cubs-to-acquire-tyson-miller.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Not bad
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 408 9/9:
Rarity: 10
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
PerkinsQuote Reply
Miller —> Cubs
Lovelady —-> DFA
berseliusQuote Reply
I want to comment on this and the rant I just heard Matt Spiegel (who really does seem to be getting dumber by the day) go on comparing the best at bat (not an at bat) ever by Morel to the mortal sin of Happ’s GIDPOTFP.
It wasn’t a bad decision by Happ. The only difference between Happ’s at bat and Morel’s walk is that Morel swung and missed on the first pitch. That’s it. Happ’s swing/timing/vision/mojo is just horribly off right now. It’s toxic-zombie-shit bad right now, but it will get better eventually. I’m sure he could change something about his approach and it would have been better in that situation, but I doubt it’s any one thing he could do differently. He made the worst kind of contact and it was hugely frustrating, but it wasn’t a bad decision per se. Dude’s throwing 95 with a nasty slider, it’s not like you can just decide your way to a hit. He’s in a funk and it sucks.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I think it was good that he hit it hard, it was bad that it was pounded into the ground right to a guy to start a DP, so in retrospect it was a bad decision but had he gotten a different result nobody would have complained, we’re only human
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Dammit
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That’s exactly what an AI masquerading as a human would say
berseliusQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I’m almost relieved that his suckitude may be injury-related rather than the yips or just losing it.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Morel is playing, DHing today
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
No, my man. A bad outcome does not indicate a bad decision.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Like, if the dude can’t find the strike zone, swinging at the first pitch is not great. But if a guy is pumping fastballs over the heart of the plate there’s no benefit to working the count. It’s Happ’s execution that is hot garbage right now. You don’t get extra points for taking the first strike. It was a good pitch to swing at and a fine time to do it. He needs to hit better, not decide better.
andcountingQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Full base ball squadron
SS Nico
RF Suzuki
1B Belli
DH Morel
3B Wisdom
LF Tauchman
2B Madrigal
C Amaya
CF PCA
SP Taillon
berseliusQuote Reply
Counsell agrees with RC, (dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
berselius,
Now no Nico (hamstring). This should be interesting.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
uffda, Cubs are cursed
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Hey, the Cubs have drafted a shortstop with nine out of every 10 pics the last seven years, this shouldn’t be a problem.
andcountingQuote Reply
Did I miss Jed’s entrance to Cubs Con swinging a black cat while walking under a ladder and stepping on a mirror?
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
bump, following Morel getting hit in the same spot as yesterday 😐
berseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing) at Bert’s turn of phrase
berseliusQuote Reply
Not such a good day huh
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Picked a good day to not be distracted by the Cubs
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 408 9/9:
Rarity: 7
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Honus Wagner was more popular than I expected.
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 409 9/9:
Rarity: 17
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
PerkinsQuote Reply
I used Andy Van Slyke, but the big surprise was Brandon Inge
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 409 9/9:
Rarity: 16
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Hey, it’s the anniversary of the Polanco!
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/05/15/nine-years-ago-today-gregory-polanco-simply-fell-down/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nico and Happ still sitting, probably worrisome at this point
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-braves/2024/05/15/747123/preview
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This early season rash of injuries feels like the kind of thing that gets the trainer fired.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
We were remarking near the end of spring that the Cubs had been remarkably lucky, but just like Shohei’s salary, most of these injuries appear to have been deferred
Rice CubeQuote Reply
5 gold gloves out of the lineup, NBD.
andcountingQuote Reply
The good news is the Cubs will not be shut out tonight (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
A fucking run!
andcountingQuote Reply
This inning is a triple shy of the cycle.
andcountingQuote Reply
Somewhere Ron Washington is driving backwards in a bus straight for PCA for failing to get the bases-loaded bunt down. (dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
Runs!
PerkinsQuote Reply
andcounting,
That…was stupid (dying laughing)
He doubled down on running his player over with the bus several times too (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
A bit of a bummer the Cubs probably won’t bat around again this inning, but they are still wasting some pitches so yay
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
They batted around.
andcountingQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I don’t mind bunting runs in from third, I’m a big fan of the concept. But Wash’s blatant disregard of the fact that that pitcher was all over the place and the bunt had no chance of success is just a terrible look.
andcountingQuote Reply
Assad is 100% the hero of Team Unathletic. He looks like a 5th-string JV O-lineman but he’s all-world on the mound.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Oh I meant in the next inning hehe
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[bart Simpson chalkboard meme dot gif; t=“I will not switch to Cubs radio in the 5th inning”]
andcountingQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
(dying laughing)
I’m evergreen cranky about that topic. (dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
Ah the prodigal large adult son
Rice CubeQuote Reply
PCA a little speed demon
Rice CubeQuote Reply
By the rules of baseball, wherein the Chicago Cubs outscored their opponent, they have earned a victory today
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Getting out of Atlanta with one of three is about the best realistic hope, so at least they managed that.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
There was hope that they could steal the first game, but I’ll take a .500 road trip
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This is good
https://www.mlb.com/cubs/video/jesse-chavez-in-play-run-s-to-seiya-suzuki?t=t112-default-vtp
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs are 25-19 despite having played the toughest part of their schedule with injuries to multiple star players. I think there’s a decent chance this team wins 95+.
PerkinsQuote Reply
It’s aight
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 410 9/9:
Rarity: 22
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Series Mini-Preview
Thursday: Jared Jones vs Justin Steele 6:40 CT
Friday: Paul Skenes vs Kyle Hendricks 1:20 CT
Saturday: Bailey Falter vs Shota Imanaga 1:20 CT
Sunday: Mitch Keller vs Jameson Taillon 1:20 CT
Gonna be a tough day for the people managing the pitch cameras on Friday, they’re going to need to recalibrate every half inning (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
My right column is a real who’s who of aughts Cubs CF.
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 410 9/9:
Rarity: 14
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
PerkinsQuote Reply
This is cool
Rice CubeQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
DH Tauchman
RF Suzuki
CF Bellinger
3B Morel
LF Happ
1B Busch
2B Madrigal
SS Mastrobuoni
C Amaya
berseliusQuote Reply
They must really think Nico will be ok if he’s not on the IL yet
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
He’d better be quick, since madrigal doesn’t seem interested in turning double plays.
andcountingQuote Reply
Baseball!
andcountingQuote Reply
Cubs need to outscore Steele sigh
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Steele hasn’t seemed as ace-like in 2024 so far.
PerkinsQuote Reply
PiratEs
PerkinsQuote Reply
Far too much of this game has risen and fallen on the shoulders of Nick Madrigal.
andcountingQuote Reply
This was basically Steele’s loss but the rest of the team didn’t do enough to get him off the hook either
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Feels like I could have done better today
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 411 9/9:
Rarity: 24
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
PerkinsQuote Reply
I think they rushed him back too soon, though the reasons are understandable. It’s basically a mini spring training right now.
berseliusQuote Reply
Skenes day two point oh base ball squadron
DH Tauchman
LF Happ
RF Bellinger
3B Morel
1B Busch
SS Mastrobuoni
2B Madrigal
CF PCA
C Amaya
SP Cyle
Still no Hoerner :/
berseliusQuote Reply
Allegedly Porter Hodge was sighted in Wrigley Field
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Tada
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Is it technically a re-call if he’s never made his mlb debut (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
If you’re not in the blackout area this is actually the free game of the day on MLB dot TV
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This is amazing
Rice CubeQuote Reply
berselius,
I guess it’s technically just a call!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
berseliusQuote Reply
I dunno guys, I would generally try to avoid doing anything that might get me shot by a cop, would enjoy reading the court docs when they show up
https://sports.yahoo.com/attorneys-say-scottie-scheffler-likely-wont-face-felony-conviction-probably-about-a-zero-percent-chance-174416167.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Let’s go Cubbies love da Cubs
berseliusQuote Reply
These hats are hideous
berseliusQuote Reply
Well, this will be a long day
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Pirates fan co-worker: “He’s going to be an amazing Astro someday”
berseliusQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Good luck never:
Running
Talking
Having a phone
Having a candy bar
Having pockets
Following a cop’s instructions
Being near a cop
Making a U-turn
Driving over the speed limit
Driving under the speed limit
Driving the speed limit
Rolling your eyes
Closing your eyes
Crossing your eyes
Dotting your i’s
Playing “In Your Eyes”
Talking to cops
Not talking to cops
Sleeping in your bed at home
Answering the door
Not answering the door
Other infractions as noted upon weapon discharge
andcountingQuote Reply
Michael Busch has seen more than a third of Skenes’s pitches.
andcountingQuote Reply
Cubs need to lean into the Homer Simpson boxing strategy of letting Skenes tire himself out, it seems.
PerkinsQuote Reply
ok second time through next inning (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
andcounting,
There’s a Family Guy meme for that given who did the alleged infracting here
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That Grandal RBI single scored the guy from second because there were two outs. Had there been one out the runner probably would have had to stay at 2B. Baseball is so weird like that.
andcountingQuote Reply
These types of games really do build character for me, the suffering Cubs fan (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oh Pete
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rowdy Tellez is one of those guys who inexplicably always crushes me in MLB The Show, so of course he’s part of this onslaught.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Wonder if they should swap Kyle and Wesneski in the pitching hierarchy
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Crane Kenney enters the booth during a game where the Cubs are getting blown out AND Kerry Wood-ed and somehow brings the mood down.
andcountingQuote Reply
Feels like I’m rewatching this week’s beer league softball game this inning.
berseliusQuote Reply
Now they’re trying for a de facto rain-delay strategy where he has to come out of the game because he hasn’t pitched for an hour. Hell of an accomplishment if they can pull it off without a pitch clock violation.
andcountingQuote Reply
Now I’m glad the Cubs didn’t extend Hendricks beyond this season, but it’s sad to see him like this.
PerkinsQuote Reply
He’s about 3 months from 10 years of service so it will be interesting to see what happens next
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Imperfect!
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
berseliusQuote Reply
Anecdotally, Nick Madrigal strikes out a lot for a guy known for not striking out
Rice CubeQuote Reply
A RUN
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Accursed Adam Duvall
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 411 9/9:
Rarity: 22
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
Rice CubeQuote Reply
While something brews in Toronto, it seems Ohtani’s interpreter’s bookie ensnared another teammate into the web of deceit
https://twitter.com/TishaESPN/status/1791628848905273444?t=OiUDMYlfS4IBeNWZ_Bro4g&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Let us give thanks to the baseball gods that Milwaukee has been unable to get much separation in the division to this point
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bah, Greinke and Kershaw
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 412 9/9:
Rarity: 35
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
PerkinsQuote Reply
Whee
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 412 9/9:
Rarity: 18
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Just put Nico on the IL already. Or don’t. I can’t tell Jed what to do.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I honestly think they’re just waiting to activate Dansby as the corresponding move at this point
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Those Armed Forces Day hats are a war crime.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Getting through the top of the 2nd on 6 pitches INCLUDING a strikeout is cheat-code shit, Shōta.
andcountingQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Or vice versa.
andcountingQuote Reply
Morel defense is adequate 👍
Rice CubeQuote Reply
For their next trick, the Cubs should try to avoid ground balls
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Imanaga benefitting from his defense
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Through 7 half innings the starters have thrown a grand total of 76 pitches. We’re on pace for a double Maddux.
andcountingQuote Reply
For their next trick, they should hit fly balls over the fence instead of into the outfielders’ gloves.
PerkinsQuote Reply
andcounting,
Double Maddices?
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Sure! And it’s still looking possible.
andcountingQuote Reply
12 half innings. 128 pitches.
andcountingQuote Reply
Imanagaaaaaaaaaaaa
Rice CubeQuote Reply
What a performance.
andcountingQuote Reply
Outdated meaningless stats be damned, the Cubs have to score here and get Shota the win.
andcountingQuote Reply
A (real) hit!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
They’re juuuuuust missing on so many swings. It’s maddening.
andcountingQuote Reply
About time one of those got through (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
M ——> quasi-inverse
berseliusQuote Reply
Imanaga still amazing
berseliusQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
Just need one and they barely got it
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I don’t know how you pitch to Morel there.
andcountingQuote Reply
New celebratory shit –> https://www.obstructedview.net/walk-off-a-hero-by-the-seat-of-ones-pants/
Rice CubeQuote Reply