OSS: Jon Lester helps himself. Three up: Jon Lester’s pitching line was just okay (6 IP, 3 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 3 SO), but he managed to get a two run single off of Syndergaard, picked off a Mets baserunner, and snagged a liner hit right up the middle to finish up his day. Anthony Rizzo continued his torrid …
Cubs 9, Reds 0
OSS: Erds gonna Erds. Three up: Cyle pitched a gem in some of the best hitters conditions you will ever see. Hendricks allowed just two hits and one walk with five strikeouts in seven shutout innings. He didn’t let up as the Cubs turned it into a laugher, saving the bullpen for next week’s games against deGrom and Thor. David …
Cubs 7, Reds 1
OSS: The Cole Hamels trade is working out okay so far. Three up: Cole Hamels threw a complete game, allowing just one run on a buncha bloops in the first, and cruising the rest of the way. Hamels’ updated line with the Cubs is 5 GS, 34 IP, 2ER, 8 BB, 30 SO, 0.79 ERA. It’s also nice to see …
Cubs 1, Pirates 0
OSS: All the double plays! Three up: The Cubs defense turned seven double plays in this one, which tied a MLB record, including one to end the game. Six were on the ground, and the Cubs also got a lineout DP to end the eighth. They have an okay defense this year, I guess. It must have been stupid frustrating …
Cubs 1, Pirates 0
OSS: Jon Lester bounces back in a big way. Three up: Jon Lester threw his first scoreless start in over a month and a half, giving up five hits and striking out eight in six innings. The strikeouts are great, perhaps even more encouraging is the lack of walks. More of this would sure be nice. Ian Happ provided all …
Cubs 4, Nationals 3
OSS: Bote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Three up: David Bote hit a walkoff grand slam to dead center and turned a shutout into a win. Bote’s homer was worth .901 WPA, which is about as big as it can get in a single PA. If WPA took into account the fact that he had two strikes at the time, it would be even bigger. …
Cubs 3, Royals 1
OSS: Javy Baez doing Jazy Baez things. Three up: Javy Baez continues to do it all. In this game he hit his 25th HR of the year to give the Cubs the lead in the sixth, then doubled in an insurance run in the eighth. He also made a spectacular diving play at third base, snagging a liner right on …
Cubs 9, Pirates 2
OSS: Cole Hamels strikes out nine in his Cubs debut. Three up: It wasn’t the most efficient start, but Cole Hamels struck out nine Pirates in five innings in his first appearance in a Cubs uniform. He also picked up his first hit as a Cub as the team jumped all over the Pirates pitchers early. Hamels allowed one unearned …
Cole Hamels ————> Cubs
The final details are still being worked out, but the Cubs are on the verge of acquiring Cole Hamels. The main asset trading hands seems to be salary relief for the Rangers, who were on the hook for $14m going forward on Hamel’s deal. Going the other way could be P Rollie Lacy (Myrtle Beach) and OF DJ Wilson (also …
Cubs 7, Cardinals 2
OSS: Three out of five ain’t bad. Three up: Jose Quintana gutted out seven innings and allowed just two runs, which was just what the bullpen needed after a couple of early hooks and a doubleheader in this series. Kyle Schwarber had the biggest hit in this game, a solo shot in the sixth inning that gave the Cubs the …