OSS: The best cure for a slump is to face the Reds.
Three up:
- Jason Heyward had the biggest hit of the day, a two-run double in the first that put the Cubs up 3-0. He was finally dropped to sixth in the lineup and had two hits and a walk.
- The Cubs had three home runs on the day, one by Willson Contreras, one by Addison Russell, and yet another by Kris Bryant to maintain his NL HR lead.
- Jeimer Candelario had a rough debut yesterday, but seemed more settled in today. He drew two walks and looked good on defense.
Three down:
- Bryant left the game after a collision with Albert Almora, the second near-ish collision of the day involving Bryant. It sounds like he was mostly removed because of the blowout, and he should be back in the lineup tomorrow. But man they need to work on their communication. The tough sky today could only excuse so much.
- Kyle Hendricks shut out the Reds while he was in the game, but racked up some big pitch counts early and left the game in the sixth. Unlike past starts this year said high pitch count was not accompanied by a big strikeout rate…but this is splitting hairs. I guess. It me the guy complaining about the pitcher who didn’t give up any runs.
- Jeff Garlin is the fucking worst stretch guest. At least it’s out of the way for this year now.
Comments
Jeff Garlin has never not been the worst stretch guest.
EdwinQuote Reply
Jeff Gordon would like a word.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
McLovin was apparently quite bad.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
He’s the worst one who keeps getting invited back though
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
There were about 12 awkward silences during that shitshow yesterday where it was clear the booth and their producer were mentally banning him from any future stretch, but then at the end of it all, Len reaches over and hugs him? That better have been a farewell forever hug.
SKQuote Reply
The most surprising thing was the number of people complaining that he was telling the same “jokes” on both the radio and tv broadcast. Who the fuck switches feeds for more Jeff Garlin? (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
I thought the Harry renditions they were showing on the new scoreboard earlier in the year were pretty cool. That’s what they should always do.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’ve always disliked the guy, but I don’t ever remember a stretch that was as annoying as yesterday. He was in spectacular form and Len’s hug at the end tells me we can expect more of him.
dmick89Quote Reply
Maybe salt in a few Ernies and Ronnies too.
berseliusQuote Reply
So apparently this was written: http://sports.cbslocal.com/2016/06/29/is-chicago-cubs-phenom-kris-bryant-is-overrated/
dmick89Quote Reply
berselius,
That would be fine, but my fear is that the tent becomes too big. Maybe limit it to Harry and those who have a flag hanging on a flag pole. That seems fairly inclusive of the all-time greats and gives Harry at least 75% of the games.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Current Cubs announcers please or just have an audio recording. I actually don’t like seeing those reruns of Harry et all (I’ve seen Ernie and maybe Santo too) on the big video board. They are gone guys, not forgotten, but we can’t bring them back.
I know they need to break the monotony of the play by play, but I’d prefer booth guests that are baseball-related. Couldn’t they interview a starting pitcher on his day off? A guy on the DL? Maybe a prospect they just signed who came to Wrigley to take BP? I always like it when they have Theo or Ricketts in the booth. Don’t want any country singers or actors please.
SKQuote Reply
Harry is in danger of being remembered as a guy who sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame. I enjoyed him (for awhile at least) as an announcer and personality, and while he was great at that shtick he invented for the stretch, it’s not what I would want to remember him for.
SKQuote Reply
Unfortunately, I think Harry is going to be remembered by most of baseball as the guy who sang the 7th inning stretch at Wrigley. Once the Cubs carried on that tradition that was Harry’s legacy. Unfortunate.
dmick89Quote Reply
Kris Bryant is at 4.1 bWAR and 4.3 fWAR on this young season. And he’s just heating up.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
JonKneeV,
Overrated
SKQuote Reply
SK,
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
Kris Bryant had been the team’s best player, but Javier Baez is the team MVP.
dmick89Quote Reply
I would just have Pat and Ron do it every day if possible. If that can’t happen, Len and JD. If that can’t happen, just play Harry Caray audio recordings. When you can conceive of a scenario in which the cast of Swamp Fuckers or whatever those shows are do the stretch, it’s time to scale it back.
MylesQuote Reply
dmick89,
I didn’t read it but was surprised you hadn’t even seen it yet. It pretty much torched Twitter for like 48 hours after it was shown to exist. I believe the Chicago CBS guys invited the author onto their radio show so they could take him down for such a shitty take.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I’m not too fond of the Cubs twitter, so I hadn’t heard of it yet either
SKQuote Reply
Same here. I just happened across the article earlier today. Made me wish I had the time to write an article about it like I would have a few years ago. Bryant hits worse against the top pitchers? That’s shocking!
dmick89Quote Reply
Willson Contreras has a lot more power than I was expecting. I don’t think he’ll be a 40 home run guy or anything, but I think he’s got a shot to hit 25 in a full season, though it remains to be seen how much catching every day would take a toll on his hitting.
dmick89Quote Reply
I know it’s cute to say that the Cubs number 5 starter when talking about how good Kyle Hendricks has been, but he’s been better than Hammel since at lead midway through last season. Hammel is the team’s number 5 starter. I can’t think of any situation in which I’d prefer Hammel in a playoff rotation over Hendricks.
dmick89Quote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
Zobrist (RF)
Bryant
Rizzo
Contreras
Russell
Heyward (CF)
Ross
Lackey
Baez
berseliusQuote Reply
I hope Willson Contreras never gets sent down. Just trade or release Montero and let Willson get the reps. Montero is batting .194/.314/.323 this year.
MylesQuote Reply
Defensive communication!
dmick89Quote Reply
Don’t walk Hamilton, please.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Agreed. I’d much rather see Contreras behind the plate than Montero.
dmick89Quote Reply
Damn it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
What is Billy’s OBP against Cubs pitching?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This isn’t starting well for Lackey.
dmick89Quote Reply
Jesus.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Stupid.
dmick89Quote Reply
Someone needs to talk with Lackey.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Or Ross. But especially Lackey.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Lackey’s shows of emotion don’t usually bother me much, but he really needs to keep his head in the game.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
What could have been…
Fowler
Zobrist
Bryant
Rizzo
Schwarber
Contreras
Heyward
Russell
Pitcher
JonKneeVQuote Reply
Good play by Contreras, but still, ugh
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Memo to Cubs pitchers: you don’t have to paint the corners with Hamilton in the batter’s box.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Lackey is not good today.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m amazed the Reds thought a sac bunt was a good play with one out and the infield playing aggressively. Makes me appreciate Maddon more.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Of course.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Zack Cozart (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Cubs lose
dmick89Quote Reply
Who put this curse on Cubs starters and why is only Hendricks immune?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Stop striking out against this bad pitcher, please.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Go to hell, Jerry Meals.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
That was a shit call.
dmick89Quote Reply
This sucks.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m normally fine with Maddon’s lineups, but why bat Baez so low against a lefty?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
And just as I type that, he hits a homer.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Baez! Bryant!
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
It’s a good question. I’d rather have Heyward or Ross in that 9th spot.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m liking this game a lot more now.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Addy!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
Reds gotta Reds
berseliusQuote Reply
I’m not a huge fan of the way balls are flying out of the park this year. But sometimes it’s nice.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Jerry Meals is just baiting the Cubs now.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Was he the one that Rizzo was bitching at yesterday?
berseliusQuote Reply
Russell!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89Quote Reply
Addison Muscle
berseliusQuote Reply
ADDISON CRUSHELL
SKQuote Reply
Pretty stupid call to ask Baez to bunt there.
dmick89Quote Reply
#neverbunt
berseliusQuote Reply
Really shitty bunting form
SKQuote Reply
That was a promising rally we had there.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’m not certain it was, but it sure was ugly.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
(I actually hate when people declare a bunt call stupid without having any math or evidence to back it up.)
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Baez can’t sac bunt. He’s looked terrible doing it every time I’ve seen it.
Not a bad spot to sacrifice, but definitely nor a good idea with Baez up.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
This isn’t math. It’s just recognizing who can and can’t lay down a sac bunt. Baez is OK when trying to bunt for a hit, but is probably the worst person on the team at trying to sac bunt. Worst I’ve seen anyway. Maybe CJ Edwards is worse. Doubt it, but maybe.
dmick89Quote Reply
Billy the Cub killer.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Shit
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
From what I remember, the math is always bad unless it’s a pitcher at the plate (and even then, maybe it’s still bad), you only need one run, or complicated game theory reasons.
FWIW, Baez occasionally bunts for base hits and probably does it better than most, but that feels different from a deliberate sac bunt
berseliusQuote Reply
SSS etc etc but good to see ian happ staying red hot after getting promoted.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Yeah, I’d say good bunter, but for whatever reason he looks awful when trying to sac bunt. It’s strange, but I’ve seen enough from him to not ever want to see it again. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
Iglesias’s ambition is the be the closer — for a team that never wins.
SKQuote Reply
Would a trade for a LF really be all that much of a difference over playing Baez every day? I’m mostly worried that Baez is who they’d have to trade to get anyone decent.
SKQuote Reply
Crap.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
SK,
Depends on how good the left fielder is, obviously. (dying laughing). Also depends on how good you think Baez is. I think he’s a great fielder, but I’d rather not see him bat against righties.
I’d like to keep Baez too and think they can even in a trade for a LF. I don’t think the Cubs see LF as an area of need. They think a lot more highly of Soler than I do.
dmick89Quote Reply
“This game has lacked flow”.
I love JD
SKQuote Reply
dmick89,
I see Schwarber as the LF so wouldn’t like to trade for anything but a rental. I have no idea what the status is of Braun, Bruce, etc. other than they have been mentioned as available. I’m starting to have more faith in Baez than Soler of becoming a consistent hitter (and he’s clearly a way more valuable fielder and baserunner) and maybe even a really good one.
And he goes and strikes out, thanks Javy
SKQuote Reply
This game sucks.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
yeah, I agree, but I still think Baez is a platoon player. His defense is something else though. He’s not untradeable in my opinion, but I’d love to keep that defense around. I think it’s more likely Soler gets traded, but the Cubs seem really high on him (for some reason). The problem with Soler is the guy is an injury waiting to happen at this point.
I just wish Schwarber was healthy and if so, we’re not having this discussion.
dmick89Quote Reply
When was the last time the Cubs were able to use Strop and Rondon in a close game? Seems like it was last year.
dmick89Quote Reply
With Warren starting tomorrow, there’s a decent chance this series ends up sucking.
dmick89Quote Reply
Thanks a lot, Pedro.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
And he’s going up against the only decent Reds starter.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
With the loss today, the 538 ELO forecasts will probably have the Cubs below 100 wins for the first time all season.
dmick89Quote Reply
Yeah, I’m not sure how smart the whole 6-man rotation was right before the all-star break. Kind of screwed the bullpen and tomorrow’s game is going to be tougher than it should be.
dmick89Quote Reply
Well, I’d rather have bad Strop on a day like today than when we have a lead.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
SKQuote Reply
dmick89,
I understand it, with the tough schedule made worse with the makeup game. Also, Warren pitched effectively the last two years.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Glad to see the moderator approved my comment (dying laughing)
SKQuote Reply
18 LOB today. Have to hope those RISP numbers will regress
berseliusQuote Reply
The good news with all the losing is that maybe the fine crowd at Bleacher Nation will commit mass suicide, making the interweb nice and pleasant for the successful stretch run.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Even though I knew the Cubs would not likely be a “great” team at the end of the season, why am I so disappointed that they are only really good?
dmick89Quote Reply
Smokestack Lightning,
Is BN as bad as BCB used to be (or still is)? I don’t go there so I have no clue.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
The comment section can be a bit of a shit factory at times. One of the downfalls from being a popular blog is you end up attracting a lot of dumb.
EdwinQuote Reply
I was just thinking to myself that they’ve technically got him slotted in the #3 spot ever since that first rotation reshuffling.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Edwin,
i like how the comment section is hidden now. you have to click “show comments” to actually see them. the 0.002 seconds of effort required for me to do this has been enough of a hurdle for me to never read them anymore and it has made the site much more tolerable.
other than that, i think that the contributors are all good writers. the polyanna-ish viewpoint gets tiring at times but whatever. and the content quantity is impressive.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
I think that’s why I stopped going there. The Cubs could do no wrong. People are free to be fans however they choose, but some objectivity is needed if I’m going to be reading about it. Take that article about Kris Bryant being overrated. It’s nonsense, but the author does make at least one solid argument: he strikes out a lot. On the other hand, he’s improved his strikeout rate by quite a lot in just a year. Not to mention, what he’s doing in his second season compared to his first is impressive. Despite a significantly lower BABIP, he’s been quite a bit better at the plate. Overrated? Not a chance. Overrated in that he’s not as good as the average Cubs fan thinks? More than likely.
dmick89Quote Reply
Yeah, an argument could easily be made he’s the team’s 3rd best starter. i’d probably still lean toward Lackey in a game 3 if I had a choice, but it’s a toss up.
dmick89Quote Reply
Zobrist: 3,013,407
Murphy: 3,013,319
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’m so glad I voted for Zobrist 30 times. Murphy has better offensive numbers, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting him beat the Cubs again.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
Ya. He’s not the best player in the MLB but he might be the most valuable. Carlos Correa is really the only player I can think of that’s close. He’s cheap through 2021 and looks to be a 6+ WAR player every year if things continue. He could be a peak 9-10 WAR player.
JonKneeVQuote Reply
ftr, I’d be fine with the ASG instituting a rule preventing members from one team from taking too many places in the starting lineup. I’m not sure what kind of rule would work for that, though.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
/Un-shuns ASG selection talk
No Yadi in the ASG (dying laughing)
/re-shun
berseliusQuote Reply
http://obstructedview.net/cubs-5-reds-9-6-5-16/
berseliusQuote Reply
I stopped by the other day and a little bit today. Yeah, it pretty much is. Meatheadery abounds. Like claiming the big problem is that this team doesn’t want to win.
Ah. Right. That’s what it is.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply