OSS: Cubs hit 17 singles to outlast Twins in brutal heat.
Three up:
- Almora, Zobrist, Bote, and Heyward all had big games by WPA on the back of a combined 10-14 with four walks. They were smart enough to make all of those hits singles, as running in this game was not a good idea given that four players, including Almora, left due to heat-related issues.
- Only three walks for Tyler Chatwood! #Progress. We’ll ignore the seven runs since he was in line for the win when he left the ball game. Clearly this is a guy who knows how to win.
- Pedro Strop got five outs without giving up a run, which is better than pretty much any other pitcher could say in this game with these conditions.
Three down:
- I listened to this game on the radio, and even I felt like I was sweating just listening to it. I wonder how hot it would have to get before MLB would consider postponing. I’m sure Rangers fans can relate.
- Duensing still looks kind of bad, though it’s hard to take anything away from this particular game.
- Given the temps and the length of this game, I’m guessing we get more of Chris Giminez tomorrow.
Next up: The Cubs go for the sweep with Jon Lester on the mound against old punching bag Lance Lynn. Given how much Lester sweats in April games, the grounds crew is going to need to install a bucket next to the mound.
Comments
Wasn’t it 18 singles? They had 20 hits, right?
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Doubles by Happ, Baez, La Stella from what I can tell.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I didn’t realize they gave Baez a double, but I guess that was the only option. It seemed like a single though. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
If you had Almora and Heyward carrying this offense, please step forward and claim your prize.
tablet daveQuote Reply
tablet dave,
It’s been fun to watch those two step up. I have a feeling that if the Cubs don’t start getting significant production from Rizzo and Bryant that they don’t have much of a chance of reaching the playoffs.
dmick89Quote Reply
Baez: 2.3
Bryant: 2.3
Schwarber: 2.3
Zobrist, 2.2
Russell: 2.1
Almora, Jr.: 2.1
Contreras: 2.0
Heyward: 1.4
Happ: 1.2
Rizzo: 0.9
Heyward and Rizzo are the only starters who don’t have at least 2 fWAR. It would be nice if they had a couple standouts, but this is pretty solid production up and down the lineup.
All of the above have a wRC+ of at least 106 (Rizzo). Russell’s is 107. Even Happ, for as ridiculously bad as he can look at times, has a wRC+ of 116.
dmick89Quote Reply
On the other hand, Lester is the only pitcher with more than 0.6 fWAR. Lester has 1.1. Coming in at 2nd, 3rd and 4th on the team in fWAR are Edwards, Cishek and Strop.
This rotation sucks.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I don’t think they’ve hit their stride yet and by the end of the season, they will overall not suck. But I’m pretty hopeful.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I cant remember seeing a difference between FIP and ERA as big as Lester’s this late in the season.
MylesQuote Reply
Just like we drew it up, our playoff rotation is going to Jon Lester, Mike Montgomery, and Duane Underwood at this point.
MylesQuote Reply
dmick89,
That’s actually the biggest source of hope from my perspective. Heyward has improved but only to the level of the most modest expectations we would have had for him. Almora has been good, but not to any stratospheric levels. Baez is playing out of his mind at times but, again, not to a level of cumulative outrageousness that seems unsustainable. The trend you would most expect to see change significantly would be the relative disappointment of Bryant and Rizzo.
andcountingQuote Reply
Duensing ———> DL (shoulder)
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
They had to list some reason for going to the DL. May as well be the shoulder.
dmick89Quote Reply
Myles,
When will Eddie Butler be back?
dmick89Quote Reply
Ugh. Very costly walk there.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
He made his first rehab appearance in Iowa yesterday….based on the results it might be a while.
berseliusQuote Reply
Ugh. Very costly popup there.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Lester doesn’t allow weak contact anymore.
dmick89Quote Reply
No idea why Russell was showing bunt there.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Lester!!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
JONNY
berseliusQuote Reply
At least that goes both ways (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Lester crushed that.
dmick89Quote Reply
that was awesome
SKQuote Reply
Rizzo!!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
aw yeah
SKQuote Reply
Great work by the offense to give Lester time to cool down after circling the bases (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Lester has significantly improved at the plate since joining the Cubs. He’s not Zambrano yet, but good DeRosa he was awful when he got here. He was better at throwing to first than he was at swinging the bat three years ago. Also RIZZO!
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
So you’re saying there’s hope for Quintana?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Javy!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
¡¡¡¡¡Javy!!!!!
andcountingQuote Reply
El Mago!
berseliusQuote Reply
BYE LANCE
SKQuote Reply
Schwarber!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I think this team likes hot weather.
berseliusQuote Reply
Contreras!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
And Twins pitching.
andcountingQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
Lester homering twice in this inning would be the real capper on this series (dying laughing).
berseliusQuote Reply
Half of the Cubs hits with 2 outs and RISP this year came in that inning.
andcountingQuote Reply
I’m sure one of youi jabronis has already made this comment somewhere but seriously what the fuck did chili davis say to these guys
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
4-0 Reds now.
berseliusQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
He must have told them that they looked tired.
berseliusQuote Reply
Peraza!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
“Hey guys, I know our pitching sucks, but Jim Hickey’s job is a lot more secure than mine. Help me out.”
dmick89Quote Reply
Brewers lose.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
How come Russell left the game?
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
only half listening (on phone with parents) at the time but i think he collided with someone in the field making a play
SKQuote Reply
Guys—I am concerned about the Cubs offense
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
that was a pretty sickly looking inning right there
SKQuote Reply
Stupid Dillon Maples.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Why is Maples still in the game? Why is he even on the team?
dmick89Quote Reply
Dillon Maples sucks.
dmick89Quote Reply
Jesus.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Jesus shit
SKQuote Reply
I don’t think 11 is going to win this. I guess the Cubs needed a bigger lead. (dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
This Dixon Marbles character is not very good at pitching.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
If the Cubs didn’t non-tender Rondon, they wouldn’t be in this position.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
what a slide
SKQuote Reply
i’ve never seen a baserunner do that before.
SKQuote Reply
Ugh.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Jesus, Willson.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bote’s walk up music is Rebel Rebel
SKQuote Reply
What a waste.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Once Morrow came up I’d rather have seen Baez try to steal home on one of the first two pitches.
dmick89Quote Reply
Schwarber at least hit the ball hard. Contreras just chased pitches out of the zone.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It just seems like bad planning to have Morrow hitting there with La Stella on the bench.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I don’t think Almora needed to slide there.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Here comes the home run.
dmick89Quote Reply
Ugh!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Willson is having a bad couple of innings.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
All’s sweep that ends sweep!
SKQuote Reply
I think this Aaron Judge guy might be good.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
http://www.obstructedview.net/cubs-11-twins-10/
berseliusQuote Reply