OSS: Cubs hit four homers and Javy steals home*.
Three up:
- The Cubs blasted a bunch of homers to put this game out of reach, including two by Kyle Schwarber. But before then, they plated several runs on good baserunning. Javy Baez's steal of home, set up by a steal of second and a throwing error by Chris Stewart was most notable, but the Cubs managed to take extra bases on Happ's RBI single in the first and Bryant scored from first on a Rizzo double in the third.
- Everyone in the starting lineup had at least one hit, including an RBI single from Jose Quintana as the Cubs blew things wide open in the fifth. Even Rene Rivera had three hits.
- Quintana had a rocky start to the game, including two consecutive two strike HBPs, but from the sounds of it he didn't get much help from his defense or the BABIP dragon either. He cruised the rest of the way, facing just one batter above the minimum for the rest of his outing. Best of all, he struck out nine while walking none.
Three down:
- Yeah, those aformentioned HBPs were not ideal.
- The Cubs had Nova on the ropes in the first inning, but only came away with one run. I think we can forgive them for this, this time around.
- I don't have the play index-fu to look this up, but this has to be one of the worst WPA performances for a guy who hit two homers in a game. Schwarber went 2-6 with 2 HR and 4 RBI, what was good for a WPA of -.072. He struck out twice and grounded out before homering to cap off the Cubs offensive explosion in the fifth.
Next up: The Cubs play a four game set with the Braves at Wrigley, then see the Pirates again next week for four games in Pittsburgh.
*This image is more Reds centric, but I think the sentiment holds.
Comments
We are back!
EdwinQuote Reply
War Bear has been worth 1.0 fWAR as of today, which is pretty remarkable considering he was about -0.5 around June or so.
PerkinsQuote Reply
If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that 6 cubs hit 20+ homers before September, I would not have been surprised, but I would have thought Russell, Zobrist, or even Heyward would have been on the list.
ceruleanQuote Reply
At the pace of the last three games, the Cubs will win 102 games and the Dodgers will lose 71.
ceruleanQuote Reply
If Bryant goes insane over the next 20 games he has an outside shot at another MVP. Realistically, he’d end up 3rd or 4th.
MylesQuote Reply
Beginning to formulate the thought process that culminates in us beating the Dodgers in the NLCS this year.
MylesQuote Reply
Myles,
Hopefully in five games.
berseliusQuote Reply
Myles,
I don’t think Bryant has any shot at winning the MVP. Rizzo has the better numbers and more than likely ends up higher than Bryant in the MVP voting.
dmick89Quote Reply
Can’t wait for the coming skid after a Conan meme AND a “We’re back.”
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
If Seagar or Turner get really hot in September one of them could win the MVP, but outside of that, I think Stanton wins pretty easily.
dmick89Quote Reply
Bryce Harper appears to be out indefinitely. WAS does seem to be built for a short series better than the Cubs, though. Having to face Scherzer twice is tough.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Why does our government keep spending on disaster relief aid? Isn’t that just incentivising hurricanes and floods to keep happening?
EdwinQuote Reply
Perkins,
Is Strasburg healthy?
EdwinQuote Reply
Edwin,
He just threw a complete game in which he hit a HR, so probably.
berseliusQuote Reply
Obviously there’s still time for him to break, but the Nats have a damn good postseason rotation with Scherzer, Strasburg, and Gonzalez. I’d give them an edge over the Cubs, though Arrieta and Hendricks have both looked better of late.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Hendricks pitching against a good lineup that can actually hit makes me nervous. Still, if Lester returns healthy having a top 3 of Lester, Arrieta, and Quintana is solid.
EdwinQuote Reply
J Upton —-> LAAoD
berseliusQuote Reply
What would it take to land Verlander? Are the Tigers expecting something in return or do they just want out of the contract?
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89, Hopefully John Lackey and a pile of cash from the Tigers.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I’d be happy if it was just Lackey. Verlander is still pretty good and if Lester isn’t entirely healthy the rest of the way, I know I’d much, much rather have Verlander than Lackey. My guess is they want to send some cash and get a top prospect. I don’t think they’ll get it, but he’ll probably still be above average next season so the Tigers won’t be in any urgency to trade him for next to nothing.
dmick89Quote Reply
The Brewers broke the Dodgers.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
The Dbacks have won six in a row, too. The Dodgers better watch out.
BerseliusQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
LF Jay
2B Zobrist
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
CF Almora
SS Baez
RF Happ
C Rivera
P Hendricks
Too lazy to actually look it up, but odds are good that Newcomb is a lefty.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Correct.
dmick89Quote Reply
Correct
PerkinsQuote Reply
Looks like Mark is pinch hitting for Pat today, should be interesting. At least he can’t be much worse than the Bears guy they brought in a few times this year.
berseliusQuote Reply
Ugh. Stupid fan.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I guess it would have been a ground rule double, anyway.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bryant should steal home.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Almora walks
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Javy!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I actually like Mark Grote on the pbp.
MylesQuote Reply
Happ is no Heyward in right.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
That was ugly.
dmick89Quote Reply
They walked the guy with the career .266 OBP with the bases loaded.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’m starting to like Jon Jay.
dmick89Quote Reply
Almora!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Almora!
dmick89Quote Reply
Hendricks looks a lot better lately than he did at the start of the season.
dmick89Quote Reply
KBoom!
dmick89Quote Reply
Bryant!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo is having tough luck today.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Strikes would be nice.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Len and JD are talking about whether Andruw Jones is a hall of famer. I think so.
dmick89Quote Reply
Justin Wilson is good.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
+1 LSA rec’d turn it green nambla
berseliusQuote Reply
That was a fun Cubs game that I only followed on GameDay.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Russell—–>out 3 more weeks. Lame.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
That sucks. If Baez gets hurt, this team’s defense goes to hell.
dmick89Quote Reply
Leonys Martin ——> Cubs
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Why?
dmick89Quote Reply
I believe that is technically true.
ceruleanQuote Reply
berselius,
Unless they think they can convert him to shortstop, I don’t understand this.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I guess having a pinch-runner and defensive outfielder will be nice when rosters expand. But what they really need is another shortstop.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Verlander——>Astros
PerkinsQuote Reply
Martin is probably just AAA depth. I’m not even sure he’ll come up unless an outfielder gets dinged up.
MylesQuote Reply
Myles,
I’d hope not, but the Cubs need a shortstop in case Russell is out even longer than they expect now.
dmick89Quote Reply
Apparently in Houston there are now floating rafts of fire ants. This is truly the darkest timeline.
EdwinQuote Reply
New Shit
http://obstructedview.net/we-have-to-talk-about-dillon-maples/
I put a not-small amount of effort into this piece, so please read it.
mylesQuote Reply