OSS: I just checked the calendar to see if it is April again somehow.
Three up:
- Kyle Hendricks threw a complete game shutout, his second CG of the season and first shutout. The last one was against the Phillies, so it was especially nice to see him shut down an actual major league offense. Even more so considering just how gassed the bullpen must have been following the previous game. Hendricks allowed seven hits and three walks, striking out five. He ran into trouble early, but managed to strand three in the second inning and two more in the third before settling down. Hendricks threw 120+ pitches, but given how he pitches it somehow feels less risky injury wise, as if throwing a baseball 91 mph is any more unnatural than throwing 95.
- The patient Cubs of April + May were back, chasing the Marlins starter after just four innings (and six walks!) Based on how the last few weeks have gone I was grumbling that they didn’t take enough advantage of a bad outing, scoring just two runs, but that feeling that they would add on at some point is back, at least temporarily.
- Just about everyone in the lineup contributed, including Kyle Hendricks, but the biggest offensive play of the day was Russell’s two run opposite field single in the first that got the Cubs on the board. He trailed Anthony Rizzo in total WPA among position players, thanks to Rizzo’s 3-3 day with a walk and a HBP.
Three down
- I say “just about” everyone because Kris Bryant had an 0-5 day, including a double play during one of the many times the Cubs had Conley on the ropes. Buck up Kris, you may still have a future in this league.
- Javy Baez knocked in a run with a sac fly in the sixth, but went 0-4 in the rest of his PAs. He really seemed to be swinging out of his shoes tonight, even by Javy standards. Given how rocky Conley looked tonight I can see why that adrenaline was pumping, but a 400′ home run is just as good as a 600′ one.
- I have nothing else except a shrug for the Cubs last minute acquisition today. I guess I’d trust him more than Joe Nathan, and they didn’t give up much to get him at least. I thought it was a strange trade deadline all around – never have I seen so many teams with .500ish records, some with winning records (e.g. PIT) trading away assets. You’d think the second wild card would have given extra incentive for these bubble teams not to sell, but here we are.
Next up: The Cubs face a slightly tougher pitcher in Jose Fernandez, who struck out 13 in his last start against the Cubs.
Comments
Reaching base at least four times with at least one XBH, a BB, and a HBP shall henceforth be known as:
ceruleanQuote Reply
The third down should have been the time it took for New York to finish all three replays (Not to tell you what to do). Just ridiculous. Clearly the replay ump was taking a shit every time he/she was needed to review a play.
mikeakaleroyQuote Reply
mikeakaleroy,
I watched this game on dvr, so no problem here (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
You damn kids and your fancy technology
mikeakaleroyQuote Reply
Nobody beats him, because he’s the Riz! He’s the Riz!
EdwinQuote Reply
Gold Edwin…..Gold!!
Kenny BaniaQuote Reply
The Cubs are the best team in baseball by 538’s Historical Elo again. Take that, Blue Jays.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Nice win. Beat Fernandez tonight and maybe April/May Cubs are back after all.
Smokestack LightningQuote Reply
Soler is doing the big league club a solid by getting all of his slumping out in AA allowing the Cubs to have a great excuse to not call him up and so delaying a hasty roster decision.
#teamPlayer
ceruleanQuote Reply
mikeakaleroy,
So I gotta silly question…can a manager or team protest a replay? Because the first one was baaaaaad
Rice CubeQuote Reply
When the Cubs played the White Sox, there was a disputed double play. The Cubs asked for a replay to overturn the call and determine if the runner at 1st was safe (he was). Then Robin Ventura asked for a replay to determine if the Cubs runner had slid illegally so that the just-reversed call would be moot.
umbraQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I actually had just looked up the official league policy on Replay today for something else, but here’s the language I think you’re looking for. (The tldr; version is, you’ll be booted if you do)
Irrevocable and Final.
Once a Manager informs an Umpire that he wishes to exercise a Manager’s Challenge, it may not be rescinded. A Manager should not point to the headset technician unless he is sure that he wants to initiate a challenge.
The decision of the Replay Official to either uphold or change one or more calls subject to Replay Review, and any decisions as to the placement of runners or other necessary actions to be taken, shall be final and binding on both Clubs and is not subject to further review or revision.
Once Replay Review is initiated, no uniformed personnel from either Club shall be permitted to further argue the contested calls or the decision of the Replay Official. On-field personnel who violate this provision shall be ejected.
Official Baseball Rule 7.04 (formerly Rule 4.19) shall have no applicability to these Replay Regulations. No protest shall ever be permitted on judgment decisions by the Replay Official. Moreover, a violation of any rule or procedure set forth herein shall not constitute a basis for protesting a game.
In circumstances in which Replay Review is not available (e.g., the call is not reviewable, no Manager Challenge or Crew Chief review is available or, after the seventh inning, the Crew Chief has communicated that he has declined to initiate Replay Review), if a manager, coach, or player makes reference to having observed a video replay that purportedly contradicts the call under dispute, such person is subject to immediate ejection from the game.
mikeakaleroyQuote Reply
umbra,
Yep, and that’s in the official policy too
mikeakaleroyQuote Reply
Welcome back to Iowa, Spencer Patton. You did a helluva job in your no appearances over the last day for Chicago.
mikeakaleroyQuote Reply
Is that a short sleeved button down dress shirt with Cubs pinstripes, uniform logo and shoulder patch?
Yes. Yes it is.
https://twitter.com/carriemuskat/status/760558666630111233
SKQuote Reply
I may be the minority opinion but that looks awesome to me. Would buy.
MylesQuote Reply
to-day’s base ball squadron
Fowler
Contreras
Rizzo
Zobrist
Heyward
Russell
Coghlan
Baez (3b)
Hammel
day off for Bryant
berseliusQuote Reply
game thread up: http://obstructedview.net/marlins-cubs-game-thread-8-2-16/
dmick89Quote Reply