OSS: Darvish levels up to kinda meh.
Three+ up:
- Willson Contreras had a big day at the plate, going 2-3 with a HR, a bases loaded walk, and a HBP. The homer followed the hit by pitch, and Willson made sure to take his time around the bases.
- David Bote actually had an even better day, WPA-wise, with an assist from Contreras. He drove in two with a double in the first inning, and knocked in a run in the fifth on a fielder’s choice where Willson legged it out to beat the throw to second base.
- Javy Baez collected three hits tonight, but the Javy being Javy highlight came when he snagged a foul ball as a baserunner. Mattingly was kind of cheesed that it might be interference but that ball was way foul.
- Darvish struggled in the early going, but seemed to find his command as the game went on. He was feeling it maybe a little too much in his final PA, raring back and chucking 98-99 mph fastballs, the last one of which got the rare magic bullet dick/neck/back combo when he lost the handle. He finished with 5.2 IP, 2 R, 4 BB, 8 SO.
- Apparently Joe’s new policy with the bullpen is to just yank guys as soon as they walk someone. I like.
Three down:
- Almora went 0-4 with an intentional walk in this one, though at least he did remind everyone why he was in the lineup with a sensational catch to open the game.
- A relief pitcher got a plate appearance. Joe gotta Joe.
- Javy Baez had a rough error in the second on a potential double play. The Cubs were playing their anti-bunt defense when the pitcher swung away, which probably caught everyone relatively off guard.
Next up: Jose Quintana takes on Pablo Lopez at 6:10 PM CT. Q looked fantastic in his last start, let’s hope he keeps rolling. Or don’t. I can’t tell you what to hope for.
Comments
SKQuote Reply
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26536174/former-cub-zambrano-eyes-return-big-leagues
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Why the fuck not? This team would be a lot more interesting with him on it.
dmick89Quote Reply
It has been 102 plate appearances since Albert Almora has had an extra-base hit.
MylesQuote Reply
dmick89,
Yeah but doesn’t this same story get printed every time the Cubs are in Miami or Z is visiting Wrigley?
SKQuote Reply
SK,
It does? I don’t remember the stories from before this.
dmick89Quote Reply
Billy Hamilton has a higher ISO since 2018 than Albert Almora.
MylesQuote Reply
Carlos Zambrano’s career ISO is 33 points higher than Albert Almora’s. He also has 8 more career home runs.
MylesQuote Reply
Myles,
I’m starting to think you are a bit down on Almora’s bat.
berseliusQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
2B Descalso
LF Bryant
1B Rizzo
SS Baez
RF Heyward
C Contreras
3B Bote
CF Almora
P Quintana
Still no War Bear
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
His bat has always sucked. He’s fairly decent against lefties, but on a good team he’d never see the field against a righty.
dmick89Quote Reply
Chris Davis has more extra base hits in 2018-2019 than Albert Almora (31 to 30).
MylesQuote Reply
Most PA with an ISO of .000, 2019:
1. Ben Zobrist 53
2. Albert Almora 49
3. Billy Hamilton 46
4. Daniel Robertson 44
MylesQuote Reply
I shouldn’t be so harsh. He’s currently tied with Stan Musial in 2019 XBH. In some respects, he’s as good as the greatest Cardinal of all time.
MylesQuote Reply
dmick89,
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/longtime-cubs-starter-carlos-zambrano-is-pitching-again-and-wants-to-return-to-the-majors/amp/
https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/former-cubs-pitching-star-looking-make-comeback-six-year-hiatus-220936227.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLmdvb2dsZS5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFfqFlA0V3lSpmqFcaB0GEwkwHrGEV1dsMY3NsZo0Pz1OnVIAoHdcNcv–vN5SN3ek78-K4-kHZCzaye1MIR3xju8i9dDGtQlBA-2Zx3NgPVoDTYkK7Gc8vwuQiIsIbh5p9dQiBhcgCY6V4PwWEP9242D99jJW5HB0POs_tplER-
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-carlos-zambrano-sullivan-cubs-spt-1116-20141114-story.html
SKQuote Reply
SK,
Thanks. It looks like the first two links line up with the news today (all within the last year). The last one there on the Tribune was way back in 2014. Obviously this comes up more than I remember since I don’t remember any of these, but if someone doesn’t share it here it’s doubtful I came across it.
dmick89Quote Reply
Myles,
Not sure how Musial gets that title over Yadier Molina, the greatest ballplayer/neck tattoo model of all time
/bestfans
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I’m sure Yadi is going to attack you on Instagram for making a lighthearted joke about the Cardinals. Watch your back.
dmick89Quote Reply
Myles,
But the stabilization point of ISO is 160 AB, so those samples are pretty meaningless.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
(Just the 2019 numbers)
andcountingQuote Reply
What’s the point of hitting a double ahead of Almora and Quintana?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Descalso!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
Don’t tell me which body part to watch.
berseliusQuote Reply
Báez!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Xavi!
berseliusQuote Reply
M————> inverted
berseliusQuote Reply
Yelich already has more home runs against the Cardinals than Kris Bryant looks like he’s going to hit all season.
dmick89Quote Reply
http://www.obstructedview.net/cubs-4-miami-0/
berseliusQuote Reply