OSS: The Cole Hamels trade is working out okay so far.
Three up:
- Cole Hamels threw a complete game, allowing just one run on a buncha bloops in the first, and cruising the rest of the way. Hamels’ updated line with the Cubs is 5 GS, 34 IP, 2ER, 8 BB, 30 SO, 0.79 ERA. It’s also nice to see the pen get a break in this long streak of games without a day off.
- The Cubs offense got untracked again today, and Javy Baez’s bomb to deep CF was probably the most memorable moment of the game on offense. According to the radio booth it was the second longest HR hit in baseball so far this season.
- Anthony Rizzo reached base in all of his plate appearances today. His biggest playw as a two run homer in the first that instantly regained the lead for the Cubs. He also singled, hit a deep sac fly, and was intentionally walked.
Three down:
- Baez TOOTBLANed in the eighth trying to stretch a routine single into a double, and was thrown out by a mile.
- Just twenty more games to go until the Cubs next off day.
- The Brewers and Cardinals did not have a chance to lose today.
Next up: Alec Mills takes on Matt Harvey at 1:20 PM CT. It’s probably a good thing that the pen is rested.
Comments
He reached base on a sac fly?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
Notable minor league performances:
RynoQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Those responsible for writing this recap have been sacked.
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Why are you hating on Erick Leal:
4 IP, 4 H, 1R, 1 ER, 1BB, 3 SO
Eury Ramos isn’t a real prospect, but he had a great game too:
6.1 IP, H, BB, 8 SO
MylesQuote Reply
So Murphy got asked about LGBTQ fans after last night’s game….
Didn’t sound like he’s had any personal epiphanies, but he didn’t say anything stupid.
BVSQuote Reply
Leal is an intriguing arm, but that’s not really a notable performance, imo.
Performance of the day, but — as you said — I don’t give a shit about him.
RynoQuote Reply
Myles,
That’s why I said you should continue to do minor league performances also. I’m only going to relay stats I find compelling from prospects I care about.
RynoQuote Reply
It was going to be a bullpen day no matter what, but maybe now only 5 innings instead of 8.
BVSQuote Reply
sounds like harvey—–>brewers maybe? i can’t tell if that’s a good thing or bad thing w/r/t today’s game…
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
Guess you’ve lost your crush in Bijan Rademacher….
BVSQuote Reply
Ryno,
are you calling me a liar
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
BVS,
You shouldn’t make things up about people.
RynoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
No, because Jon Morosi is reporting on Twitter that the trade is done.
..is the type of thing that still has time to happen.
RynoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
I think MIL realized Harvey was more valuable pitching against the Cubs today than he would be in their rotation.
RynoQuote Reply
Doesn’t he mean there’s something…
wong?
RynoQuote Reply
^^^^^something i almost posted just now
SKQuote Reply
Jim Riggleman’s nickname is Lily
SKQuote Reply
Almora isn’t as slow as Rizzo, but he’s awfully slow.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
All that matters is he’s fast enough to make it from first to second on a fly ball to CF.
RynoQuote Reply
dmick89,
Statcast rates his sprint speed above average, but it might take him a while to reach maximum speed.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Jesus, Javy.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Javy is pretty smart. That was not.
andcountingQuote Reply
I remember when people were defending some of Javy’s dubious baserunning decisions (e.g., stealing home with no outs) by saying he only does it when he’s 100% certain he’ll be safe. That failed stealing attempt of third with two outs and a good hitter in a hitters’ count is strong evidence to the contrary.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
One occurrence of anything in baseball isn’t strong evidence of anything.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I honestly think he makes his decisions with little regard as to the number of outs, who’s hitting, etc.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Do the Cubs know who is pitching against them? Someone should tell them that he sucks.
dmick89Quote Reply
andcounting,
Not when you need nearly 100% success rate and the play isn’t even close.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Well, a lot of people say Baez is a free swinger, but his plate appearance in that inning is strong evidence to the contrary.
andcountingQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I generally hate trying to steal 3rd. There are situations that it’s fine, but this team has made some bizarre base running choices lately for a team that is supposedly a good base running team.
dmick89Quote Reply
Don’t let Harvey’s ERA of nearly 5 fool you. Against the Cubs…
June 21: 6IP, 5H, 2ER, 6K, 1BB
July 7: 5.2IP, 9H, 2ER, 4K, 1BB
today: 5IP, 1H, 0ER, 6K, 1BB
MIL:
RynoQuote Reply
andcounting,
“Free-swinger” doesn’t mean you never take walks, or even that you rarely take walks. For some of the high-risk plays Báez has tried, you should (almost) never get caught.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
He almost never gets caught on high risk running attempts. More rarely than he walks. That one was stupid. I don’t know what is so consequential about this one example.
andcountingQuote Reply
That start by Mills is probably in the top 10 for Cubs starters this season.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
There’s been a couple sloppy/risky base running mistakes by Javy lately. It’s not just Javy. This team has gotten careless on the bases IMO.
dmick89Quote Reply
andcounting,
I think it probably is.
dmick89Quote Reply
turns out they’re ok after all. what a relief you guys.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Yeah, I don’t buy that. And sometimes when he does make it, it’s so close I have trouble seeing how it’s justified. e.g, with no outs, he had about a 90% chance of scoring if he stays at third, but instead he stole home with a dodge move at the end to (just) avoid the tag. I still think he’s a valuable baserunner, but I think some of his unconventional decisions are just reckless.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Xavi!
berseliusQuote Reply
That said, Báez!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Javy!
andcountingQuote Reply
Javy!!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Apparently they’ve been told it’s station-to-station until tomorrow or no dinner.
andcountingQuote Reply
Terrible 3-2 approach by Rizzo. He should have had an RBI walk.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
no way is rizzo safe there
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Too bad Rizzo swung at ball four when it was a foot outside and low.
dmick89Quote Reply
That was a shitty inning.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Seriously, what is he thinking not knowing that was a nasty slider from a lefty not a fastball at the corner of the zone?
andcountingQuote Reply
If it’s a 50-50 choice between those, he can take it and have a 50-50 chance of an RBI.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
(Maybe better, as fastballs on the corner sometimes miss.)
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
You’re telling me you would have no problem with him taking strike three? You, YOU would call that a good approach? We both know that’s bullshit.
andcountingQuote Reply
The fucking ridiculous thing is that his approach was to protect the plate, he makes contact twice with two nasty sliders that obviously were difficult to read, and you criticize him for having a terrible approach. That’s incorrect and unrealistic.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I’m fine with a batter taking strike three if it’s a close pitch. He’s probably not have done much with it if he hit it anyway.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’m fine with protecting the plate if you’re down in the count or even 2-2. But I’ve always preferred taking close pitches with a full count, especially if you can force in a run.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
feels like i haven’t seen CJ have a decent outing in a really long time. like maybe even going back to last season. am i catching him on bad days or does he just suck?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
His strikeout rate has been way down lately. His velocity looks fine, though.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Murph!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
2B Cubs.
andcountingQuote Reply
Murphy!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
He was lights out this year until he hit the DL. He’s looked more hittable since coming back, but has still been above average, I think.
berseliusQuote Reply
Crap.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Nerts
berseliusQuote Reply
fair enough. yeah i watched like zero games until june so that would explain it.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Ugh, stupid umpire.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The Reds using their closer in a tie game on the road? It’s that legal?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Holy crap, Bote!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
BOTE!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
BRB getting “BOTE” tattooed on my bicep
MylesQuote Reply
Bote has a game-tying, 2-out, 9th-inning homer, a walk-off grand slam, and a walk-off extra-inning homer. And he probably won’t make the postseason roster.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I’m betting he’ll make the postseason roster. Joe fucking loves Bote. Even before the heroics, he was a huge fan. Unless he has a shitty September, I’ll bet he makes the roster. He’s a much better player than I imagined. He’s above average defensively from what I can tell and he hits. It’s a good problem to have.
dmick89Quote Reply
Obviously the Cubs miss Kris Bryant, but I never imagined he’d miss significant time and the replacement would contribute anywhere near what Bryant can. Here we are.
dmick89Quote Reply
I definitely think Bote has a better chance than La Stella.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I kind of think the addition of Murphy all but means that La Stella won’t be on the playoff roster.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Rizzo the Rat,
I’d keep Bote over Happ
BVSQuote Reply
Sorry Ryno. I’ll let Bijan know you haven’t moved on. You should probably call him through. He’s been missing your attention.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
Happ can play both infield and outfield. I’m sure Bote could as well, but Happ has had more experience this year. If it comes down to those two, I’d probably take Happ, but I don’t think it will come down to that. I think it will be either Bote or La Stella and I’m definitely taking Bote.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
But you have knock two off the current roster. KB on, La Stella off. Russell on, someone off. Bote? Happ?
Now that I think of it, Russell probably knocks off whoever the 5th starter is.
BVSQuote Reply
Lost in all this: impressive debut (as a starter) for Mills today.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Yeah, I assume that’s what they’ll do.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
You could hear a helluvan ovation over the radio when Joe pulled him.
BVSQuote Reply
I don’t know why it always seems like the postseason roster is so tight, but I just have this feeling like he’ll get left off for some reason. I hope I’m wrong. It helps that they won’t have three catchers.
andcountingQuote Reply
I almost wish Schwarber could serve as the backup catcher, but I think that ship has sailed.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I wonder if he still packs gear for away games.
BVSQuote Reply
Marte!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
I hope the Brewers lose this in 20 innings.
PerkinsQuote Reply
It’s such an injustice that Sean Rogriguez gets to play in the majors while Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. is forced to stay in the minors.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
#WeirdBaseball
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Cervelli!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
The Brewers won? Jesus.
andcountingQuote Reply
All Holmes has to do was retire the opposing pitcher to win the game. Instead, he walked him.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
andcounting,
(dying laughing), I had the game on the radio as I was sacking out and the pirates had just taken the lead when I fell asleep. Stupid Beers.
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Happ!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Murphy!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Happ!!!
Murphy!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
Whoa whoa whoa there Lelo
SKQuote Reply
Good god.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Schwarber!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Gotta pad this lead, as Quintana doesn’t seem to have anything today.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Schwarber!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
SCHWARBS
SKQuote Reply
Javy!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This is my favorite kato tweet thus far:
@brewers – if counsell was a good manager, he’d fire himself!
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Rizzo!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
It appears KB was crushing the ball in BP. Daniel Murphy the human being needs some tweaks, but Daniel Murphy on the Cubs with Bryant returning could make this offense kind of ridiculous.
The “hitting is contagious” thing gets overplayed, but this team seems to struggle most when guys press too hard to hit nothing but homers or force extra bases that just aren’t there. When they relax a bit, everyone seems to hit. A healthy Murphy and Bryant means the Cubs could be looking pretty lethal through the first six spots in the order with not a big drop off the rest of the way.
andcountingQuote Reply
The Reds should forfeit at this point.
andcountingQuote Reply
Javy again!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
JABY
SKQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
It will be nice to get KB, Morrow and Russell back. What’s the word on Montgomery?
dmick89Quote Reply
Jesus.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Jesus.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
He threw off the mound yesterday. I think Joe said something positive about it after the game. Montgomery also got married on the last off day, and you just never know how that will affect someone.
andcountingQuote Reply
dmick89,
So is morrow’s return imminent?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
I don’t think so. Last I saw they were expecting him back sometime in the final month.
dmick89Quote Reply
This would be a good night for both the Cardinals and Brewers to lose.
North Side PatQuote Reply
Polanco!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
Frazier!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
Holliday!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Brewers lose.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
CarGo!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Arenado!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rockies!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Coors Field!
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Poor Kenley Jansen.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I believe that’s actually the nickname on his Players Weekend jersey.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Apparently Rich Hill went with Dick Mountain (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Berselius is too lazy to login,
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
Berselius is too lazy to login,
Didn’t we refer to him as Dick Mound back in the ACB days?
I guess what I’m saying is, he reads every word.
PerkinsQuote Reply
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24392684/the-20-rules-creating-mlb-nickname-would-be
GWQuote Reply
KB ——–> Iowa
berseliusQuote Reply
out
dmick89Quote Reply
Heyward!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Heyward!!!
dmick89Quote Reply
Hamilton had a super fast first step in the exact wrong direction. (dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
Bote!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bote!!
dmick89Quote Reply
The Reds fucking hate Homer Bailey.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
If only he would live up to his name, the defense wouldn’t have to chase so many of these hits.
berseliusQuote Reply
I’m really surprised that some other team in the NL didn’t claim Murphy even if it was just to block him from going to the Cubs.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
The Nationals might have been willing to let him go as a salary dump, though. That’s a pretty expensive risk to take for a blocking move.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Stupid Chris Archer.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bote!!!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bote! Wow.
dmick89Quote Reply
David F. Bote!!!!
andcountingQuote Reply
Schwarber lined out at 114 mph.
andcountingQuote Reply
Stupid Tyler Anderson.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Cardinals were a gift strike call away from walking the pitcher to load the bases with Rockies.
andcountingQuote Reply
Pirates making a game of it.
andcountingQuote Reply
Schwarber!
dmick89Quote Reply
Schwarber!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Schwarbloooey!!!
andcountingQuote Reply
So Bote has 383 innings in OF over 50 minor league games. All in left or right. In minors was mainly at 2b (2700 inn), then 3rd (900), then OF, then SS (344).
Just saying.
Dmick, I know you were saying you’d like the Cubs to not bother with any other trades this year, but I think a waiver claim for the return of Rene Rivera or maybe Weiters–someone who can play D at C–would be a good move.
BVSQuote Reply
Cincinnati has solved the Cubs hitting problem.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
I’m definitely not opposed to upgrading backup catcher if it doesn’t cost much. That’s something they could definitely use assuming it means no Caratini because I don’t see much use for him with a decent defensive catcher.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Inverted Mark Prior’s pitching arm.
andcountingQuote Reply
http://www.obstructedview.net/cubs-9-reds-0-2/
berseliusQuote Reply