OSS: There's nothing like Bronson Arroyo and the wind blowing out at Wrigley to wake up an offense.
Three up:
- The Cubs 'only' hit four home runs in this game, but somehow it felt like there were a lot more. Of all of them, Kyle Schwarber's bomb into the back rows of the RF bleachers was the most impressive, and it snapped a 0-17 streak. Russell and Rizzo also homered their way out of slumps, and Ian Happ added his second homer of his big league career.
- The biggest play of the game could have been even bigger than it was. Willson Contreras hit a bases loaded ground rule double in the first inning that got stuck in the vines, scoring two instead of three.
- John Lackey pitched 5.1 innings, giving up three runs. On a night like tonight, anything less than six runs felt like a success.
Three down
- The only Cubs starter in the lineup without a hit today was Javier Baez, whose season line stands at .228/.264/.430. His glove hasn't quite been enough to paper over some of that this year, but maybe a little time off once Zobrist gets a little healthier might help him out.
- His double play partner hasn't looked all that good at the plate lately either, basket HR today aside. He had the biggest negative play of the game when he popped out with the bases loaded in the first.
- They can't face Arroyo again tomorrow. Though come to think of it, I wouldn't be surprised if he was available tomorrow if they needed him. I can't wait until he develops a knuckleball or something and pitches into his 50s.
Next up
Scott Feldman takes on Kyle Hendricks, same bat time, same bat stadium. Maybe some new bats though.
Comments
I love that the Cubs managed to hit four homers but no one was on base for any of them (dying laughing)
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Cubs and Reds both 19-19, perfectly describing the talent level of both teams.
MylesQuote Reply
Berselius is too lazy to login,
They have to lead the league in solo home run percentage. Put a runner at 2nd and the same batter would hit a weak grounder to 3rd. .
dmick89Quote Reply
If opposing teams figure out that they can intentionally walk Cubs batters and balk them into scoring position, the Cubs will hit .150 the rest of the season.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
Schwarber
Bryant
Rizzo
Happ (cf)
Zobrist
Russell
Montero
Hendricks
Jay (rf)
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Happ seems to be earning himself some playing time.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Wade Davis is among the leaders in GWAR (not to be confused with Gwar). Hector Rondon is second on the team.
ceruleanQuote Reply
It’s hard to confuse anything with Gwar (dying laughing)
Wenningtons Gorilla CockQuote Reply
Schwarber!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
What’s this timely hitting thing I’m seeing here?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This is okay
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Hits with RISP? Be still, my beating heart.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Gwar is still around? That’s crazy.
dmick89Quote Reply
(dying laughing) nothing funnier than an outfielder missing an easy fly ball.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Reminded me of Toles in the NLCS.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
A squeeze with two RISP isn’t ideal, but with Hendricks hitting, I’ll take it.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Now that the Cubs learned to hit with some runners in scoring position, maybe they could hit some home runs with guys on base.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Yeah, with Hendricks, the bunt there is probably the smarter move.
dmick89Quote Reply
Velo seems to be up for Hendricks. He’s sitting at 87-88.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Considering the weather, this was a very good start for Hendricks.
dmick89Quote Reply
Strikes, please.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Ugh.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Jesus, I miss good Strop.
dmick89Quote Reply
Re-screw the closer, please.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
That sucked.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bases clogged
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Now would be a good time
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Terrible approach by Jay there.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I’ll take it. Inverted M
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
Umps must have had dinner reservations
Berselius is too lazy to loginQuote Reply
That’s how I feel about Metallica.
ceruleanQuote Reply
Berselius is too lazy to login,
Nah, Rizzo made a beautiful play. The call was rightfully overturned.
ceruleanQuote Reply
cerulean,
I feel that way about Metallica too, but I’ve at least enjoyed and appreciated some of their earlier (prior to the mid 90s) stuff. I thought Gwar sucked the first time I heard them and that was probably close to 30 years ago.
dmick89Quote Reply
cerulean,
Really? I thought he was more than likely off the base. I’d have overturned if the initial call was out. I don’t think we can be 100% sure either way, but to me at least, it looked much more likely he was safe than not.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I was watching with the audio muted. I thought his toe was on the bag when the ball entered his mitt. I watched the replay with the audio and was shocked at how Len and JD thought confirmation was a foregone conclusion. Rizzo earned that. It was perfect.
ceruleanQuote Reply
dmick89,
I remember a guy in HS that was really into Gwar. I called them G-war just to piss him off. I could be a real dick sometimes. I don’t think I ever heard a note of their music.
ceruleanQuote Reply
http://obstructedview.net/cubs-7-reds-5-5-17-17/
BerseliusQuote Reply