The Cardinals had a brutal month of May, going 7-17 and nearly going from first to worst in the division. While their offense has been solid, their starting pitching has been brutal. Michael Wacha has taken another giant step back, and the shine has faded from Miles Mikolas after he took the league by storm in 2018.
Team Leaders
Cubs
- OBP: Rizzo (.404)
- ISO: Rizzo (.300)
- HR: Rizzo (15)
- R+RBI: Bryzzo (78)
- wRC+: Rizzo (159)
- BSR: Bryant (2.2)
- Defense: Baez (5.7)
- SP K/9: Darvish (10.96)
- SP BB/9: Hendricks (1.67)
- SP FIP: Hendricks (3.24)
- RP K/9: Maples (19.29)
- RP BB/9: Kintzler (2.13)
- RP FIP: Maples (2.71)
- WAR: Baez (2.5)
Urinals
- OBP: DeJong (.391)
- ISO: Ozuna (.286)
- HR: Ozuna (15)
- R+RBI: Ozuna (88)
- wRC+: DeJong (140)
- BSR: DeJong (3.5)
- Defense: DeJong (6.1)
- SP K/9: Flaherty (9.80)
- SP BB/9: Mikolas (1.44)
- SP FIP: Flaherty (4.03)
- RP K/9: Giovanny Gallegos (14.09)
- RP BB/9: Gallegos (2.25)
- RP FIP: Hicks (3.02)
- WAR: DeJong (2.9)
Transactions, injuries, blood feuds, etc
Pedro Strop should be back in this series for the Cubs, which should be nice to see. As far as other recent injury news goes, I haven’t seen anything explaining what happened with Monty exiting a game while warming up the other day. Bryant was back in the lineup as a DH on Wednesday and homered, so hopefully whatever happened in that collision the other day is no longer bothering him. On the Cards side, Yadi missed the last two games with a bruised hand.
Kris Bryant said in an interview this week that he hopes that Cardinals fans ‘boo all of us’, in response to some comments about how boring St Louis is during the offseason that Yadi took offense over. But of course the Best Fans would never boo or do anything like that.
Pitching Matchups
K/9, BB/9, ERA, Projected ERA listed for each starter
Friday: Yu Darvish, RHP (10.96, 6.22, 5.40, 4.27) vs Miles Mikolas, RHP (6.64, 1.44, 4.76, 3.90), 7:15 PM CT
Saturday: Jose Quintana, LHP (8.04, 2.73, 3.73, 3.77) vs Jack Flaherty, RHP (9.80, 3.02, 3.77, 3.77), 6:15 PM CT (FOX)
Sunday: Cole Hamels, LHP (8.62, 3.73, 4.02, 3.78) vs Adam Wainwright’s Ghost, RHP (7.87, 3.55, 4.94, 4.58), 1:15 PM CT
Comments
Hot Take: Cubs sweep the Cardinals (again)
WaLiQuote Reply
I was thinking about how the dumbest fans of any base tend to be the most vocal, and I was reminded our president literally and verifiably cannot spell accomplishment. In my time on Twitter masquerading as a Cubs hater, I found an undeniable overlap of the most vocal Cardinals fans and the most vocal Trump fans and the worst spellers in the speak-English-or-get-out klan.
Just a random thought as we venture into what I hope becomes a weekend of unfettered schadenfreude.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I’d guess at least 80% of the most vocal Cardinals fans are Trump supporters.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Their hats are already the right color, no major wardrobe change needed!
berseliusQuote Reply
andcounting,
Your wrong, moran
berseliusQuote Reply
https://media.giphy.com/media/PlV0vggiCQkRTBoygy/giphy.gif
mylesQuote Reply
I love how Dillon Maples has 3 awesome pitches but can’t stick in a bullpen. He’s going to be one of the ultimate “if only” guys at this rate.
mylesQuote Reply
dmick89,
berselius,
At least. It’s not just the cartoonish Trumpsters, but the people who in other respects (ie those that don’t involve loving a racist lying dictator who hates his own fan base personally and the Cardinals) seem normal. It’s really odd.
andcountingQuote Reply
myles,
Is there anything missing from his repertoire other than command?
andcountingQuote Reply
Not really. He has a fastball, slider, and curveball that would all play well in the majors. If he had any command at all, he’d be a solid reliever. If it was just average, he’d start.
MylesQuote Reply
andcounting,
Also, one of the biggest shames about the steroid-era fallout is Roger Clemens not being a pitching coach. It’s pretty obvious that dude loves baseball, and from what I’ve heard he can teach really well.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Somewhat related: the amount of Christian bumper stickers on a car is inversely proportional to the driver’s skill.
PerkinsQuote Reply
andcountingQuote Reply
Has there any update on the little girl hit by the foul ball?
SKQuote Reply
SK,
The only thing new I’ve seen was a small update on the ESPN story
berseliusQuote Reply
SK,
I read somewhere it was a 4 year old that got hit and that later in the game the security guard told Almora she was okay but was taken to the hospital just for precautionary measures.
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
Thank goodness. I only read some initial reports that seemed pessimistic but that might have been because of lack of info.
SKQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
LF Schwarber
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
SS Baez
RF Heyward
SS Russell
C Caratini
CF Almora
P Darvish
berseliusQuote Reply
I saw the Iowa Cubs were extending their netting all the way down the foul poles before the season starts next year.
dmick89Quote Reply
It’s inexcusable that any team opens the 2020 season without netting going down to the foul lines.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Yeah. At least 300 feet from home. On a ball that’s crushed, that gives fans about 2 seconds to see the ball, recognize it’s coming right at them, and get out of the way. Someone, somewhere believes that’s beyond fair warning, somehow. And they’re in charge.
andcountingQuote Reply
Yadi———-> IL.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Probably also gives enough time for the ball to lose some momentum too.
berseliusQuote Reply
andcounting,
It would be nice if the nets were retractable, or strung a little higher or something though. I think baseball does lose a little something when the players can’t throw balls to fans down the line, sign autographs, etc.
berseliusQuote Reply
I guess Molina will have to find something to do in StL this weekend, I hear it’s pretty tough to do.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
(dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
berselius,
The only thing to do in St. Louis is drive west to Kansas City.
dmick89Quote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
andcountingQuote Reply
C’mon, Javy.
andcountingQuote Reply
Coomer sounds like he’s broadcasting from the moon
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I was thinking from inside his new genie bottle, but yeah it’s weird.
andcountingQuote Reply
Darvish got screwed, shockingly.
andcountingQuote Reply
Ugh.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
On one hand, I went to a Marlins/Cubs game this year and got like 2nd row seats next to the dugout. The nets made sitting that close suck because could not get balls from the ball boy/players and the net obstructed the view.
On the other hand a few years ago I took my son to a Ray’s game and got similar seats but a few rows further back. I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to protect my kid if a ball was hit my way. He was just playing on the empty seats not paying attention (not that it would matter, he was about 1). We ended up moving to the outfield.
WaLiQuote Reply
Yu!
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
Have the teams throw a bunch of baseballs out to the fans prior to the game or during the 7th inning stretch. I think preventing these injuries is far more important than a potential souvenir that the overwhelming majority of fans leave the ballpark without.
dmick89Quote Reply
#JavyTag
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Brewers lose.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Darvish pulled despite driving in all the runs.
andcountingQuote Reply
The cardinals seriously look like the cast of a bad 80s prison porno.
andcountingQuote Reply
Pretty good night for Darvish.
berseliusQuote Reply
Bader is pretty good for a clown’s nut sack.
andcountingQuote Reply
The Cubs fans in attendance have pitched two perfect innings in relief, so that’s encouraging.
andcountingQuote Reply
That sounds like a future David Simon show.
dmick89Quote Reply
Oz meets The Wire meets The Deuce
dmick89Quote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
Are we sure bad prison pornos exist? I’ve only seen good ones.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
(dying laughing)
The ones I was in were terrible.
andcountingQuote Reply
dmick89
By ACB rules I think an 80s porno is by definition something recently enjoyed
berseliusQuote Reply
For the record, I wasn’t referring to the 1980s. I’m talking octogenarian inmate porn.
andcountingQuote Reply
Hicks is such a strange pitcher. How can a guy throw so hard without being all that overpowering?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I’m curious what you mean by overpowering? Not a lot of swings and misses or strikeouts?
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Lo(dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
https://media1.tenor.com/images/6e7af0bf7c5c5bff8e4306698e06920a/tenor.gif?itemid=10393789
berseliusQuote Reply
Ah, Maples. The human unintentional intentional walk.
andcountingQuote Reply
Oh my god.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Right. He hasn’t had amazing strikeout rates at any level.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The first walk was mostly the umpire’s fault. The second was all Maples.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Is this umpire a Cardinals fan?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Ok, yeah. It seems like his fastball is pretty straight, so it can be hit but for really weak contact. That’s why I asked, because in that regard he does look overpowering, but yeah, not for swings and misses.
andcountingQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
He’s hungry.
andcountingQuote Reply
Booo
berseliusQuote Reply
Laz Diaz should be banned after that inning. He’s terrible always, but he was criminally so tonight.
andcountingQuote Reply
I would rather see Descalso pitch than Maples.
dmick89Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
dmick89Quote Reply
It’s kind of funny that Dillon Maples is one of the best Cubs pitchers in their entire organization. That’s fucked up.
dmick89Quote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I agree, though I think Maples lost his composure after throwing a knee-buckling slider over the middle of the plate and having it called ball 4 instead of strike 3. When you do your job perfectly and get screwed (and you’re not playing a character who’s 60 years into a life sentence but finding all the lust you can handle behind bars), it’s enough to unnerve a young fella.
andcountingQuote Reply
Fair or not, Maples is never going to get the benefit. I’m surprised umpires don’t go take smoke breaks when he comes in to pitch. They could just as easily call ball/strikes from the parking lot as they can from behind the plate.
dmick89Quote Reply
I was thinking, back when I was a kid we used to play baseball and balls and strikes were called on the honor system (usually agreed to by the batter and pitcher). I just realized that you could do that with Maples. You don’t even need a home plate umpire. Most of his pitches are obviously balls that both batter and pitcher would agree on so I say get rid of the HPU when Maples comes in. Play it old school. They could also switch to ghost runners too because the baserunners are just going to be advancing one base at a time. No reason not stand out in the heat.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
(dying laughing), we’d use imaginary runners all the time when we had only a few kids on each team. Imaginary runners, all-time pitchers, supply your own catcher and right field is out. Not sure why Joe didn’t try to invoke any of that in the 10th.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
(dying laughing) we called them ghost runners. “Ghost runner on 2nd.” How baseball was meant to be played.
dmick89Quote Reply
I remember I used to get pissed off if I hit a ball into the gap and the ghost runner on 1st wasn’t allowed to score. I now realize ghost runners have the speed of Anthony Rizzo so it all makes sense.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I always lobbied to use real people for the trailing runners and ghost the leading runners. If you can’t score from first on a double it’s not baseball.
andcountingQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
LF Schwarber
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
C Contreras
RF Heyward
SS Russell
2B Bote
CF Almora
P Q
berseliusQuote Reply
Stupid pirates
berseliusQuote Reply
Rizzo!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizz!
andcountingQuote Reply
Cubs lose.
dmick89Quote Reply
Heyward!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Heyward!
berseliusQuote Reply
Good Pirates
berseliusQuote Reply
Stupid Pirates.
andcountingQuote Reply
False.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bump
berseliusQuote Reply
Umps be squeezin
berseliusQuote Reply
I blame that walk more on Contreras setting up off the plate with a full count to the opposing pitcher.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I hate the Pirates so much.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Bump
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dumb question but cubs win if the game gets called right?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
EnricoPallazzo,
Game would be suspended since it is tied, probably restarted before tomorrow’s game.
berseliusQuote Reply
Hey, at least the Cubs finally got a hit with a runner in scoring position! It was a bunt single that didn’t drive a run in, but it’s something!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I don’t think the Cubs have won a single game that I’ve watched from beginning to end this season. I haven’t kept track of that because I’m not Alvin and it’s not hats, but I think they’re at least 0-10. I also think the Cubs are about 15-0 in games I’ve not watched at all and paid no attention to gameday. I don’t think I’m supposed to watch this team, which is kind of okay with me.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Were you wearing a hat? Perhaps you should track the cubs record based on hat status. There could be a big market for this.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
For some reason I was thinking that the tiebreaker would go to the cubs since they scored their second run in the second inning (which was before the cards scored their second run in the third inning). Guess not.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
berselius,
seriously what kind of raging sociopath would ever come up with that shit…that always makes me laugh but also kind of terrifies me. what a fucking psycho.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Russell had, by far, the best-hit ball of the game so far, so of course it’s a double play.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This time, Cubs hitters are getting a small zone.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
The Cubs might find a way to hit into two double plays in an inning, the way this is going.
berseliusQuote Reply
No one!
andcountingQuote Reply
Kris has struck out twice in every game since his collision with Heyward.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Hell of a PA by Russell there.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Schwarber got screwed.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Two line drive double plays in one game. Wow.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Both liners had an xBA over 700.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Kris got screwed on the first strike, which set up the strikeout.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
xBA of. 940 on that Rizzo flyout.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I can’t decide if the Cubs penalty for only getting 2 hits against a shitty old pitcher is a permanent ban from the postseason or something shorter like 50 to 100 years. It could go either way.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
In their defense, they did work him for seven walks.
This series sucks.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I really hope there are no double plays this half inning.
andcountingQuote Reply
That sucks.
andcountingQuote Reply
And 0 runs despite Wainwright throwing a million pitches. I think I have to go with permanent postseason ban and forced relocation to Buford, Wyoming.
dmick89Quote Reply
That was a recent series I did not enjoy.
MylesQuote Reply
Sounds like Carlos Gonzalez ——-> Cubs today
berseliusQuote Reply
CarGo——-MLB
Adduci——->DFA
PerkinsQuote Reply
berselius,
I know I shouldn’t be optimistic about this, but I am for who knows why.
andcountingQuote Reply
I was close
WaLiQuote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron
LF War Bear
3B Bryant
1B Rizzo
SS Baez
RF CarGo
C Contreras
CF Heyward
2B Russell
P Lester
berseliusQuote Reply
CarGo should be a big boost to the bullpen.
dmick89Quote Reply
CarGo is a pretty good hitter for a relief pitcher and we all know how much Joe loves to let relievers hit.
dmick89Quote Reply
Tyler Chatwood might still be the best hitter in the Cubs bullpen even with the addition of CarGo.
dmick89Quote Reply
Alzolay seems to be tearing up AAA, but it doesn’t seem like there is a spot for him on the club as a starter. Would they call him up to be a reliever or just let him finish up the year in AAA?
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
He’ll probably stay in the minors and be traded at the deadline as the Cubs try to win the 2nd wild card.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
maybe flip him for ricky nolasco?
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
The Cubs will never score a run again.
MylesQuote Reply
The Cubs will score in every inning for the rest of time.
MylesQuote Reply
Myles,
(dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Myles,
The Cubs will only score runs on RBI groundouts and solo hrs for the rest of time
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Isn’t that what they basically did last season?
dmick89Quote Reply
I was right the first time.
MylesQuote Reply
The good news is that if they never score again they’re going to get a lot of top draft picks. The bad thing is that they’ll still trade everyone away trying to win that 2nd wild card. They’ll also still have no pitching and their bullpen will suck. I think the Cubs could have all the picks in the first round and in 5 years they’d still have no pitching.
dmick89Quote Reply
Javy!
berseliusQuote Reply
Nobody will ever send me a million dollars.
MylesQuote Reply
Myles,
Not with that attitude.
dmick89Quote Reply
I enjoy this episode of Cubs Baseball: Fans Get to Pitch Edition.
andcountingQuote Reply
Ryan Jensen?
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Yes?
Ryan JensenQuote Reply
So from what I’m reading, it seems most think Jensen ends up in the bullpen.
dmick89Quote Reply
I just hope he doesn’t come down with mono.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Best he avoid gaming systems altogether too.
dmick89Quote Reply
andcounting,
27) Cubs: Ryan Jensen, RHP, Fresno State
This is the biggest surprise of the first round so far, as Jensen was ranked No. 99 on our ranking of the top 200 Draft prospects. There’s a lack of college pitching in this Draft, however, and we may see more teams push some college arms up their Draft boards, as the Cubs appeared to here. Jensen has one of the best fastballs in the college class, usually working at 94-98 mph and maintaining his velocity into the late innings. The secondary stuff is inconsistent, as is his control, and he doesn’t have a real big frame (6-foot, 180 pounds), so he could be a reliever.
WaLiQuote Reply
(dying laughing) that shit with Hendry used to drive me fucking nuts. So he’s a 3rd/4th round talent the Cubes take in the 1st. Nicely done.
dmick89Quote Reply
Did we really draft Hayden Simpson again?
MylesQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
Myles,
I don’t think it’s quite that bad since Simpson was ranked around 200th (I think). I’m not sure it’s much better. It’s a terrible pick for the first round no matter how you look at it. It’s starting to look like this front office excelled in Boston because there weren’t any restrictions on the draft and international free agency. They haven’t done all that well with the restrictions.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
Maybe the owners should stop being so restrictive.
BTW, Keith Law had Jensen ranked No. 32 on his board. Their pick in the second round, UCLA infielder Chase Strumpf, was ranked 42 by BA.
RynoQuote Reply
RynoQuote Reply
Wasn’t there some surprise about Hoerner or Roederer being drafted too high last year too?
BVSQuote Reply
Also, as noted above, the various rankings have lots of variation among them.
One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
Pretty much. Brennan Davis, too, and he’s raking in South Bend
RynoQuote Reply
BVS,
Yes, I do live directly above you.
RynoQuote Reply
Ryno,
Yeah. It sure would be nice if you’d invest in some carpet, or wait to practice your Riverdance-way-off-broadway audition until after I left for work.
BVSQuote Reply
Ryno,
Though I suppose it’s easier to trust TheoMcLeod more with hitters who seem to be reaches than pitchers…
BVSQuote Reply
dmick89,
Yeah I remember Hendry doing this shit all the time. MLB drafts are weird though because you have to worry about signability and all that shit. Just looking at the undrafted board there are still 6 potential players all ranked top 40 (highest being 13) because they are all high school players most likely with commitments elsewhere. I’ll defer to the experts but it still seems strange to grab a player ranked at 99 unless for some reason you think you couldn’t grab him with your second pick and he’s a “must have”
WaLiQuote Reply
WaLi,
For what it’s worth the Astros drafted a college catcher ranked 119 with their 32nd pick and someone ranked 128 with their 68th pick.
WaLiQuote Reply
http://www.obstructedview.net/series-preview-colorado-rockies-31-27-at-chicago-cubs-32-26/
berseliusQuote Reply