Baseball has somehow managed to roll along far enough to get past the midway point of the season, against at least *some* odds. It’s been nice listening to a Cubs game or two on the radio but this bizarre and awful dumpster fire of a year has really put a damper on anything it touches, at least for me.
Anyway, on that happy note, here’s where the Cubs stand now
Record: 21-14, first place in NL Central
Games up: 3.0 on Cardinals (14-13)
Playoff odds: 98.1% (74.1% to win division, 23.8% for one of the other options)
Top performers:
- Ian Happ: .304/.420/.643, 10 HR .440 wOBA, 1.9 WAR
- Yu Darvish: 43 IP, 7 GS, 52 SO, 8 BB, 1.47 ERA, 2.03 FIP, 1.8 WAR
- Jason Heyward: .299/.411/.563, 5 HR, .409 wOBA, 1.2 WAR
- Anthony Rizzo: .225/.365/.450, 8 HR, .351 wOBA, 1.0 WAR
Strugg-a-ling:
- Kris Bryant: .191/.276/.324, 2 HR, .268 wOBA, 0.1 WAR
- Javier Baez: .200/.243/.369, 5 HR, .261 wOBA, 0.1 WAR
- Craig Kimbrel: 8 IP, 10 G, 15 SO, 12 BB, 10.13 ERA, 7.90 FIP, -0.3 WAR
- Kyle Ryan: 11.1 IP, 13 G, 10 SO, 4 BB, 5.56 ERA, 7.03 FIP, -0.2 WAR
Happ and Darvish have certainly been the standouts so far this year. I also think David Ross has vastly exceeded my expectations (which are low for any manager). His on-field stuff has been fine, but as has been noted around here it seems like he’s been doing a great job with all the off-field stuff. The bizarre circumstances around this season would be tough for any manager, especially a rookie one, but it seems like he’s riding out the storm and keeping things in perspective with the team on the pandemic.
Trade deadline acquisitions and roster moves
The Cubs main focus was left-handed pitching at the trade deadline, either relievers or guys who can hit said relievers:
- The Cubs traded 2 PBTNLs or cash to the Rays for former Cardinal Jose Martinez, who always seemed to crush the Cubs but never seemed to find playing time in the glut of big bats/lousy gloves that the Cards had. He’ll fit well as a DH or late game PH
- The Cubs also picked up Cameron Maybin, who can play a credible CF and hit lefties. They sent Zack Short to the Tigers in the trade.
- He’s picking up time from Albert Almora, who was supposed to be the lefty-facing CF but just couldn’t improve his bat. He was sent back to the minor league camp as part of these trades.
- The Cubs also picked up lefty relievers Andrew Chafin and Josh Osich from the Dbacks and Red Sox, respectively, both for PBTNLs. Chafin has been pretty solid for the Dbacks for the last few seasons, but is currently on the IL with a finger problem and it’s not clear when he will be available. Osich is pretty much a replacement level guy, but that would be an improvement on what Kyle Ryan has looked like this year.
Looking forward
There’s 4 more weeks to go, and luckily the Cubs only have one more doubleheader on the schedule. They have two off-days in the middle of the month but are currently in a stretch of 13 straight days of baseball. Enjoy it while you can. Or don’t. I can’t tell you what to do.
Comments
I’m… confused.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
All I can think of is Ross set the lineup when lefty Holland was the scheduled starter and did not want to spring a lineup change on the players.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Ugh.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
fuuuuuuuuuuck that one sucks
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Maybe between extra innings last night and an early game tomorrow, he’s playing a bench-heavy lineup tonight to give tomorrow’s guys a full rest between games?
andcountingQuote Reply
RIP Tom Seaver
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
This strike zone has been pretty awful all night. Or Stallings is just exceptional at pitch framing.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Runs!
berseliusQuote Reply
What are the roster rules for playoff eligibility this season?
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
This year anyone on the 40-man roster by September 15 is eligible for the postseason. They’re keeping the 28- man roster through the playoffs along with a five-man taxi squad.
andcountingQuote Reply
I’m having one of those “I hate baseball” kinds of days.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
I am enjoying the season so far. I hope the Cubs keep most of these guys after this year
Nate the old recalcitrant one from a long time agoQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Ian Happ was having one of those “Eye hate baseball” days, I will show myself out.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
your conversational partner has disconnected
berseliusQuote Reply
Strop—->Cubs (minor league deal)
PerkinsQuote Reply
The real story of the 2020 Cubs season is that they felt confident enough to approve a billion ads for an Official Trashbag of the Chicago Cubs.
berseliusQuote Reply
Willson!!!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Willson again!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Darvish perfect through 5
berseliusQuote Reply
Have a game, Willson Contreras.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Nice E by the Card’s pitcher. Cubs have definitely run into some terrible D by their opponents in the last few games.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
It almost should be a team error when they make the pitcher field that.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I wonder if Goldschmidt was thinking, “Ok, buddy, you called it, you get it. We’ll see if you call that again.”
BVSQuote Reply
I love Yu, man.
andcountingQuote Reply
M ——> inverted
berseliusQuote Reply
Game 1 today starts at 4:15 in an attempt to lose an entire game in the sun.
andcountingQuote Reply
Happ’s seeing just fine (dying laughing).
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I would’ve considered Happ playing well enough to earn consistent playing time a pleasant surprise. I was not prepared for this scenario in which he’s the entire Cub offense.
andcountingQuote Reply
Not to mention the fact that Jason Heyward has been just behind him production wise.
berseliusQuote Reply
Look, I know hitting at this level is hard, but watching Souza take an 0-2 sinker in the strike zone with the bases loaded and no outs against a pitcher with a low strikeout rate makes me want to scream.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
And now they allow a run to score on a botched double play.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
I was more frustrated by him taking the first pitch since I figured it was his last chance of not striking out. (dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Pretty annoying 15 minutes of pretty shitty baseball.
andcountingQuote Reply
And now Souza is DFA. I admit, I feel a little guilty now.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Not great, Bob.
PerkinsQuote Reply
RIP Lou Brock
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
In a fast-paced pitchers’ duel, I can’t listen to the radio guys. That Xfinity spot every two minutes is unbearable.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
This
berseliusQuote Reply
Looks like Cyle made an appearance today.
Also gratz to my phone for autocorrecting to Cyle (dying laughing).
berseliusQuote Reply
(dying laughing) at jose valverde’s bref pic
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
It’s only a fraction of the ads they air. Can you believe that? A fraction!
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
it’s great how they claim to be “glass half-full” people, or whatever their exact verbiage is. no no no no you are very clearly two neurotic pricks who fly into a furor and think that the world is out to get you at the slightest sign of inconvenience. go fuck yourselves. xfinity can/should burn in hell.
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
It’s funny how they can make such a shitshow out of bashing AT&T, which is one of the shittiest companies out there (dying laughing). They tried to shoot fish in a barrel, but ended up shooting their own dicks off.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Well, we’ve all been there. Fortunately we’re dick’s-half-there kind of people.
andcountingQuote Reply
I haven’t given much thought to how perfect it is that the Cubs won the World Series on a throw from Bryant to Rizzo, but damn if that wasn’t the absolute best way for it to go.
andcountingQuote Reply
Bote!!!
PerkinsQuote Reply
Javy!!!
PerkinsQuote Reply
Mills is having a pretty good night.
berseliusQuote Reply
You can’t expect the Reds’ offense to do much against the Cubs without Billy Hamilton.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
M————> inverted
berseliusQuote Reply
He’s only 42. Cubs’ll probably sign him to alternate reality site tomorrow to take AJ Ramos’s spot.
BVSQuote Reply
berselius,
Not to mention the disclaimer at the end says that Xfinity isn’t available in all locations and the Gb service is only 952 Mb that isn’t gauranteed.
BVSQuote Reply
I’m only just now paying attention to this, but the Cubs play 8 of their final 12 games against AL teams, all of whom somehow have better records than the Cubs. The path to not making the postseason is still well-lit and free of obstruction.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
The Cubs just have to play up to their talent level and they’ll probably miss the playoffs.
dmick89Quote Reply
To-day’s base ball squadron includes Ildemaro Vargas. It also includes Jason Heyward, who I didn’t think we’d see in the lineup until tomorrow.
Carry on.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Don’t tell me what to do.
berseliusQuote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Not a great first inning for Darvish.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
berseliusQuote Reply
I guess Darvish picked the wrong day to have a rough five minutes.
andcountingQuote Reply
The Brewers beat the Tigers 19-0 yesterday. It wasn’t even the largest scoring difference of the day either.
Braves beat Marlins 29-9.
WaLiQuote Reply
Good old called third strike three fastball right down the middle by Bote.
andcountingQuote Reply
Nico!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
NICO!!!
andcountingQuote Reply
Happ!
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Runs, I have missed you!
berseliusQuote Reply
With 17 days remaining in the season, the Brewers will play 19 games, and the Cardinals will play 21. Granted, that’s including several 7-inning games, but that’s an awful lot of work on the pitching staff.
The Cubs have just 15 games in that stretch, but mostly against much better opponents. I still have no confidence in a good (Or any) postseason spot, but maybe that will change this weekend.
andcountingQuote Reply
the smart bet is always against the Cubs. I figure the Cubs have a 0% chance of making the playoffs. That’s probably all they should have. Ian Happ is their best hitter. A team with Ian Happ as their best hitter is not a good team. Especially when Heyward is the 2nd best hitter. That team sucks.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
(dying laughing), I agree except to add that the whole sport has kinda sucked. A few days ago Happ led all of baseball in OPS, which confused me.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
That’s how you know there’s like 1750 asterisks next to this season. It barely even counts. The All Star games count. 2020 maybe not so much.
dmick89Quote Reply
I’ll never regret the Lester signing, but the back end of a veteran contract is rarely pretty.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
As long as Yelich is barely hitting his weight, this year is going to count in my book. (dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
Good Kimbrel showed up today
berseliusQuote Reply
Cardinals lose.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Ugh.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
OK, the pitcher the Cubs are facing today, Brent Suter, really confuses me. He throws a fastball 80% of the time. His fastball averages 86 mph. He also has 24 strikeouts in 20 innings. How?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Without knowing much of anything about this season, I’d guess that he’s faced the Cubs a minimum of three times already. I could have those strikeout numbers if I faced the Cubs frequently enough.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
I wish Fangraphs had a swinging strike percentage for their batting practice sessions. I’m sure it works be in the double digits.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
Ugh. “Would,” not “works.” I hate virtual keyboards.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
dmick89,
As the Cubs strike out in order in the 1st on 12 pitches.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I should have bet $1000 on him striking out 14 tonight.
dmick89Quote Reply
Why do the Cubs hitters bother to bring bats? Tradition? Habit?
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the Rat,
They should just share a bat. Leave the rest for players on other teams that know what they’re for.
dmick89Quote Reply
dmick89,
If you look, they’re actually just cardboard cutouts of bats.
andcountingQuote Reply
If there’s one annoying constant of every Cubs team from 2017 on, it’s the absolute failure to stomp on a rival team’s neck when they have the chance.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I… did not see that coming.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Jason fucking Hayward!!
andcountingQuote Reply
Craig Kimbrel is coming in so chill out.
dmick89Quote Reply
I did not see that coming, either.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Tits.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I never doubted him for a second.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
That was a fun game. I can’t get enough of Hader getting crushed.
andcountingQuote Reply
Heyward!
/belated
berseliusQuote Reply
Milwaukee Brerrors.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Offense!
berseliusQuote Reply
Pile on, Cubs. Crush their souls.
PerkinsQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
andcountingQuote Reply
That should teach the Brewers not to randomly throw to an unoccupied base with Javier Baez at third.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
sadcraigcounsell dot jpeg
EnricoPallazzoQuote Reply
(dying laughing), Coomer called that RBI grounder to 2B to help move this inning along.
andcountingQuote Reply
Uh, ok.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
That was fun.
Rizzo the RatQuote Reply
Mills!
Just the guy we expected to throw the no hitter (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Holy shit.
PerkinsQuote Reply
I’m pretty sure everything that happened from the point Javy got up to face Hader last night in the 9th until now has been some alternate reality. Nothing makes sense. I’m ok with it.
andcountingQuote Reply
http://www.obstructedview.net/alec-mills-no-hits-the-brerrors/
berseliusQuote Reply