https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/page/156/?d=7enhttps://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/jordan-wicks-changed-his-fastball-but-is-it-better-r742/Fastball usage is down only slightly across Major League Baseball so far this year compared to last. According to Statcast’s pitch type data, through Saturday’s games, 31.6 percent of pitches so far this year have been fastballs. Last year, that number was 32.3 percent.  For the Chicago Cubs...742Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:06:27 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/adbert-alzolay-and-hopefully-eventually-a-better-way-to-measure-relievers-rest-r741/We talk too much about relievers' talent and skill sets, which we have a hard time pinning down, anyway. We talk too little, by contrast, about relievers' usage, and the fact that their rest (or lack thereof) drives much of the performance we see.   Although they had a winning road trip...741Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:54:36 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/the-ongoing-evolution-of-ian-happ-r740/How is a switch-hitting left fielder like a two-time Oscar winner? There’s an episode of The Office where various members of the office staff discuss whether Hilary Swank is hot or not. The discussion spirals into a debate which results in a seemingly endless stalemate. This is where I find...740Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:55:25 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/kyle-hendricks-cant-be-on-the-active-roster-right-now-r739/Nothing ends pretty. As long as it stays pretty, it doesn't end. As long as it doesn't end, it stays at least partly pretty. Everything is all the way ugly for Kyle Hendricks right now. If this isn't the very end, it's pretty close, and Hendricks has to be shelved for a while. I'm not tellin...739Wed, 17 Apr 2024 04:35:12 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/when-should-we-expect-to-see-justin-steele-again-r737/As the Chicago Cubs get ready to welcome one veteran starter back from the injured list, they face some interesting questions about their rotation. Hopefully, we're not far at all from seeing another key hurler, and even more difficult dilemmas. Justin Steele went down with a hamstring strai...737Tue, 16 Apr 2024 16:45:58 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/keegan-thompson-took-advantage-of-a-league-wide-approach-flaw-monday-night-r736/In an exciting comeback win Monday night, the Chicago Cubs did just about everything right. They still required some good luck along the way, but at the end of the game, they sewed up the victory with savvy work by a veteran catcher and a pitcher on the brink. As we discussed over the weeken...736Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:03:49 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/how-long-will-cubs-be-without-seiya-suzuki-and-how-do-they-fill-his-spot-r735/Halfway through a successful but fragile-feeling April, the Chicago Cubs have to weather a major shakeup in their lineup. Their star right fielder (and perhaps their best overall hitter) will be gone for a while. It felt ominous, early Monday morning, when Jesse Rogers reported that the Cubs...735Mon, 15 Apr 2024 22:18:27 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/top-prospect-alexander-canario-called-up-to-cubs-is-another-move-coming-r733/The 9-6 Cubs are recalling one of the most prodigious power bats from their farm system. Alexander Canario, the 12th-ranked prospect on North Side Baseball, technically got the call last year. Still, after being sporadically used by former manager David Ross, he hasn’t been given an opportun...733Mon, 15 Apr 2024 15:54:10 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/monday-morning-north-sider-michael-buschs-west-coast-scorcher-assadmanaga-the-masters-more-r731/The Chicago Cubs went 3-3 this week on the first two legs of a West Coast trip. A couple of players are close to returning from injury. The Masters just wrapped up. Oh yeah, it’s mid-April alright. This week’s showing wasn’t nearly as impressive as last week’s 5-1 performance against the Col...731Mon, 15 Apr 2024 12:09:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/ben-brown-tommy-john-surgery-risk-velocity-spin/The Chicago Cubs announced Sunday that Ben Brown will make his second career start Monday night in Arizona. Brown has been a revelation for the starter-needy Cubs this April, but can he hold up?   Although Jameson Taillon is right on the cusp of a return to the Cubs' starting rotation,...730Mon, 15 Apr 2024 11:11:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/week-in-review-busch-morel-brown-bullpen-west-coast/Chicago Cubs baseball has been on a West Coast swing! If you missed any of last week's action, here's a quick recap of how the North Siders fared against the Padres and Mariners. Record Last Week: 3-3 Runs Scored: 24 Runs Surrendered: 27 Standing: T-3rd in NL Central (1.5 GB)...732Mon, 15 Apr 2024 10:13:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/kohl-franklin-leaves-triple-a-debut-hurt-jameson-taillon-on-verge-of-return-r728/The Chicago Cubs are about to get back one of their injured veteran starting pitchers, but the injury bug bit again Saturday--this time, one of their young, ascendant arms in the minors.   Jameson Taillon will meet the Cubs in Arizona, as they finish their long Western road trip this we...728Sun, 14 Apr 2024 13:51:02 +0000