7/8/18 Big Red Machine (Cy Castillo) @ DESPIcubLES (Lester) 1:20 CST WGN

[PackLandVA]

So the Cubs get a come from behind win against the Mighty Reds. Who'd a thunk? I really don't know what to think about this game.

 

-On one hand, Johnny Lester is pitching. And he's been terrific in June.

-On the other hand, it's July. And many on NSBB think he's not pitching as well as his record.

 

-On one hand, Cubs killer William Hamilton will be in the lineup. In his career, he's batting .333 against aforementioned Lester with two HRs, a .364 OBP, 1.030 OPS and 6 stolen bases.

-On the other hand, in the past two years he's only 1 for 11 with 3 Ks and ZERO stolen bases against the big southpaw.

 

-On one hand, Cy Castillo is starting for the Reds, and he's really not that good. At least not yet.

-On the other hand, the Reds have beaten the Cubs in Cy Castillo's last two starts against them this year. And the Cubs haven't hit him particularly well. And did I mention the Cubs often struggle against mediocre pitchers?

 

-On one hand, the Cubs have been pretty good of late, wining 7 of their last 8, albeit against some weaker teams.

-On the other hand, the Reds have been pretty good of late themselves, winning 14 of 19 against a couple of good teams.

 

-One one hand, I feel pretty good about the Cubs chances in this one. Despite my mid-game rant Saturday about the lack of offense, they've been pretty good at scoring runs of late.

-On the other hand......

 

http://memeguy.com/photos/images/dont-get-your-hopes-up--7473.jpg

 

 

Maybe I'll hit the bike trails again tomorrow and be pleasantly surprised when I get back and flip the game on. On the hand, I think it might rain.

[UMFan83]

This is completely random and only a little related to the game but I just realized the Cubs are in the middle of a month long stretch of 20 straight games without on starting between 6-8 PM central time. Seems insane to go that long without an evening game (that doesn’t start at 9).

 

Streak started during the Saturday game of that disaster in Cincinnati and will end the first game after the All star break in 12 days.

[jersey cubs fan]

So the Cubs get a come from behind win against the Mighty Reds. Who'd a thunk? I really don't know what to think about this game.

 

-On one hand, Johnny Lester is pitching. And he's been terrific in June.

-On the other hand, it's July. And many on NSBB think he's not pitching as well as his record.

 

-On one hand, Cubs killer William Hamilton will be in the lineup. In his career, he's batting .333 against aforementioned Lester with two HRs, a .364 OBP, 1.030 OPS and 6 stolen bases.

-On the other hand, in the past two years he's only 1 for 11 with 3 Ks and ZERO stolen bases against the big southpaw.

 

-On one hand, Cy Castillo is starting for the Reds, and he's really not that good. At least not yet.

-On the other hand, the Reds have beaten the Cubs in Cy Castillo's last two starts against them this year. And the Cubs haven't hit him particularly well. And did I mention the Cubs often struggle against mediocre pitchers?

 

-On one hand, the Cubs have been pretty good of late, wining 7 of their last 8, albeit against some weaker teams.

-On the other hand, the Reds have been pretty good of late themselves, winning 14 of 19 against a couple of good teams.

 

-One one hand, I feel pretty good about the Cubs chances in this one. Despite my mid-game rant Saturday about the lack of offense, they've been pretty good at scoring runs of late.

-On the other hand......

 

http://memeguy.com/photos/images/dont-get-your-hopes-up--7473.jpg

 

 

Maybe I'll hit the bike trails again tomorrow and be pleasantly surprised when I get back and flip the game on. On the hand, I think it might rain.

 

[PackLandVA]

Gotta hand it to ya’ Jersey, took me a sec to get your meme.

[UMFan83]

With the off day next Thursday and the ASB afterwards, any chance they skip Chatwoods spot this week? I know Joe errs toward the side of the extra day of rest but if there was ever a logical spot to skip a rotation spot this would be it.

[Brian707]

[tweet]

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[Derwood]

Hey Joe Maddon (since you're reading this), please reverse Happ and Baez so that your infield defense is optimal, kthxbye

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hey Joe Maddon (since you're reading this), please reverse Happ and Baez so that your infield defense is optimal, kthxbye

 

Why do you think Báez at third and Happ at second is optimal?

[Derwood]

Hey Joe Maddon (since you're reading this), please reverse Happ and Baez so that your infield defense is optimal, kthxbye

 

Why do you think Báez at third and Happ at second is optimal?

 

Because the small sample size of Happ at third was kind of a disaster

[Cubswin11]

Hey Joe Maddon (since you're reading this), please reverse Happ and Baez so that your infield defense is optimal, kthxbye

 

Why do you think Báez at third and Happ at second is optimal?

 

Because the small sample size of Happ at third was kind of a disaster

I thought Happ looked pretty good at 3B from the eye test the few games he’s played

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

Why do you think Báez at third and Happ at second is optimal?

 

Because the small sample size of Happ at third was kind of a disaster

I thought Happ looked pretty good at 3B from the eye test the few games he’s played

 

I ageee. And Javy is clearly at second to try to steal an out with his tagging abilities since Lester is pitching and Billy Hamilton continues to be a thorn in our side.

[Tim]

 

Why do you think Báez at third and Happ at second is optimal?

 

Because the small sample size of Happ at third was kind of a disaster

I thought Happ looked pretty good at 3B from the eye test the few games he’s played

Nevermind him, he's just Derwooding. In a minimal sample size, Happ has graded out fantastically at 3B this year with a UZR/150 rating of 25.1.

 

fwiw - the Cubs have only played him at 2B for a single inning this year, with no chances during that time. He was slightly below average there last year.

[Derwood]

Eh, the couple of games I saw him at third weren’t pretty. Whatever, we’re winning by ten

[PackLandVA]

Strong defensively "up the middle", right? Keep Javy, Russell and 'bert up the middle.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

I do remember Happ pulling a Buckner, but apart from that being literally awesome at 3b.

[UMFan83]

Bass going on the DL. James Norwood being called up.

 

Bryant and Duensing going to Tennessee for rehab assisgnments

[Tim]

I do remember Happ pulling a Buckner, but apart from that being literally awesome at 3b.

You're a Cubs fan. That's a Durham, not a Buckner.

 

[Tim]

Bass going on the DL. James Norwood being called up.

 

Bryant and Duensing going to Tennessee for rehab assisgnments

Huh...were there only 39 on the 40 man? Or...who got knocked off?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Bass going on the DL. James Norwood being called up.

 

Bryant and Duensing going to Tennessee for rehab assisgnments

Huh...were there only 39 on the 40 man? Or...who got knocked off?

Gimenez.

 

We were speculating they’d add Mekkes with the vacant 40-man spot but I guess Norwood gets the first crack.

[Cubswin11]

Bass going on the DL. James Norwood being called up.

 

Bryant and Duensing going to Tennessee for rehab assisgnments

Huh...were there only 39 on the 40 man? Or...who got knocked off?

Gimenez I believe

[Tim]

Bass going on the DL. James Norwood being called up.

 

Bryant and Duensing going to Tennessee for rehab assisgnments

Huh...were there only 39 on the 40 man? Or...who got knocked off?

Gimenez.

 

We were speculating they’d add Mekkes with the vacant 40-man spot but I guess Norwood gets the first crack.

Ahhhh, that's right.

[ScrubMD]

With the off day next Thursday and the ASB afterwards, any chance they skip Chatwoods spot this week? I know Joe errs toward the side of the extra day of rest but if there was ever a logical spot to skip a rotation spot this would be it.

 

Give Jose Albertos a spot start, just for fun.

[muntjack]

First game at Wrigley in 26 years. Please win, Cubs.

[Derwood]

First game at Wrigley in 26 years. Please win, Cubs.

 

No, I’m pretty sure they played a game there yesterday

[ScrubMD]

4 pitch first is a nice change of pace. When was the last time a Cubs pitcher threw fewer than 20 in the first?