4/12/24 Cubs (Wicks) @ Mariners (Miller) - 8:40 PM(Apple TV+)

[mfcubs22]

It’s 2 bad offensive games in a row. Previous to that: 5, 8, 8, 1, 9, 9, 12 runs scored. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

this home plate umpire has been incredible, I think I’ve maybe seen one missed call by K-zone

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Busch turning around 98 mph hook it to my veins

[Crusader]

6 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

looks like the only question remaining is when will Counsell unleash Thompson’s dominance in high leverage innings?

He kind of already did. It was just a 3 run game when he brought him in. Hell yeah, Michael Busch.

[JHBulls]

Woken up in the 9th. Always good when that happens lol. 

Edited April 13, 2024 by JHBulls

[WhyCantWeWin]

Have to say I was wildly wrong about Busch, very impressed by him offensively. He’s got work to do defense wise though. 

[Stratos]

1 hour ago, Crusader said:

Well, there's still a lot there to like. If anything this year, he's shown he's got more potential. He's getting more whiffs, and he's doing it uncharacteristically with his fastball. It's almost like he's getting Steele-ish success with that pitch, and his slider this year has also seen an uptick in stuff. His best pitch last year was his changeup, which so far this year hasn't been super effective. If he can find the changeup he had from last year with everything else going for him he could be a legit #3.

Looks on Baseball Savant after his start.  The fastball will be key for him.  Last year they pummeled his 4-seamer, this year so far it's been very effective, .230 xwoba this year vs .394 last year, and he's more than doubled the whiff% on it.  Still small samples though.

The velo seems to be ticking down a bit since his first start, back to sitting around 92 mph this start and last start vs Dodgers.  Maybe 1st-start adrenaline vs Texas had it tick up.  Avg velo this year now 92.6 compared to 92.2 last year.

Edited April 13, 2024 by Stratos

[Bertz]

Don't overthink it, Wicks has been awesome this year its just the .438 BABIP and some associated nibbling with all the extra traffic.

And good lord Busch has been incredible. 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

11 hours ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

this home plate umpire has been incredible, I think I’ve maybe seen one missed call by K-zone

take a bow Chad Whitson