Blue Jays (Francis) vs Cubs (Imanaga): 8/18/24, 1:20pm

[Brock Beauchamp]

[Bertz]

After Kyle's short start and yesterday's rain delay nonsense the bullpen is pretty shredded.  Wonder if we get a move or two today.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

3 minutes ago, Bertz said:

After Kyle's short start and yesterday's rain delay nonsense the bullpen is pretty shredded.  Wonder if we get a move or two today.

Shota start and an off day tomorrow hopefully helps, though the current pen is light on obvious candidates.  5 of the 8 can't be optioned, Hodge is not gonna be optioned in his form, which leaves Roberts(the only currently fresh arm) and Pearson(a weird developmental move).  The other silver lining is that Miller, Lopez, and Smyly haven't thrown too many pitches in their outings, so I could see them sticking with the status quo and counting on Shota + Roberts to make it through 7, then picking one of those guys to go a 3rd day and then Neris.  With 9 straight before an off day right before expanded rosters, if Roberts goes multiple innings I wouldn't be shocked if he goes down after today though.

[PackLandVA]

Not related to today's game, but it looks like Skubal is starting tonight against the Yankees. So the Cubs will miss him in the Detroit series.  Big plus!!

[Rcal10]

We might even see Assad for a few innings today. Counsil seemed to suggest that because of the low pitch count by Steele he might bring him back in the Tigers series. If he did that they could skip Assad. So he might be able to give a few innings if needed. 
It also seems Counsil doesn’t trust Roberts. I wouldn’t be shocked if he was sent down with either Palencia or Neely brought up(unless they pitched yesterday). 

Edited August 18, 2024 by Rcal10

[LBiittner]

Wondering if Brent honeywell is worth a taking a chance? Has/had the arm as a prospect. After 2 TJ's who knows?

[PackLandVA]

Wisdom gets the start at 3B for Paredes. With a RHSP starter for the Jays.  Odd.  
 

PCA moves up a notch in the batting order, hitting seventh.

[LBiittner]

8 minutes ago, PackLandVA said:

Wisdom gets the start at 3B for Paredes. With a RHSP starter for the Jays.  Odd.  
 

PCA moves up a notch in the batting order, hitting seventh.

Paredes is hurt. 

Bote would have been my choice. I smell a golden Sombrero for p-wis

Edited August 18, 2024 by LBiittner

[WhyCantWeWin]

Riiiiight shoulder discomfort, riiiiight

[Derwood]

30 pitch 1st inning is less than ideal with a thin bullpen

[chibears55]

15 minutes ago, WhyCantWeWin said:

Riiiiight shoulder discomfort, riiiiight

More like having only 9 hits in 58 AB with 11 Ks since he been here , 2 for last 20 4 Ks

🤷‍♂️😏😏 

[Eeyore]

🙁

[UMFan83]

HR ball is starting to annoy me with Shota. He’s so damn good outside of that. 

[JHBulls]

Silly challenge. I mean WTF. The call was so close that anyone reviewing it could see it would be way too close to overturn. 

[Geographyhater8888]

Morel has 7 hits in 65 at bats with 2 homers 6 walks and a 33 OPS+ since being traded. 

[Cubbies1996]

lol Amaya crushed that ball and the wind kills it 😑😑😑

[chibears55]

Anyone else notice the white box zone they have looks low on some hitters, the top of zone is closer to hitters waist

[Rex Buckingham]

great hustle from Seiya

[Rex Buckingham]

ump changes the AB and possibly swings the game with that bad call

Edited August 18, 2024 by Rex Buckingham

[Derwood]

This ump is fuccking horrible part 100

 

[Cubbies1996]

Constantly getting shafted by these umpires

[Illiterate Scholar]

I'm so horsefeathers tired of these umpires. That's slider moving away, how does that fool you that much as a 22 year MLB veteran umpire. horsefeathers

[Cubbies1996]

But it’s also just going to be one of THOSE days for the offense

[Eeyore]

But if we have an automated strike zone we'll lose the human element 🥺

[Rex Buckingham]

it's just such a correctable flaw... it's just insane that they continue to allow the umpires to have such an undue influence on the game