Giants (Ray) vs Cubs (Brown): 5/7/25, 1:20pm

[Derwood]

Nico would’ve had his first homer if it was a wind-neutral day

[NorthsideAvenger]

The Giants was more opportunistic and less good during this series. Frustrating because this series could have easily been a sweep for the Cubs. 

[CubinNY]

15 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

The Giants was more opportunistic and less good during this series. Frustrating because this series could have easily been a sweep for the Cubs. 

Yes these were frustrating game. 

[Stratos]

Pen didn't give up 9 runs in 1 inning though.

[Jason Ross]

43 minutes ago, Stratos said:

Pen didn't give up 9 runs in 1 inning though.

To blame last night on "the pen" is unfair. 

Six pitchers combined for 6 IP, 0 ER, and four base runners. One pitcher was charged with 8 ER, (9 in total) and six base runners without recording an out.

One pitcher was bad. Pressley's bad inning doesn't mean that Keller, Pomeranz, Thielbar, Hodge, Palencia and Flexen were bad. It means Ryan Pressley was bad.

[Rcal10]

27 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

To blame last night on "the pen" is unfair. 

Six pitchers combined for 6 IP, 0 ER, and four base runners. One pitcher was charged with 8 ER, (9 in total) and six base runners without recording an out.

One pitcher was bad. Pressley's bad inning doesn't mean that Keller, Pomeranz, Thielbar, Hodge, Palencia and Flexen were bad. It means Ryan Pressley was bad.

On top of that, prior to Pressly’s meltdown the pen had the 5th lowest ERA in all of baseball since April 21st. Yes, it has had bad moments and it does need a little work. But it doesn’t suck. Granted, that is limited innings, but it is the most recent innings and innings after Counsell moved some pieces out and others in. It is very easy for people to come and post the pen (or in the case of last night, one pen arm) sucks when they blowup and then remain silent while it is doing great work. 

[CUBDOM4life]

Considering Wicks started for IA today and how busy the bullpen has been, we can safely assume Horton will make his debut this weekend right? Cubs play 12 games in the next 14 days, so we can’t just skip rotation spots.

[Jason Ross]

Just now, CUBDOM4life said:

Considering Wicks started for IA today and how busy the bullpen has been, we can safely assume Horton will make his debut this weekend right? Cubs play 12 games in the next 14 days, so we can’t just skip rotation spots.

I think its likely, yes. There's a chance they go with a bullpen day where Flexen goes 3 to start, but I think Horton is the most likely scenario. 

[Derwood]

JD didn't seem to think they would throw him against the Mets in his debut

[CUBDOM4life]

5 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I think its likely, yes. There's a chance they go with a bullpen day where Flexen goes 3 to start, but I think Horton is the most likely scenario. 

The Flexen BP day would make more sense to me if there were more off days coming up but that’s not the case, so I’ll plan to be front and center at the living room tv this weekend. Can’t wait 

[Rcal10]

8 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I think its likely, yes. There's a chance they go with a bullpen day where Flexen goes 3 to start, but I think Horton is the most likely scenario. 

I think it will be Horton. 

[JHBulls]

If it was my choice, I wouldn’t throw Cade in against the Mets first up. But he has to start somewhere and this is just how it lines up with Shota going down. 

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Derwood said:

JD didn't seem to think they would throw him against the Mets in his debut

Mets offense is good but not great.  Their pitching has been their real strength.

Edited May 8, 2025 by Stratos

[Hot Sauce]

1 hour ago, JHBulls said:

If it was my choice, I wouldn’t throw Cade in against the Mets first up. But he has to start somewhere and this is just how it lines up with Shota going down. 

Just going off of my own observation here, it seems like pitchers historically tend to have the advantage when making their debuts. I would love to see some actual numbers on this. I would send him against the Mets without much concern. 

[Rcal10]

39 minutes ago, Stratos said:

Mets offense is good but not great.  Their pitching has been their real strength.

Agreed. They are winning with pitching. They have a better offense than either the Marlins or Nationals, but if it is his spot to pitch and it happens to me against the Mets, I would let him pitch. 

[Irrelevant Dude]

I wouldn't be scared to throw Horton against the Mets.  You can try to find the "perfect spot" for a guy's debut all day long, but he still has to make pitches no matter what team he is facing.  He is lined up perfectly and appears to be ready, so give him a shot.

[JD94]

I agree that they should throw him against the Mets. It just lines up perfectly. But holy horsefeathers… talking about a welcome to the big leagues moment. First 3 hitters you face are Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso lmao

[JHBulls]

12 minutes ago, JD94 said:

I agree that they should throw him against the Mets. It just lines up perfectly. But holy horsefeathers… talking about a welcome to the big leagues moment. First 3 hitters you face are Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso lmao

InB4 Immaculate inning. 

[thawv]

14 hours ago, Hunter said:

Why did Pomeranz only throw 3 pitches before getting yanked.

The inning was over

[BigbadB]

11 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I think it will be Horton. 

Can Shaw share a cab with him? 

[Irrelevant Dude]

1 hour ago, BigbadB said:

Can Shaw share a cab with him? 

How far is Shaw from buying the extra year of service time?

[WhyCantWeWin]

Kaplan said he’s hearing Horton is going to get called up for the NY series 

[mul21]

18 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

How far is Shaw from buying the extra year of service time?

They should already be in the clear there.  He's been in Iowa for 24 days and 172 days is a full year of service time.  No way he hits that with already being down that long.

[We Got The Whole 9]

He is just not getting to his power this year. He has 1 HR and 3 doubles and I'm pretty sure 2 of those weren't even well-struck. His EV is 85 and his LA is 4.4... in AAA. 31% hard-hit. Nothing like the guy he was last year. Something is still not right.

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

He is just not getting to his power this year. He has 1 HR and 3 doubles and I'm pretty sure 2 of those weren't even well-struck. His EV is 85 and his LA is 4.4... in AAA. 31% hard-hit. Nothing like the guy he was last year. Something is still not right.

Exactly. I had hoped it would be a short stint at Iowa, but it doesn’t look that way. I haven’t lost hope in him, but they aren’t going to bring him back until he is hitting with authority. It just takes time. It isn’t that unusual that a kid has to be sent back down. Much like PCA of last year, I think when they bring him back he will be ready to play everyday and contribute.