Mariners (Kirby) vs Cubs (Boyd): 6/20/25, 1:20pm

[We Got The Whole 9]

Swanson whiffs on ball 4 to set up the swinging K right in the zone

 

Hey Buschy!

[PeanutPunch33]

What a clutch hit 

[squally1313]

Michael Busch is so good at hitting

[chibears55]

Busch saves the inning,  big 2 out hit for the lead.

[Derwood]

Hey, look, Dansby fails with RISP again.

At least he hits those solo dingers

But seriously, move him down in the lineup for fucks sake

[Geographyhater8888]

Good job Busch. It feels like it’s been a month since they drove in multiple runs on a hit that wasn’t a home run.

Edited June 20, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[UMFan83]

8 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

haha I was exaggerating a bit.  But he is on an absolute tear.  I came into today knowing he'd get a HR.  He could end up with 50 HR this year

"could end up with 50"?  I believe he's on pace for 61 right now.

[PeanutPunch33]

Offense has been great, but I agree with the sentiment that the Cubs should explore a guy at 3B that can slide into that #5 spot and move Swanson down.  This is a special offense, now go for the kill. 

 

[gflore34]

It's sad that my first thought when Swanson came up - well, at least, it'll be harder for him to hit into multiple outs.

[PeanutPunch33]

2 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

"could end up with 50"?  I believe he's on pace for 61 right now.

It's crazy how much he's improved year over year.  They have a well rounded team, wouldn't surprise me to see them make some noise in the playoffs

[Geographyhater8888]

With no one on and Arozarena on deck, I wouldn’t have given Raleigh anything near the middle of plate with the wind conditions.

Edited June 20, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[PeanutPunch33]

that's why Dansby is awesome, despite his Darwin Barney like ABs 

[squally1313]

7 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Offense has been great, but I agree with the sentiment that the Cubs should explore a guy at 3B that can slide into that #5 spot and move Swanson down.  This is a special offense, now go for the kill. 

 

If only we had any evidence on hand of what happened when you let a top prospect struggle at the major league level for a few hundred PAs while providing plus defense, and how that turned ultimately turned out by the end of the year and going forward

Edited June 20, 2025 by squally1313

[gflore34]

4 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

With no one on and Arozarena on deck, I wouldn’t have given Raleigh anything near the middle of plate.

Think it was a mistake, most especially with Raleigh propensity for swinging at the first pitch, keep away from the middle.

[PeanutPunch33]

1 minute ago, squally1313 said:

If only we had any evidence on hand of what happened when you let a top prospect struggle at the major league level for a few hundred PAs while providing plus defense, and how that turned ultimately turned out by the end of the year and going forward

Shaw isn't in the same stratosphere as PCA as a prospect.  If that's the type of improvement you are expecting from him, you will be disappointed.  He'd probably already be on a bus back to Iowa if the Cubs had any viable option at 3b besides him 

[gflore34]

I just want to see Shaw hit the ball hard, doesn't matter if it's a hit.

[Dfan25]

If this continues , they will need to get a 3B at the deadline that can give them something on offense .

Outside of Suarez , is there someone out there that can help ? Honestly , I can’t think of anybody .  3B is such a weak position around the league .

[javy knows my name]

4 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Shaw isn't in the same stratosphere as PCA as a prospect.  If that's the type of improvement you are expecting from him, you will be disappointed.  He'd probably already be on a bus back to Iowa if the Cubs had any viable option at 3b besides him 

No

[gflore34]

3 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Shaw isn't in the same stratosphere as PCA as a prospect.  If that's the type of improvement you are expecting from him, you will be disappointed.  He'd probably already be on a bus back to Iowa if the Cubs had any viable option at 3b besides him 

I think you're correct, Jed may be looking at bringing someone who give them offense at 3B in addition to SP.

[PeanutPunch33]

2 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

I just want to see Shaw hit the ball hard, doesn't matter if it's a hit.

Squally also doesn't take into account that the circumstances are different this year.  The Cubs had nothing to lose by letting PCA play every day last year despite some struggles, they weren't competing for anything.  

They have a chance to win the WS this year.  I don't want the Cubs to lose a playoff game because of Matt Shaw being a blackhole on offense.  

[squally1313]

1 minute ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Shaw isn't in the same stratosphere as PCA as a prospect.  If that's the type of improvement you are expecting from him, you will be disappointed.  He'd probably already be on a bus back to Iowa if the Cubs had any viable option at 3b besides him 

2024 Fangraphs Top 100 Prospect List: PCA 20, Shaw 32

2025 Fangraphs Top 100 Prospect List: Shaw 13

Through 170 PAs last year (Shaw is at 167 going into today), PCA was slashing 194/241/284. Shaw is at 225/299/325. 

Obviously I'm not saying that we should expect a similar progression. But they were absolutely similarly regarded, Shaw is doing better at this point in his major league career, the learning curve at the MLB level is very steep, and this weird thing where Shaw's development is somehow tied to people thinking Dansby sucks in specific at bats is dumb and should stop. 

[Geographyhater8888]

I understand the optics of not signing Bregman to a 4 year deal when you’re expecting Shaw to be a key contributor by 2026 but he’d complete the lineup. I’d prefer him or Seiya in the 5 hole.

[mul21]

7 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Shaw isn't in the same stratosphere as PCA as a prospect.  If that's the type of improvement you are expecting from him, you will be disappointed.  He'd probably already be on a bus back to Iowa if the Cubs had any viable option at 3b besides him 

PCA peaked at 14 and Shaw at 23 so you're just talking out your ass here.

[We Got The Whole 9]

In the summer of 1993 a bunch of us shaved our heads in honor of Onyx... and all of us ended up with scorched and itchy scalps. Absolute misery.

[Dfan25]

2 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

Squally also doesn't take into account that the circumstances are different this year.  The Cubs had nothing to lose by letting PCA play every day last year despite some struggles, they weren't competing for anything.  

They have a chance to win the WS this year.  I don't want the Cubs to lose a playoff game because of Matt Shaw being a blackhole on offense.  

Exactly ,but the problem is that there just isn’t much of anything on the market that can help , unless Ari sells