Cardinals (Liberatore) vs Cubs (Pomeranz/Wicks): 7/5/25, 1:20pm

[Brandon Glick]

Drew Pomeranz will give way to Jordan Wicks today. Hopefully it won't matter since the offense will hit 9 home runs, right?

[UMFan83]

Just for fun here is where the Cubs starting position players rank in fWAR for their position

C - Kelly - 5th - 1.9 fWAR

1B - Busch - 3rd - 2.3 fWAR

2B - Hoerner - 5th - 2.0 fWAR

3B - Ehhhh

SS - Swanson - 12th - 1.9 fWAR

LF - Happ - 16th - 1.0 fWAR (missed a month)

CF - PCA - 1st - 4.6 fWAR

RF - Tucker - 2nd - 3.9 fWAR

[Cubbies1996]

Cubs pitchers need to keep the ball down today with the wind. Cardinals pitchers can just throw down the middle again

[NorthsideAvenger]

Sounds like Busch will be in the lineup against the lefty. 

[muntjack]

Of the top 14 hitters in the NL (wRC+), 4 are Cubs.  #s 5, 7, 12, 14

Manny Machado would be the 5th best hitter in the lineup.  

In the NL Central, the top 4 hitters are all Cubs.

[Geographyhater8888]

The optics of sitting Busch after hitting 3 home runs including 1 vs a lefty finally pushed Counsell to try this novel idea of putting Busch in the lineup vs lefty in place of a guy whose signature Cub moment was wearing fake balls.

Edited July 5, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[cubfansince77]

13 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

The optics of sitting Busch after hitting 3 home runs including 1 vs a lefty finally pushed Counsell to try this novel idea of putting Busch in the lineup vs lefty in place of a guy whose signature Cub moment was wearing fake balls.

LOL...you nailed it. Turner and Brujan both need to go. Waste of space.

[BKHoo]

We also have to have top 5 catcher production. All three catchers have a slug north of .485. 

[Geographyhater8888]

I’d have to look this up but good bet Michael Busch and PCA are at least top 5 in wRC+ on Apple TV broadcasts in 2025.

[chibears55]

1 hour ago, UMFan83 said:

Just for fun here is where the Cubs starting position players rank in fWAR for their position

C - Kelly - 5th - 1.9 fWAR

1B - Busch - 3rd - 2.3 fWAR

2B - Hoerner - 5th - 2.0 fWAR

3B - Ehhhh

SS - Swanson - 12th - 1.9 fWAR

LF - Happ - 16th - 1.0 fWAR (missed a month)

CF - PCA - 1st - 4.6 fWAR

RF - Tucker - 2nd - 3.9 fWAR

So, could use another upgrade at 3B, SS, and LF..

Top 5 or go home 😏😏😏

 

[PeanutPunch33]

1 hour ago, UMFan83 said:

Just for fun here is where the Cubs starting position players rank in fWAR for their position

C - Kelly - 5th - 1.9 fWAR

1B - Busch - 3rd - 2.3 fWAR

2B - Hoerner - 5th - 2.0 fWAR

3B - Ehhhh

SS - Swanson - 12th - 1.9 fWAR

LF - Happ - 16th - 1.0 fWAR (missed a month)

CF - PCA - 1st - 4.6 fWAR

RF - Tucker - 2nd - 3.9 fWAR

They are pretty set.  Just need to upgrade Darwin Barney Shaw 🙂

[chibears55]

1 hour ago, UMFan83 said:

Just for fun here is where the Cubs starting position players rank in fWAR for their position

C - Kelly - 5th - 1.9 fWAR

1B - Busch - 3rd - 2.3 fWAR

2B - Hoerner - 5th - 2.0 fWAR

3B - Ehhhh

SS - Swanson - 12th - 1.9 fWAR

LF - Happ - 16th - 1.0 fWAR (missed a month)

CF - PCA - 1st - 4.6 fWAR

RF - Tucker - 2nd - 3.9 fWAR

In all seriousness, even if they stick with Shaw at 3B because at least he's been solid with the glove there, the regulars on offense has proven to be solid overall, and because of that, Hoyer just needs to really focus on bringing in the needed pitching before the deadline that could put them not just division contenders but also be serious contenders to win the pennant and WS.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

PCA through 7/4:

2024: .199/.247/.299, 3 HRs

2025: .274/.309/.559, 23 HRs

[Eeyore]

I'm hoping that Liberatore doesn't look like Prime Tom Glavine today 

[muntjack]

Shaw's PAs have been much better since his adjustment.  I would bet heavily on increased production moving forward. He has played elite defense.  Stick with him and sell out for pitching. 

[PeanutPunch33]

DP as an opener is so spicy.  I love it 

[Eeyore]

Why did J.D. say that Berti isn't a legitimate pitcher 😔

[Cubbies1996]

Can’t give up walks to a struggling team!

[chibears55]

Pomeranz not gonna make it out of first inning is he?

[Hot Sauce]

2 hours ago, UMFan83 said:

Just for fun here is where the Cubs starting position players rank in fWAR for their position

C - Kelly - 5th - 1.9 fWAR

1B - Busch - 3rd - 2.3 fWAR

2B - Hoerner - 5th - 2.0 fWAR

3B - Ehhhh

SS - Swanson - 12th - 1.9 fWAR

LF - Happ - 16th - 1.0 fWAR (missed a month)

CF - PCA - 1st - 4.6 fWAR

RF - Tucker - 2nd - 3.9 fWAR

Nico and Busch are both undeappreciated outside of Chicago.

[Hot Sauce]

Just now, chibears55 said:

Pomeranz not gonna make it out of first inning is he?

Nope. Really didn't want to burn Flexen like this. 

[Cubs206]

Drew didn’t know how to pitch today so he’s already done but Cards threatening as Flexen comes in. Ugh bullpen games. 

[PeanutPunch33]

man... hope this doesn't get ugly 

[chibears55]

Yea, that didn't work out so well.

He looked off the other night and needed help getting out of the inning scoreless. 

Edited July 5, 2025 by chibears55

[chibears55]

Flexen need the K here or DP