Cubs (Taillon) vs Rays (McClanahan): 4/6/26, 3:10pm

[Brock Beauchamp]

The moment everyone has been waiting for: the return of Tropicana Field.

Let's all hit a catwalk in celebration.

	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN	TOT
Brown, B	0	0	0	0	42	42
Milner	0	0	10	0	14	24
Webb, J	0	0	29	0	20	49
Maton	0	0	0	0	0	0
Thielbar	13	0	0	0	28	41
Harvey	20	0	30	0	0	50
Palencia	9	0	0	0	13	22
Rea	0	0	57	0	0	57
Roberts	0	0	0	0	13	13

[chibears55]

Gonna need a big start out of Taillon tonight,  hopefully he can go 6. 

Bats need to step it up and get going this series.

Waiting to see if Brown or someone else goes down for a fresh arm to come up for this series. 

[Soul]

Well I’m done with Ben but nobody cares what I think so whatever.

[Bull]

Have I mentioned how much i love having the bullpen usage report on the first page of game threads?  'Cuz I do. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Somehow things aren't nearly as bad under the hood Offensively as I suspected. 

 

They are below the league average in chase rate. They have the 2nd highest hard-hit rate according to statcast (but way off the number fg has on standard dashboard) top 10 in EV and LA, and yet all of that has led to far below average barrel%. 

 

Their xba is pathetic, and so is the BABIP.

 

You would think maybe the extreme pop-ups have inflated the LA but even the IFFB% is way below average. 

[Geographyhater8888]

6 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Somehow things aren't nearly as bad under the hood Offensively as I suspected. 

 

They are below the league average in chase rate. They have the 2nd highest hard-hit rate according to statcast (but way off the number fg has on standard dashboard) top 10 in EV and LA, and yet all of that has led to far below average barrel%. 

 

Their xba is pathetic, and so is the BABIP.

 

You would think maybe the extreme pop-ups have inflated the LA but even the IFFB% is way below average. 

They’re 23rd in xWOBA which matches the eye test. 

[chibears55]

1 hour ago, Bull said:

Have I mentioned how much i love having the bullpen usage report on the first page of game threads?  'Cuz I do. 

Same, it great to see who available for game and series 

[chibears55]

1 hour ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

They’re 23rd in xWOBA which matches the eye test. 

When you see most of the lineup struggling with 5 guys hitting under 200 and 3 others under 250, and 6 of them with OBP under .280, you dont really need to look at anything else to know theyre struggling offensively. 

Eventually it gonna turn around,  just hope it sooner rather than later, they need to take some pressure off the pitching,  especially the bullpen.

[chibears55]

Strike 3 and pops it up has been the most used words so far from Boog this year when the Cubs bat.

🙄🙄😅

Edited April 6 by chibears55

[Derwood]

That changeup is nasty

[We Got The Whole 9]

Way to redeem yourself, Nico

[chibears55]

Amaya stayed patience took a walk and Nico came through with the big hit..

Cubs 2 best hitters so far

[chibears55]

Bregman with the popup 🙄

[Derwood]

Just now, chibears55 said:

Bregman with the popup 🙄

If you're going to bitch every time hitters don't go 4 for 4 in a game, you may want to find a new sport

[mk49]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

Bregman with the popup 🙄

Again.

[chopsx9]

That was a really good jump by Dansby.

[Eeyore]

Jamo!

 

😞

[Derwood]

whoopsy

[chibears55]

Lmao....

Now it the defense turn to suck 🤦

[Gjfificifjdej]

Dansby you do not hit enough to be doing that brother. 

[Papa Cub]

13 minutes ago, Derwood said:

If you're going to bitch every time hitters don't go 4 for 4 in a game, you may want to find a new sport

That’s a bit of an absolute (4 for 4)…..I believe the comment is in frustration due to the fact that he was also 0/8 with a walk yesterday in the double header. Also batting .158 - unacceptable from a player at his caliber. Let people vent - 

[chibears55]

Calm down dude, it wasn't that tough of a catch lol

[mul21]

Lotta pop ups and warning track power so far.  Frustrating, especially when the defense is letting them down too.

[Derwood]

2 minutes ago, Papa Cub said:

That’s a bit of an absolute (4 for 4)…..I believe the comment is in frustration due to the fact that he was also 0/8 with a walk yesterday in the double header. Also batting .158 - unacceptable from a player at his caliber. Let people vent - 

It ignores the fact that he's had a 60%+ hard hit rate and is hitting into terrible bad luck

[Papa Cub]

1 minute ago, Derwood said:

It ignores the fact that he's had a 60%+ hard hit rate and is hitting into terrible bad luck

You’re right on with the hard contact. He’s ripped some - unfortunately right at people. He will break out in due time. Just people venting because it’s been a brutal start to the season. 
There are always positive takeaways like you said about the hard contact rate.