Reds (Lowder) vs Cubs (Imanaga): 5/7/26, 1:20pm

[Rcal10]

26 minutes ago, Post Count Padder said:

Is there anything to Ferguson or just another dart throw for the pen? Older reliever who wasn't too bad the last couple years but awful this year in AAA and MLB.

 

Just now, Tryptamine said:

Are they not grabbing Edwards and Chafin because they want something temporary and both of those guys are going to want permanent deals where things get really crowded once the other pen arms return?

My guess is the FO sees something in Ferguson that they think they can work with. I don’t think any of the guys they pick up is just throwing darts. They look for something and who has that quality they are looking for, that is who they sign or trade for. I doubt Edwards and Chafin are not being considered because of wanting guarantees. If they are not someone the Cubs see something in the Cubs won’t sign either of them. On this issue, I trust the Cubs FO. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

2 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Are they not grabbing Edwards and Chafin because they want something temporary and both of those guys are going to want permanent deals where things get really crowded once the other pen arms return?

Yes. Thielbar is probably close to a rehab assignment which makes Chafin pointless. Harvey is further away but not that much further if I'm reading between the lines on Craig in his media avail.

[chibears55]

43 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I don’t have an issue with adding a pitcher. Just want either a real starter or a real pen arm(and move Brown to the rotation). I don’t want another guy like Brown/Rea/Assad, in the sense that each are spot starters/multi inning guys. 
Get a BOR starter and leave Ben alone in the pen. Or get a higher leverage pen arm and stretch Ben out. 

I would like that too, but is something better available now ?

[chibears55]

Brown is starting tomorrow,  doesn't say if bullpen game or how many pitches he can go. My guess is theyll have Assad follow

[bukie]

So far this year there have been 2 winning streaks of 9 or more games.

Both are by the Cubs.

[mk49]

5 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Brown is starting tomorrow,  doesn't say if bullpen game or how many pitches he can go. My guess is theyll have Assad follow

I think so, too.  If we can get 6 innings from them, that would be nice.  We'll see.

Edited yesterday at 12:03 AM by mk49

[Rcal10]

16 minutes ago, mk49 said:

I think so, too.  If we can get 6 innings from them, that would be nice.  We'll see.

I think they can get 6 out of those two. I would guess Brown goes up too maybe 60 pitches. No idea why he can’t. Ramping up in spring, pitchers go from 30-40 to 60 the next start. Brown has already gone over 30, and maybe even 40. He should get 3 innings, and if he is throwing strikes maybe he gets 4. Assad should also be able to throw 60 pitches. 

[mk49]

6 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I think they can get 6 out of those two. I would guess Brown goes up too maybe 60 pitches. No idea why he can’t. Ramping up in spring, pitchers go from 30-40 to 60 the next start. Brown has already gone over 30, and maybe even 40. He should get 3 innings, and if he is throwing strikes maybe he gets 4. Assad should also be able to throw 60 pitches. 

Yes, if they pitch well.  I guess that's my main concern.  If they do, they could pitch 6 innings or even 7 innings between the two.  Ben has 3 days and Assad has only 2 days rest.  So, like I said, we'll see.

Edited yesterday at 12:28 AM by mk49

[bukie]

Cubs have won 15 straight home games.

No other team in MLB has 15 home wins.

[cl smooth]

lol these motherfuckers have won 19 of 22

[BKHoo]

Brown 3 innings and then Assad 6 would be perfect.  

[squally1313]

I know they're on a limited time frame, but my issue here is like...you're going to need 10-12 innings from other relievers in this series. Palencia is likely only good for 1, Webb pitched Tuesday and Wednesday, Thornton pitched the last two games, Hollowell threw 49 pitches today (most of them bad). You took all the length from the pen and you're using it tomorrow, likely knocking them out for the rest of the series. 

If you're going to have to go get a Hollowell replacement, who inevitably sucks, just go get a guy who can suck for 5 innings instead of 2. 

[Brian707]

1 hour ago, cl smooth said:

lol these motherfuckers have won 19 of 22

[mk49]

15 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

I know they're on a limited time frame, but my issue here is like...you're going to need 10-12 innings from other relievers in this series. Palencia is likely only good for 1, Webb pitched Tuesday and Wednesday, Thornton pitched the last two games, Hollowell threw 49 pitches today (most of them bad). You took all the length from the pen and you're using it tomorrow, likely knocking them out for the rest of the series. 

If you're going to have to go get a Hollowell replacement, who inevitably sucks, just go get a guy who can suck for 5 innings instead of 2. 

I thought it's funny to look for somebody who sucks for longer innings.😄  But, I hear you.  Our bullpen situation is really tough now.  Boyd's injury is causing more trouble than I initially thought.

Edited yesterday at 03:20 AM by mk49

[Geographyhater8888]

11 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

 

My guess is the FO sees something in Ferguson that they think they can work with. I don’t think any of the guys they pick up is just throwing darts. They look for something and who has that quality they are looking for, that is who they sign or trade for. I doubt Edwards and Chafin are not being considered because of wanting guarantees. If they are not someone the Cubs see something in the Cubs won’t sign either of them. On this issue, I trust the Cubs FO. 

They definitely see something in him. Someone who can burn garbage time innings much like Flexen and an upgrade over Corbin Martin.

Edited 18 hours ago by Geographyhater8888

[Jason Ross]

11 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Are they not grabbing Edwards and Chafin because they want something temporary and both of those guys are going to want permanent deals where things get really crowded once the other pen arms return?

Edwards and Chafin suck. That's the issue.

Edwards fastball sits at 92.5mph. He isn't showing any wildly different offering, He hasn't pitched more than a few MLB innings each year since 2023. David Sterns is a smart mind. I know he had some whiffs in 6 IP this year, but he looks like he probably sucks over any extended time. He was also awful in Triple-A over 17 IP this year; a 5.29 ERA, an 18.1 K% and a 15.9 BB%. 

Andrew Chafin got released from the Reds who have the third worst fWAR of any bullpen and the worst xFIP. He had a 5.06 xFIP In Triple-A, had walked six in nine innings and only eight strikeouts. He was good in 33 IP last year but his average FB dipped below 90mph. I'm not sure that was sustainable. 

These two are toast. They're former Cubs who were good with the team a handful of years ago, but these guys are done. The team is likely more familiar with guys like Trent Thorton who came through Tread Athletics over the offseason than they are with Andrew Chafin who hasn't been with the organization for 3+ years. And Tyler Ferguson has been a Stuff+ guy in the past and throws 95mph. I doubt he's very good or anything, but he's got something at least. I just think the other two are nostalgia. 

[BigbadB]

I don't feel like it's that bad for the pen, especially if they can get 9 innings out of Brown, Assad and Rolison today. Have Roberts and Velasquez replace Thornton and Hollowell on this road trip and the pen is a bit more refreshed on Saturday. Hope like hell you don't need a long reliever on Saturday or Sunday.

[Rcal10]

39 minutes ago, BigbadB said:

I don't feel like it's that bad for the pen, especially if they can get 9 innings out of Brown, Assad and Rolison today. Have Roberts and Velasquez replace Thornton and Hollowell on this road trip and the pen is a bit more refreshed on Saturday. Hope like hell you don't need a long reliever on Saturday or Sunday.

I’m not sure it will be Roberts and Velesquez, but otherwise I agree with this post. I don’t think the pen is any worse off now then he has been the entire time of all the injuries. 
I actually like the idea of Ben starting over Assad. I think there’s more upside with him. While he is amping up his pitch count the pen will have to fill a few more innings. But after maybe 2 starts he should be able to go 6. Cubs are betting the up side of Brown in the rotation will out weigh the downside of a few more pen innings. 

[Geographyhater8888]

With 7 game winning streak and an already wounded bullpen, it’s less than ideal for 5 of the 7 wins to end within 2 runs with 4 being one one run wins, further taxing the bullpen.

Not complaining but the leverage spots got in more work than ideal especially with the Boyd injury.

Although credit to Counsell for limiting the innings of our best arms.

Edited 18 hours ago by Geographyhater8888

[chibears55]

Michael Kopech is still available,  why hasn't any team looking at him, is he still recovering?

[Jason Ross]

5 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Michael Kopech is still available,  why hasn't any team looking at him, is he still recovering?

The same exact reasons when you asked the same question a week or so ago. Either: 

1. His demands are far too high

2. He's hurt and still rehabbing

Teams don't just ignore players whole sale for no reason. Especially with the injury epidemic in pitchers right now. Considering he's a RP and his demands aren't likely to be insane for that season,  it's almost assuredly number 2. 

[Bertz]

9 hours ago, squally1313 said:

I know they're on a limited time frame, but my issue here is like...you're going to need 10-12 innings from other relievers in this series. Palencia is likely only good for 1, Webb pitched Tuesday and Wednesday, Thornton pitched the last two games, Hollowell threw 49 pitches today (most of them bad). You took all the length from the pen and you're using it tomorrow, likely knocking them out for the rest of the series. 

If you're going to have to go get a Hollowell replacement, who inevitably sucks, just go get a guy who can suck for 5 innings instead of 2. 

I do suspect we're going to see Charlie Barnes or Jordan Wicks pretty soon for this reason. Whether that's right away today or sometime in the next few days when the bullpen is in a little worse shape.  Ferguson has an option so no guarantee he's coming right to Chicago or that he's got a spot on lock.

[Geographyhater8888]

48 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

The same exact reasons when you asked the same question a week or so ago. Either: 

1. His demands are far too high

2. He's hurt and still rehabbing

Teams don't just ignore players whole sale for no reason. Especially with the injury epidemic in pitchers right now. Considering he's a RP and his demands aren't likely to be insane for that season,  it's almost assuredly number 2. 

What about Trevor Bauer though?

[CubUgly]

1 hour ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

With 7 game winning streak and an already wounded bullpen, it’s less than ideal for 5 of the 7 wins to end within 2 runs with 4 being one one run wins, further taxing the bullpen.

Not complaining but the leverage spots got in more work than ideal especially with the Boyd injury.

Although credit to Counsell for limiting the innings of our best arms.

Yes, it's just a matter of time before this all catches up with us.  It could well happen on this upcoming road trip. 

[Geographyhater8888]

5 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

Yes, it's just a matter of time before this all catches up with us.  It could well happen on this upcoming road trip. 

Have the pitch counts been higher than average for our starting pitchers?