Astros (Arrighetti) vs Cubs (Taillon): 5/22/26, 1:20pm

[UMFan83]

I'd say 3 runs is not insurmountable but they've only surmounted 3 runs in a game twice in their last 12 games.

[Derwood]

Wasting what is (for him) a pretty decent Taillon start

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, Derwood said:

Wasting what is (for him) a pretty decent Taillon start

Nah not even a decent start for him.  I would say 7 of his 9 previous starts were better than this one.

[Derwood]

Just now, UMFan83 said:

Nah not even a decent start for him.  I would say 7 of his 9 previous starts were better than this one.

Getting (nearly) 5 IP and 3 R is about all I can hope for from him

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Taillon is 2003 Shawn Estes at this point

[Geographyhater8888]

We have a starting pitcher who was an out shy of recording 15 outs so there’s some positive takeaways from this game at least.

[JHBulls]

This roster either plays out of their skin for 3 weeks or they all slump at the same time. Just once I wouid like it if 2 or 3 hitters keep hitting during a team slump. 

[PeanutPunch33]

Nico just hasn't been the same since he got plunked in the head in that Padres series.  Hoping there's nothing more to it than just a bad stretch 

[chibears55]

1 minute ago, Derwood said:

Getting (nearly) 5 IP and 3 R is about all I can hope for from him

That about what youre hoping for with all of them but Imanaga. 

 You also gotta hope that the offense can find a way to get 5 in most of these starts.

[UMFan83]

I wish I didnt get my kids into sports.  One of my 10 year olds has been in a gloom for several days and I suspect the Cubs have at least a little to do with it.  He is constantly optimistic, even in the 9th inning down 5 he'll predict they win, but the last few games he's given up hope.  I know when I pick him up from school in 30 mins hes going to immediately ask the score its its going to ruin his mood when I tell him.

I really didn't try to get him hooked on sports, he just got swept up in the excitement of the playoffs last year and then the Bears season and when the Cubs got hot to start this year he became very attached.

[Papa Cub]

Any fantasy baseball ⚾️ guys out there - seems like a solid strategy would be grab any and every pitcher that faces the Cubs and you should have league winners - Good lord 😂 

They're in a dark place as a team. 

[squally1313]

There’s some monkey paw horsefeathers about the 2025 cubs refusing to get swept and winning 5.5 of every 10 games and people complaining about the competent mediocrity and then them doing this so far this year. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

RISP for Happ and Suzuki, hey I've seen this one

[chibears55]

2 minutes ago, JHBulls said:

This roster either plays out of their skin for 3 weeks or they all slump at the same time. Just once I wouid like it if 2 or 3 hitters keep hitting during a team slump. 

That what I've been saying...

This is a group of guys that all pretty much hit all together or go ice cold all together, they really dont have an in between 

 

[UMFan83]

I still think the Cubs will be fine to be honest.  They focused on leadership in the clubhouse and that will keep the team together.  Collectively the hitters all have long track records to suggest they won't keep hitting .150 the rest of the year.  This is a particularly bad slump but like all slumps, one they'll find their way out of.

The concern for me remains the pitching due to the injuries.

[SparkMark1]

3 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

I wish I didnt get my kids into sports.  One of my 10 year olds has been in a gloom for several days and I suspect the Cubs have at least a little to do with it.  He is constantly optimistic, even in the 9th inning down 5 he'll predict they win, but the last few games he's given up hope.  I know when I pick him up from school in 30 mins hes going to immediately ask the score its its going to ruin his mood when I tell him.

I really didn't try to get him hooked on sports, he just got swept up in the excitement of the playoffs last year and then the Bears season and when the Cubs got hot to start this year he became very attached.

I have a 10 year old too who has his emotional ups and downs with the Cubs.    Fortunately he's still in school today to miss this one.  It's gonna be a long summer 

[Post Count Padder]

Just now, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

RISP for Happ and Suzuki, hey I've seen this one

[UMFan83]

Just now, SparkMark1 said:

I have a 10 year old too who has his emotional ups and downs with the Cubs.    Fortunately he's still in school today to miss this one.  It's gonna be a long summer 

I actually thought about this, it's not the worst thing in the world for him to experience this.  I tried explaining that a baseball season is full of peaks and valleys but he watched the team win almost every game for a month with several improbable comebacks, he started to think it was just going to keep happening.  You don't quite understand how a baseball season works until you experience it.

[UMFan83]

Scoreless streak at 15 innings

[Papa Cub]

2 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

I wish I didnt get my kids into sports.  One of my 10 year olds has been in a gloom for several days and I suspect the Cubs have at least a little to do with it.  He is constantly optimistic, even in the 9th inning down 5 he'll predict they win, but the last few games he's given up hope.  I know when I pick him up from school in 30 mins hes going to immediately ask the score its its going to ruin his mood when I tell him.

I really didn't try to get him hooked on sports, he just got swept up in the excitement of the playoffs last year and then the Bears season and when the Cubs got hot to start this year he became very attached.

I think it’s awesome he’s excited and optimistic! Sports are great - especially if parents like you, use them as teaching opportunities. 👍

I remember watching many Cubs games with my dad - it was a great experience and I always look back on it and want to do the same with my grandson. 
 

Keep doing what you’re doing - your son will appreciate you sharing his excitement and memories.  Cubs are in a tough go for now, but hopefully they snap out of it soon enough. Hope you enjoy this age and time with your son 👍

[Tryptamine]

Will they leave May at 3rd or better in the division. I have my doubts.

[Andy]

I wonder how high you'd have to tell me Ian Happ's strikeout rate is with RISP before I'd start assuming you're full of it. I think you'd have to get to at least 40%

[chibears55]

Happ.. again

Sorry guys, jump on me all you want but he's really bad this season, hes on pace to be in top 5 for most Ks at the 81 game mark.

75 Ks already

[Derwood]

I'm officially done standing up for Happ

[PeanutPunch33]

3 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

I still think the Cubs will be fine to be honest.  They focused on leadership in the clubhouse and that will keep the team together.  Collectively the hitters all have long track records to suggest they won't keep hitting .150 the rest of the year.  This is a particularly bad slump but like all slumps, one they'll find their way out of.

The concern for me remains the pitching due to the injuries.

Depends on what your definition of "fine" is.  I see a team that will make the playoffs (via wildcard) like last season.  But I don't see a team that can compete with the Braves or Dodgers once they get there.  There's a noticeable talent gap.