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

[We Got The Whole 9]

Abysmal lineup right now 

[UMFan83]

Just now, Papa Cub said:

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 👍

Thats a really nice message.  Yes I have enjoyed him getting into it and it's always fun when he shocks me by knowing things I wouldn't expect him to know.  Heck he even keeps me optimistic as he calls me out if I say something remotely negative lol.  But yeah there's been some really fun memories already.  When DJ Moore caught the TD to beat the Packers it was like Xmas morning times 10 for him.  Similar when PCA hit the game tying HR against the Reds.  Just need to manage the highs and the lows so there is a floor and a ceiling.

[Andy]

8 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.

My kid wants them to win but doesn't watch any games with me and will instantly check out if they're losing and I think I like his idea better 

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

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.  

Yeah there's definitely a talent gap.  You just hope your bats are hot going into the postseason and you can make a run similar to the 2023 DBacks.  But it really all depends on what pitching is here and healthy come September/October

[UMFan83]

Just now, Andy said:

My kid wants them to win but doesn't watch any games with me and will instantly check out if they're losing and I think I like his idea better 

So I have twins, and thats exactly how my other 10 year old is.  That's the kind of sports fandom that I think is a lot more healthy.  Knows whats going on, happy when they win, but doesn't let the performance of random people affect his mood.  If they lose he just does something else.  If they win he enjoys it, just not as much as my other 10 year old.

[Geographyhater8888]

This is the worst slump they’ve had in a long time. 

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

This is the worst slump they’ve had in a long time. 

This reminds me of the slump they had in May 2024 that had an impact on tanking their season

[chibears55]

Listening to apples radio broadcast with pat and Ron, theyre just chatting about stuff almost like theyre just ignoring the game...lol

[PeanutPunch33]

7 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Yeah there's definitely a talent gap.  You just hope your bats are hot going into the postseason and you can make a run similar to the 2023 DBacks.  But it really all depends on what pitching is here and healthy come September/October

I'm just hoping they can play well enough to force Jed into making a big move in July.  If they look like just a good but not great team, they might have a trade deadline like last year.  And that would be disappointing.  

[Derwood]

Astros have the worst pen in MLB, so I expect them to mow us down

[PeanutPunch33]

Finally.  Nice HR PCA!

[Andy]

Oh please be the start of a PCA heater

[Geographyhater8888]

2 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

This reminds me of the slump they had in May 2024 that had an impact on tanking their season

They’re much worse than that awful 2024 stretch right now. They lose by 3+ runs every day and night. This is worse  than that horrific stretch in May of 2023. Their run differential is -32 as of right now in their last 12. 

[chibears55]

PCA finally...

Cut the lead in half, hopefully that gets them going 

[mk49]

Good job, Pete!

[Derwood]

That was hammered

[UMFan83]

Just now, PeanutPunch33 said:

I'm just hoping they can play well enough to force Jed into making a big move in July.  If they look like just a good but not great team, they might have a trade deadline like last year.  And that would be disappointing.  

When is the last time Jed had a deadline that didn't feel underwhelming?

I might be missing something but last year it was a decent reliever, rotation depth and a utility guy.  In 2024, I can really only remember the Paredes trade but they weren't positioned to be buyers.  In 2023 it was Candelario and Cuas.  2022 and 2021 were selloffs.  

[UMFan83]

2 minutes ago, Derwood said:

That was hammered

Off a lefty no less

[UMFan83]

Maybe the HR will get things going for the Cubs

*Swanson strikes out on a pitch several inches outside*

Or not

[Derwood]

Swanson's career average dipped below .250

[chibears55]

Just now, UMFan83 said:

When is the last time Jed had a deadline that didn't feel underwhelming?

I might be missing something but last year it was a decent reliever, rotation depth and a utility guy.  In 2024, I can really only remember the Paredes trade but they weren't positioned to be buyers.  In 2023 it was Candelario and Cuas.  2022 and 2021 were selloffs.  

Right, I wouldn't count on Jed really going over the top with trades.

Knowing him, he'll play the Steele and Boyd returning as a special addition to the rotation to avoid going after a truly big arm.

And yeh, i can see like last season him getting minor tweaks for the pen and bench if he does anything, I really doubt hes trading his top 2-3 prospects in a big move.

I wonder more what he'll do if things dont actually improve again by July.

The pitching isnt going to get any better or that much better then what it is now, and they dont have any possible savior they can bring up. The bats will or should be better but will it be enough or consistent enough to carry them.

 

[chibears55]

4 minutes ago, Derwood said:

Swanson's career average dipped below .250

If anyone deserves to be benched for a week its him, maybe just play Hoerner at SS and see what Pedro can do at 2B 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

3 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

If anyone deserves to be benched for a week its him, maybe just play Hoerner at SS and see what Pedro can do at 2B 

I'd be all for it if this was Out of the Park Baseball '26 and you didn't have to manage egos and hurt feelings. It's never gonna happen.

[chibears55]

Nobody on base, let's go Happ

[chibears55]

Pat, Cubs do nothing  lol