UMFan83

Really feels like with a couple of not even major additional moves in the offseason this team could have been a lot better. Would have loved to have seen if Jed could have made a couple of minor moves at the beginning of July to fill a couple gaps and help the Cubs play into the position of buyers. Instead we continually see the Cubs holes costing them games.

Cool Arenado up with the bases loaded in a tie game against a pitcher who isnt throwing strikes. Thank the umps for bailing him out on the first pitch by calling a strike lmao and a wild pitch gives the Cardinals the lead. Nice work

Just for fun, a look at how the 2016 Cubs are doing in 2023... Retired/out of baseball: Miguel Montero, Ben Zobrist, Dexter Fowler, David Ross, Matt Szczur, Chris Coghlan, John Lester, Jake Arrieta, Jason Hammel, John Lackey, Travis Wood, Hector Rondon, Albert Almora, Trevor Cahill, Justin Grimm, Pedro Strop, Adam Warren, Joe Smith, Clayton Richard, Felix Pena, Neil Ramirez (only looking at Cubs position players that played 20 games in 2016 or are Kyle Schwarber or as a pitcher had at least 8 appearances) Anthony Rizzo, Yankees: .244/.332/.381/.713 and 0.9 bWAR (too lazy to do this on FG) Addison Russell, Kiwoom of KBO: .286/.339/.400/.739 Kris Bryant, Rockies: .252/.337/.380/.717 and -0.5 bWAR Jorge Soler, Marlins: .244/.339/.506/.845 and 1.3 bWAR, 2023 All-Star Jason Heyward, Dodgers: .251/.350/.465/.815 and 0.9 bWAR (Dodgers made some adjustments but more importantly have given him almost no PAs against lefties) Javier Baez, Tigers: .227/.264/.341/.604 and 0.7 bWAR (defense still plays) Willson Contreras, Cardinals: .242/.339/.424/.763 and 1.5 bWAR Tommy LaStella, Mariners: .190/.292/.238/.530 and -0.1 bWAR Kyle Schwarber, Phillies: .187/.313/.440/.752 and -1.0 bWAR Kyle Hendricks, Cubs: 3-4, 3.38 ERA and 1.0 bWAR in 11 starts Mike Montgomery, Oklahoma City (AAA): 1-1, 3.34 ERA in 8 starts Carl Edwards Jr, Nationals: 1-3, 3.69 ERA and 0.6 bWAR in 32 appearances Aroldis Chapman, Royals/Rangers: 5-2, 2.04 ERA and 1.3 bWAR in 37 appearances Spencer Patton, Athletics: 0-0, 6.75 ERA and -0.1 bWAR in 4 appearances Rob Zastryzny, Pirates: 1-0, 5.29 ERA and -0.3 bWAR in 18 appearances Total of 6.2 bWAR with 1 win coming from a current Cub. Not really making a point with this, just wanted to go back and see where everyone is at. Really no one from the 2016 team is a star in 2023 except Soler who is literally an All-Star this year. Would not have expected that to be the case just 7 years removed from a 103 World Series winner with a young core in their early 20's.

Drew Smyly last 9 appearances 4.2 IP, 5 R 5.2 IP, 3 R 6 IP, 3 R 6 IP, 5 R 5 IP, 0 R 3.2 IP, 7 R 3.2 IP, 3 R 4 IP, 4 R 6 IP, 5 R 3 IP, 4 R (so far) There are a couple adequate appearances in there but for the most part he's not going long into games and he's giving up a healthy amount of runs almost every time out.

Damn nice catch by Nootbar against the ivy to save a run

Bellinger is typically pretty sharp on the bases, really weird that he thought he was just going to coast home without a play. What a break for the Cardinals

Why didn’t Belli slide? Easy go ahead run if he slides instead an inning is over

What a horsefeathers terrible AB for Seiya with runners at the corners and 1 out. edit: Dansby bails him out

What a disaster, first 4 batters reach against Smyly.

So glad we signed him and Mancini to 2 year contracts.

Looks like Smyly still sucks

Maybe he can get former Cub Fred McGriff to do a chat on the site

Fingers crossed

I was thinking maybe they were opening with a right hander so that the lineup would have more lefties in it or something for Smyly but looking at splits, he's getting hit much harder by lefties this year. Plus everyone knows Fulmer isnt going more than 1 inning considering he pitched today, so even if that was a valid strategy, you'd just balance your lineup to factor in 1 inning pitched by a RHP.

Maybe giving Smyly a breather too since he’s been absolutely terrible lately

I don't want to see anyone hurt, especially not Willson, but I'm 100% sure Willy was hitting a 2 run HR if he wasn't plunked.

Cubs win! Didn't have to make it so scary but good stuff.

Now the ump decides to tigheten the strike zone

This turned scary in a hurry.

Here comes a Willy go ahead HR... Or a HBP.

Oh my God Morel. Are you kidding me?

Seiya! Really nice grab. I thought that was a definite double.

In all the enjoyment of that moment, I didn't even realize the DP grounder was also a ball. So Leiter comes in, gets ahead of the 1st batter 1-2, then throws 9 straight balls, of which 8 were taken, and gets 2 outs.

Oh yeah, that was the worst screw job by an umpire that I've seen since that Dodgers game in April where all 3 Dodgers outs in the 9th were on clear balls that were called strikes.

Your problem TT (and I'm being 99% facetious here) is you just won't let us meatball for a bit over here. Edit: I love you TT