raw

Except, if you read the article, that isn't true at all. I read the article. And what you said doesn't prove what I said is wrong. By "everbody is hiting or nobody is at the same time", I meant that the offense seemed to be really feast or famine. In June, the Cubs scored 3 or fewer 11 times in 28 games. But they also scored 7 or more 8 times, and scored 6 another 4 times.

There are some differences between May and June. Zobrist struggling. Montero being terrible. Fowler and a lot of good Soler's PAs going to Almora and Coghlan. The combination of Almora, Baez, and even Fowler and Heyward not walking as much. Not putting the ball in play as much. And basically, a lot of luck. Seems like everybody is hitting or nobody is, all at the same time. RISP not going as well.

I voted "No", when the answer should have been yes. I didn't read the thread title (or the 1st post), I just read the poll question. And "pinched one off" sounds masturbatory so.........

3-5 for the pitchers.

Hey, Albert......we're hitting today, did you get the memo?

That's why I want Bryant at 3rd. But I also want Baez at 3B. But Jeimer's fine for now at 3B.

I want their catcher pitching today!

Even mystifying Reds' stud, Billy Hamilton.

Hendricks is clearly the Cubs best pitcher now and forever.

I now want the 3rd best team to sign Wade or Dirk and do a ridiculous trade for Westbrook. Of course, the problem is that I don't know who the 3rd best team is now and they still wouldn't be good enough. Clippers with Dirk and Westbrook could be pretty good. Spurs also, I guess.

Heyward moved down is good enough for me. Hope it's not just cause of the LHP.

Good call.

Should be a criminal offense to hit someone with a 99mph fastball

Matusz most likely has a date in his contract he can opt out, if he's not in the majors by then. It's simple, really: When LaStella returns, Candelerio goes back to Iowa. Calling him up instead of, say Murton, Kawasaki, or a reliever is probably to let him get a look at some big league pitching. Warren: there's no rush on him. If Hammel continues to be awful, then Warren will probably be called up for some spot starts in his place. If Hammel turns it around, assuming the rest of the starters remain healthy, Warren continues to stretch in Iowa until sometime after the all star break if and when they decide to go with the 6 man rotation. And I have a feeling that the move was more about Hammel insurance than a fictitious 6 man rotation. When Soler and Fowler return, Almora likely returns to Iowa and Szczur is DFA'd/traded/optioned if he has options and Bryant and Contreras are used as 4th-5th OF. Nathan can take Peralta's spot any day. If he doesn't work out, Matusz, who's just now starting his Mesa assignment can have his. As for Coghlan and Richard, they can remain in Iowa, and if that's a problem, let them walk. 1. LaStella could be up as soon as tomorrow. He's been rehabbing at Iowa for 4 games already. IDK why you'd bring a guy up for 1-3 days. 2. Warren is literally scheduled to start for the Cubs on Wednesday. He will be called up after Tuesday's game, 2 days from now. 3. Szczur has been pretty decent. Shouldn't be DFA'd. Can't be optioned. Not likely to work out a trade for him in the short amount of time they'll have to make a roster decision. 4. Coghlan and Richard remaining at Iowa IS a problem, as they can't after a max rehab stint.

Matusz most likely has a date in his contract he can opt out, if he's not in the majors by then. Yeah, that's why I included him originally. That last bit was me grasping at straws. IDK how likely any of those things are to happen.

So, there will be a lot of moves to be made, sometime this month I'm guessing. - LaStella off the DL, next couple days - Warren to the majors, into the rotation, next few days - Fowler off the DL, next 2 weeks - Soler off the DL, next 2-3 weeks - presumably Nathan to the majors, next 2-3 weeks - Coghlan off the DL, next 2-3 weeks - Richard off the DL, next week or 2 - Matusz possibly to the majors, next month or so Potentially 8 guys to make a 25-man spot for. Granted injuries can/will/have happened, but the only guys really in danger of even being sent down on the current team are Almora, Candelario, Patton, and Peralta. Edwards and Contreras seem pretty safe bets to stay. Szczur could be UDFA'd I guess, but doesn't seem like a great idea. Same goes for Grimm. Maybe Warren goes back down to stay stretched out after he gets a couple starts, but hard to imagine he wouldn't be one of the best 7 relievers. Maybe Matusz stays in the minors (on a minor league deal, not on the 40-man) until Sept. Maybe Coghlan and Richard go from DL to waivers. Maybe Soler gets traded before he gets back to the majors. But it seems like this move just creates an extra roster move in the near future.

Man, that's a lot of info right there, Duke. Good stuff. Truly shows that baseball is a game of inches (and fractions of). Jake's essentially just missing his spots a little more often, by a little more distance and it's making all the difference in the world. My non-eduated, non-supported opinion is that it's some release point mechanics caused by fatigue. Jake threw almost 100 innings more and 1000 pitches more last year than he ever had in any season. I think most of us figured a dropoff was coming. And every single one of us would have taken an ERA over 1/2 a run higher than last year, since it's still a very strong 2.33. But the way he's gotten here is the issue. 1.00 after a month, 2.08 the 2nd month, 4.05 ERA since June 1. Seems like a prime candidate for some extra rest. Hopefully, he doesn't get into the AS game and then gets pushed to the back of the perhaps 6-man rotation to start the 2nd half and then the Cubs can build some momentum, take the division lead up to the teens and focus on keeping him fresh for the playoff run.

Not a strike 3 to Baez.

Welcome to late inning, close game relief for the rest of the season Carl Edwards Jr.

Only getting like 1.7 actual strikes per AB.

Carl's Jr Bitch!

Bad umpiring the rest.

Exactly 9.

I hate Bartolo Colon maybe moreso than any other player that has not been an horsefeathers to the Cubs. He's 43, fat, looked like he was done several years ago but keeps pitching well.....and I'm not sure why. Beat him. Be good Arrieta. Be good Lester. Split this series.