We Got The Whole 9

11 tries... #thatsnotcub

And the hard contact is way up from where it was at this point last season. His approach has been good so a deep slump will either be the result of BABIP or mechanical breakdown. A 115 wRC+ is totally feasible given his track record.

I'm still amazed the Padres have won 8 games You shouldn't be. They have Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard atop their rotation. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Straily had a hell of a night 14 Ks on just 97 pitches, 73 strikes

Hatch has struck out 4/9 batters but has also allowed 4 hits and a pair of runs. Like a Kerry Wood game!

Jesus Cozart and Suarez' lines are insane

It doesn't count on here but I just told my dad JHey is gonna mash another

Entering today Schwarber leads the NL in pitches seen, 3rd in MLB behind Bautista and Haniger. Also entering today, Schwarber trailed Almora in pitches per plate appearance, 4.42 to 4.41. Almora's Swing% is lower than Rizzo's and Bryant's. Depending on if you use the Baseball Info Solutions or PITCHf/x data, he's either just above them or just below them on swinging at pitches out of the zone, too. I always thought PFX was more accurate, no?

Made that dude throw 30 pitches too lmao

Alright we kept the lead

Javy Calm the horsefeathers down

That was Finnegan

Willy wasted no time! horsefeathers yeah kid

His GB rate is actually only 46%, FWIW Just scouting the stats he seems to be getting ridiculous luck. So many balls put in play. Yeah Caratini has been very solid. If he goes hitless in a game he usually takes a walk and he's been consistent.

Not really saying it's a need. I was just musing.

That's tough but hopefully we can get Reed back on the ropes and finish him off this time.

Damn, great start, and now Willy is showing off his own slyde Well done Willy

Don't have to squint too hard to see it

I'm trying not to commiserate but yes those pop ups in high leverage PA are annoying AF

Happ homered Butler gave up a ton of contact, 8 hits and just 1 K, but he allowed just 1 run to score in 6 innings. Things could have gone a lot differently obviously but it was probably a lot of weak contact just from the looks of the line.

Worst possible execution after that lovely beginning to the inning.

Wow that was a blast from JHey

Don't know if you guys saw this. From Cubs Den That shoulder must be really tender still

Yeah I just don't see them heaping a workload on CJ like that

So on the MLBN they were discussing the Astros use of Chris Devenski as a power reliever who can go multiple innings in the middle of a game and bridge the gap to the back of the pen. Devenski has not carried a K% above 25 since the low minors but this year he is at an astronomical 52%, pitching 12 innings so far. Obviously that will drop substantially but if he has found a niche and his stuff plays and let's say, it settles around 35 or so, that's still fantastic. So it got me wondering if the Cubs have a player capable of being that guy. Monty is a flexible guy who can get 4-5 outs but he's not really a power pitcher. I don't think that player is on the MLB roster The guys are all groomed to be 1 inning pitchers. But down in Iowa, Pierce is rocking a 45% and he's clearly capable of pitching multiple innings. It's 5 innings, but again, there's room to regress and still remain quite good. Does anyone see Johnson playing a significant role in Chicago down the stretch ala CJ last year? I'm a little fuzzy about it but when he was drafted, I feel like there was a lot of talk that he could move to the Majors quickly if he went the reliever route and stuck to the FB/CU combo. As is common, struggling to develop the 3rd pitch has prevented him from reaching his SP potential but his stuff is playing very well and missing bats in the pen. He's still walking a lot of guys but so did CJ before his promotion. Thoughts?