Bertz

I assume the bullpen is sufficiently shredded that even though it's a tie game Ross is trying to have Steele and Espinoza pitch the entire game?

I just don't really see a ton of upside with Calhoun, his problem has always been more approach than mechanical and he hasn't had the performance or scouting highs that Frazier has had to dream on. Also, you've got Suzuki, Villar, Bote, and Hermosillo who are gonna be coming for a roster spot within a couple weeks, so you don't need an external option to satisfy a desire to punt Heyward and Rivas SSS, but his peripherals are really good this year. More BBs than Ks and an xwOBA of .350. Like Frazier he probably ends up at replacement level through a combo of slightly above average offense and abysmal defense, but I'd rather roll the dice with that than many of the guys we have in house, particularly given the dearth of LHH bats we have in the majors and high minors. I easily take him over those latter three names you listed. Plus it looks like he has an MiLB option, so if you'd like you could stash him at Iowa until Willson's gone and those DH at bats open up.

Juggling him and Frazier as guys you really don't want in the field would be tough, but I'd much rather have Calhoun than Heyward or Rivas on the current roster.

Wicks getting roughed up a bit, though from GameDay it seems like he's just being BABIP'd

Chris Morel is up to a 145 wRC+ and has better than average walk and K rates. Just extremely impressive in all facets right now.

Brendon Little was clearly rusty his first few times out this year. But his last five outings: 9.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 BB, 11 Ks Between him and Hudson there's probably not a ton of incentive to give Norris much additional leash.

Girl I used to work with was a highschool classmate of his and confirmed that he is in fact as much of a horsefeathers as he looks like

Morel just continues to hit. Projections are starting to notice too. ZiPS has warmed a smidge but generally doesn't like him (particularly his defense?), while Steamer projects him for 2.8 WAR/600 PAs.

Stuff-wise, Wick has gotta be one of the most inconsistent guys I've ever seen. 98 just now while there's plenty of outings where he barely tops 94

Okay boys, some of us have the under 8.5 so let's save the rest of the runs for tonight unless the Cards decide to mount a comeback

If he could simply be Alec Mills but actually have minor league options that would be pretty sweet

Matt Swarmer is somehow pitching well again

I was thinking the same thing. With Mills coming back next week, he's presumably the long man with this rotation: Stroman Kilian Steele Hendricks Thompson And when Miley comes back in a few weeks one of Thompson/Steele shifts to the pen.

Not watching, but I assume Willson getting HBP in the ankle and coming out is more of a "holy horsefeathers this hurts" deal rather than a "something is broken" deal right?

Houston's catchers are currently putting up a 124/214/211 slash line. Padres are 238/291/322. Doubt the Sox would be an option with Grandal and also just being the Sox, but currently getting 176/261/229 from that spot. Tampa is at 188/211/339. Mets are 222/257/304 Even someone like the Yankees, 10th in fWAR from that position, are slashing 217/267/316 This is all compared to Willy's 277/395/514 so far. Yes, his defense is suspect, to put it lightly, but he's basically doubling the production of all those teams with playoff aspirations right now. Factor in his clubhouse attributes, postseason experience, etc....someone is going to want him to be their starter down the stretch. With Higgins not falling on his face and Gomes still around somewhere (I think?) definitely think they should keep limiting his innings behind the plate (15th in baseball so far in innings caught) to avoid a major slump. Yeah catching is bleak this year. I'd add the Angels and a reunion with Joe Maddon to the list too. Teams don't love trading for catchers mid-season, but I think given the above they'll get over it. If Willson continues what he's been doing, I'd think he'll bring back a little more than what the core guys brought back last year. Maybe even a lot more, since most of the good players in their walk years are already on contenders. I might be missing a name or two, but for obvious rental bats it looks like you've got Contreras, Mitch Haniger, Josh Bell, and a bunch of horsefeathers.

Morel man, he just keeps going Feel pretty ready to fire Schwindel and Rivas into the sun. Call up Young and Maldonado, they're probably not any better but let's at least start scratching a different set of lottery tickets.

Nwogu is HOT right now

DJ only went 5 innings, not 6. But either way, that’s very exciting. The answer to your question - Brailyn had a 14 K, 0 BB, 1 H outing over 6 innings back in 2019 Oh dang, I jumped the gun I guess. A little more dominant a little less efficient than I thought Wow I knew Brailyn's run at the end of 2019 was great but didn't remember him doing *that*

Holy hell DJ 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 12Ks 8 Ks in a row at one point. I guess if we're nitpicking the smattering of balls in play were all airborn? This has gotta be the best outing by a legit Cubs prospect since...gosh probably some Andrew Cashner outing?

Oh, that’s right. Well, I guess it could be Mills who gets the start for Iowa today. They probably could just call up Espinoza to start as the 27th man again so they don’t have to make a 40 man decision. Yeah I'd guess Mills or Espinoza. I think they'll probably wanna be careful with the 40 man until next week with those two off days.

Really good pitching day, also presumably Kilian day for Iowa?

With his defensive limitations and how right handed practically the entire org is, he doesn't really fit the roster long term unless he completely mashes. But like, he deserves an opportunity to see if he can mash when playing every day. The potential reward on him is just exponentially higher than any of the old guys except Wisdom (and we've probably seen enough from Wisdom at this point to be comfortable he's this guy).

Do we know what Luis Devers throws? Because the numbers are top notch. I think I remember AZ Phil calling him out in March as a guy whose stuff ticked up?