Ruxskull

Third ten pitch at bat in two days I think they said. Hit hard but ALSO out.

Yes, no argument except for the seemingly futile hope that a new day, a new series, a new city can mean winning 2 out of 3 and then take it from there.

You make sense finally wish there was more of you

Good time for a rally!

Time for some Cub thrilling heroics.

There will be a great deal of dancing.

Thanks Brandon Glick. Love these simple Bullpen Charts.

Then the Cubs call up Murray, it seemed to back up 3B and 1B (Busch?!). That’s one more player to squeeze onto the roster, which is fine. Explanation is not required, speculation I’ve seen doesn’t explain it. Keeping options open seems to be the best answer.

At this point PCA’s immaturity and bad mental baseball decisions is falling on the coaches and management (no excuses for him though he is responsible first). I have heard several times of players (even Schwarber at last year’s All Star Game) taking the time to talk to him about how to play. To paraphrase, “you are too good a player to let your head run you into bad baseball”. The temper tantrums are a little less severe, but not gone. They are just under a mediocre level of control. He needs to learn how to play baseball and how to manage his emotions yet still play hard and with that zeal I do love to see. I don’t think a return to the minors does it. It should have happened over the winter. It did not. So I don’t see anything changing.

Could another reason be that Catchers understand PCA is a free swinger and risking a challenge on him is not worth it since he is likely to swing at the next bad pitch anyway? I figure catchers and managers discuss these sort of things, who do make challenges against and who not to. And of course, It’s still early. Maybe hold off on more definitive conclusions until the All Star Break., P.S. and given how well and near seamless the challenges work, I think using ABS all the time should be considered. Take the new fangled tactics of challenges out of it and let MLB have a more accurate calling of balls and strikes on all pitches.

I’m with Arlen. The ABS works. It is fast and simple. And accurate. This new tactical aspect of the game in saving your challenges or losing them and then having no recourse later is not good. There is a strong case that losing the challenges widens the strike zone. that’s a problem. Easy fix. Use ABS all the time. MLB can get it right for every plate appearance instead of the two challenge approach. Edit addition: I get using Ballesteros from time to time, but why with Boyd? Isn’t that on the manager?

Clark_Addison, In my thoughts, PCA should have just got in front of it and kept it a single. A dozen great catches does not excuse missing one that turns into extra bases. His instincts should be better at this point, just my opinion. I love to watch him, glad he is on the Cubs, but he has got to HAVE that maturity at this point. He has done much better on the tantrums after making an out. But gold glove means not missing those amazing catches.

Using Ballesteros as a PH, DH and very occasional starter plus a late inning non-defensive sub (blowout games) would be useful. Having a third catcher behind Kelly and Amaro that can hit sounds like a sound plan to start the season. Good to have a key position set for the year in the October before.

Given the lack of hitting in the second half I think stacking the line up with players that are most likely to get to first base is more important than a base stealer that can get from 1st to 2nd.