Isn't his velocity even up from where he was pre-injury? Maybe a wee bit. He was hitting 97 tonight evidently. I don't think he had ever been clocked at 100 pre TJS, but I guess it's possible he could have in shorter stints. This was posted in the thread during his last start on July 4th. Have heard the fastball up to 100 mph this summer. Probably highest-ceiling arm in #Cubs system https://t.co/qvnOnN73it — John Manuel (@johnmanuelba) July 5, 2015
Villanueva has some pop and doesn't strike out nearly as much. I think it's more likely that Villanueva would come up as a PH late in a contacted "contact" a better outcome than it would be for Olt to go dong. More likely, Olt would K in a PH spot. A look see of Villanueva may also give him some trade value. I think Olt is what he is.
I don't know but when just almost every hitter is underperforming expectations or career norms you have to wonder if something is wrong with their instruction. Len was just singing the praises of Mallee earlier in the game.
The Cubs will need to make a roster move for the doubleheader on Tuesday, right? They can add another pitcher. Wouldn't it most likely be Roach? They don't have to wait 10 days to recall him if it's for a doubleheader, do they?