PackLandVA

How ‘bout some mad props for former Cubs coach Brandon Hyde. Things started off really shaky in Baltimore as the Orioles lost 108 games in his first season as manager. After the abbreviated Covid season, his team lost 110 games in 2021. But he fianally righted the ship with 83 wins in ‘02 and the over 100 wins last year. And they’re on pace again for 100+ this year. Kudos to you, Mr. Hyde!!!

Every single game for the past two months seems to be as tough, if not tougher, than on paper.

Cubs since the start of this thread playing .333 ball, record of a robust 14-28. Cards 25-15 in same time period, about to go 26-15. The Cardinals aren’t leading the division, but their earlier demise has been greatly exaggerated,.

I think in my very long life, I’ve seen catcher interference like twice at the big league level. What is this, Amaya’s 4th horsefeathers time this season.

He’s got nothin’ on Merton Hanks.

I am not well-versed enough in most of these "new" stats, but I did look at these numbers in BS. And as a team, the Cubs are second worst/unlucky in xBA and xSLG, and third worst in xwOBA. These numbers have to get better, right?

No, Hendricks wouldn't be a great option as a starter, period. But he would only start one out of every five games. At least the Cubs would MAYBE have a decent option with Assad tried as a closer in the other four starts, assuming this limp-dick offense could actually score runs. And they wouldn't need to stick Hendricks in the rotation. Wesneski seems better suited as a starter than a reliever. But there's also a bunch of dudes floating around professional baseball who couldn't be worse starting than what Hendricks has shown this season. And I'd rather keep Brown in the rotation (once he's healthy, whenever that will be)

Maybe. But I would think that what he says and what he actually does may be two different things. I mean, is he really gonna throw Neris under a bus? Figuratively-speaking. I'd be all for it literally-speaking.

Cliff on the postgame just made an interesting comment. Assad has been great as a starter. But do you give him the ball in the 9th with a lead? He just gets people out. And you have 3 other really good starters with Brown and Wicks eventually coming back from injury. Might be easier to get another starter (Smyly) than a closer.

Cubs are 16 for 32 in Save situations.

Well, they finally did. In just 32 games. First place after 38 games with a 22-16 record facing a difficult schedule. 32 games later, and an 11-22 record over that span, and Cubs find themselves as the lone cellar dweller in the Central. Job well done!

Jose Abreu is the next "answer", right? Or was it "Garrett Cooper 2.0" ? Didn't think so. *

CHC G AVG R RBI HR BB K SB OBP SLG M. Tauchman 59 .261 37 19 5 31 46 5 .365 .397 S. Suzuki 40 .272 23 25 7 12 47 3 .333 .468 C. Bellinger 52 .260 23 29 8 17 38 3 .319 .438 C. Morel 65 .203 31 39 12 34 59 6 .315 .388 I. Happ 61 .222 31 30 6 32 69 5 .329 .376 D. Swanson 55 .226 28 18 6 19 60 4 .300 .374 M. Busch 61 .242 29 23 8 27 73 1 .341 .440 P. Crow-Armstrong 32 .205 5 10 1 4 20 7 .259 .295 M. Amaya 46 .198 11 14 2 9 31 0 .262 .290

Must be from those dingers given up the last couple of outings. Surprised Wesneski doesn't have a neck strain too.

Link to MLB.TV "Free Game of the Day"

For those of you out of market and don't subscribe to MLB.TV, the Cubs/Reds is the "Free Game of the Day". Link to the Game

51 seconds. Awful, just awful. I implore nobody else to hit "play".

For what it's worth, the Sox just played the Brewers in a three-game set. And the Sox had the lead in all three games only to get swept.

Maybe management is hoping, ya' know.....

No. But ask me tomorrow night.

Not certain if there's a "home park rule" to override, but if the ball gets stuck in the ivy, it's a dead ball, If the outfielder makes a play on a ball stuck in the ivy, the ball is in play. Dansby played the ball lodges in the padding, so I don't know how that's ruled a dead ball AND the runners advance.

Amaya is 5 for his last 17. No slug in those 5 hits, but it's a move in the right direction, I guess.