PackLandVA

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.

Feel like PCA is gonna have himself a night at the plate. He's facing an AAAA pitcher, and I think that bodes well for him.

Hitters gotta hit. Defensive has to make the plays they're expected to make. To many TOOTBLANs. Not sure Counsell's responsible for any of those.

In Vain

After games played on May 12, the day this wonderful topic was created, the Cubs were 24-17. They are 4-12 since. Meanwhile, the Cards were 16-24 on May 12. Since then, they've gone 11-3. Good times.

Been saying this same thing about Morel specifically for about a month now, and what does he have to show for it. A bunch of loud outs in May.

93 mph fastball right in the center of the plate; his exit velo was 100+. Can't really blame him.