***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[isucy86]

Interesting the Cubs don't have a lefty in the bullpen. But Kay wasn't a close game guy, so might as well go with the best AAA guy to eat innings.

Based on the inconsistency of Hendrix, Smyly and Stroman getting quality starts lately- probably makes sense to have Assad, Wesneski and Killian available to be 2-3 inning guys to save the backend arms. Ross probably wants to avoid yesterday becoming commonplace- Leiter enter in 6th or Merryweather going two innings.

 

[chuckd4735]

Have they announced a move yet? Guessing Killian won't start until Stroman 's spot comes up again so we basically have an extra reliever all week.

Cubs have 3 off days in the next 2 weeks, so they can run a 4 man rotation, and won't need a 5th starter until the Tigers series later this month, which I would assume is when Strohman comes back (8/22)

 

[Cyforce]

Interesting the Cubs don't have a lefty in the bullpen. But Kay wasn't a close game guy, so might as well go with the best AAA guy to eat innings.

Based on the inconsistency of Hendrix, Smyly and Stroman getting quality starts lately- probably makes sense to have Assad, Wesneski and Killian available to be 2-3 inning guys to save the backend arms. Ross probably wants to avoid yesterday becoming commonplace- Leiter enter in 6th or Merryweather going two innings.

Down the stretch provided Stroman gets back on track. Assad and Wesneski (maybe Killian) allow you to have short leashes on Smyly, Hendricks and Taillon on days they are struggling. I say provided Stro gets back because if he doesn't we'll be first round losers but if he does anything can happen.

 

[Cyforce]

Cubs have 3 off days in the next 2 weeks, so they can run a 4 man rotation, and won't need a 5th starter until the Tigers series later this month, which I would assume is when Strohman comes back (8/22)

I don't think you want to push the starts down the stretch. Let them get the extra rest and the return will be better.

 

[ZRF]

Perfect day to be at the park. Cloudy, temps are around 70, and just a fine mist falling at the field.
Just need to hold onto this one. Not off to a good start from the pen.

 

[cyfanatic13]

Interesting the Cubs don't have a lefty in the bullpen. But Kay wasn't a close game guy, so might as well go with the best AAA guy to eat innings.

Based on the inconsistency of Hendrix, Smyly and Stroman getting quality starts lately- probably makes sense to have Assad, Wesneski and Killian available to be 2-3 inning guys to save the backend arms. Ross probably wants to avoid yesterday becoming commonplace- Leiter enter in 6th or Merryweather going two innings.

It would still be nice to have a lefty in there but IMO it’s not AS big of a deal anymore since relievers have to face three guys minimum (or finish the inning) anyway

 

[ISUCubswin]

Brewers lose, Reds lose. Marlins are about to lose.

Win today and we are tied for the final wild card spot and 1.5 out of first in our division.

Couldn't have asked for much more during a series we're playing the best team in baseball and the guys above us are playing two of the worst.

 

[cyfanatic13]

Brewers lose, Reds lose, FINISH THIS *****

 

[cyfanatic13]

 

[chuckd4735]

Great week for the Cubs

 

[Cyforce]

Only one team on the schedule over the next 3 weeks with a winning record. (Blue Jays) Time to step on some throats. Hopefully Killian and Wesneski can get some of those 3 inning 11-2 type saves and keep the high leverage guys fresh.

 

[ZRF]

Awesome game! Braves have a bit more star power in their lineup, but both teams have tough outs 1-9. Probably the most entertaining ballgame I've been too since a Royals playoff game where Bautista botched an easy out and opened the flood gates for a Royals comeback.

Great win. Lineup is really grinding some runs on plate patience, good base running, and by being tough outs.

 

[Clonefan32]

I'm just thankful they've settled into a core 9-10 guys. If they don't win the division, you can look back at all the time wasted with Mancini, Hosmer, Rios, Mastroboni, etc. I know some of that was necessary due to injuries, but this FO messed around with some of these projects too long. I'm also glad Ross has given Suzuki's ABs away for the time being. He was a total liability.

As was pointed out above, with those 9-10 guys there just aren't easy outs.

 

[CYdTracked]

I'm just thankful they've settled into a core 9-10 guys. If they don't win the division, you can look back at all the time wasted with Mancini, Hosmer, Rios, Mastroboni, etc. I know some of that was necessary due to injuries, but this FO messed around with some of these projects too long. I'm also glad Ross has given Suzuki's ABs away for the time being. He was a total liability.

As was pointed out above, with those 9-10 guys there just aren't easy outs.

Health of the roster and the pitching staff is what will make or break this momentum. It's a little concerning that the rotation is struggling to put up quality starts lately which is causing Ross to have to use the bullpen more than he'd probably like to. Probably will have to rely on Wesneski and Killian for a bit to eat up some innings if a starter has an early exit. Steele has been solid but starting to wonder if the innings are starting to wear on him as he's now surpassed what he threw last season in 3 less starts. Stroman has not been right lately, Smyly has to be dealing with something too as he's only gone 5+ innings in 1 of his last 6 starts. Hendricks has cooled off a bit, had a 4.29 ERA in July after a 2.51 in June and he got lit up in his last start. Taillon has finally turned it around and has been pretty good since that 7/7 start against the Yankees. Cubs have won all 5 of his last starts where they were 2-12 in his previous starts before that. Just hope they don't wear out their high leverage bullpen guys Leiter and Alzolay too much. Hopefully can get some consistency out of guys like Fulmer, Merryweather, and Palencia that can give those 2 an extra day off here and there that Ross can trust them in a tight spot when those 2 aren't available or could use some rest.

 

[Cyforce]

I'm just thankful they've settled into a core 9-10 guys. If they don't win the division, you can look back at all the time wasted with Mancini, Hosmer, Rios, Mastroboni, etc. I know some of that was necessary due to injuries, but this FO messed around with some of these projects too long. I'm also glad Ross has given Suzuki's ABs away for the time being. He was a total liability.

As was pointed out above, with those 9-10 guys there just aren't easy outs.

I'm thinking Mastrobuoni gets called up for Wisdom at some point. He's still hitting in Iowa and Wisdom isn't getting any run.

I can't remember if the new September call up is 2 or 3 but I'm guessing Mervis gets the call with some relief depth.

 

[CYdTracked]

I'm thinking Mastrobuoni gets called up for Wisdom at some point. He's still hitting in Iowa and Wisdom isn't getting any run.

I can't remember if the new September call up is 2 or 3 but I'm guessing Mervis gets the call with some relief depth.

I sure hope they don't offer Wisdom arbitration in the offseason and just move on from him and use that roster spot and money to fill a need with a better player. I was ready to move on from him after last year even. Guy hits some bombs when he gets hot but his cold streaks are more common and he is just brutal when he's not hitting. Madrigal, Leiter, Heuer, Alzolay, Steele, Merryweather, Burdi, and Tauchman are all up for arbitration after this season. Leiter, Alzolay, and Steele are all no brainers to retain and Madrigal and Tauchman most likely will too although not sure what kind of role Madrigal would have if they acquire a full time 3B in the offseason. Worse case he's trade bait or bench depth I guess.

 

[Cyforce]

I sure hope they don't offer Wisdom arbitration in the offseason and just move on from him and use that roster spot and money to fill a need with a better player. I was ready to move on from him after last year even. Guy hits some bombs when he gets hot but his cold streaks are more common and he is just brutal when he's not hitting. Madrigal, Leiter, Heuer, Alzolay, Steele, Merryweather, Burdi, and Tauchman are all up for arbitration after this season. Leiter, Alzolay, and Steele are all no brainers to retain and Madrigal and Tauchman most likely will too although not sure what kind of role Madrigal would have if they acquire a full time 3B in the offseason. Worse case he's trade bait or bench depth I guess.

I think they try to resign Candelario and Bellinger then the other offensive additions come from within. Money on new players likely goes towards pitching.

I can see Madrigal 3B platoon with Mervis 1B and Candelario bouncing between the two spots.

 

[ISUCubswin]

I'm just thankful they've settled into a core 9-10 guys. If they don't win the division, you can look back at all the time wasted with Mancini, Hosmer, Rios, Mastroboni, etc. I know some of that was necessary due to injuries, but this FO messed around with some of these projects too long. I'm also glad Ross has given Suzuki's ABs away for the time being. He was a total liability.

As was pointed out above, with those 9-10 guys there just aren't easy outs.

'Tis my biggest knock on the FO/Rossy this season. It took us until late June to figure out who/what this team was. Took us way too ******* long to figure out our bullpen and the Hosmer/Mancini ******** led to a -1.8 WAR while you had many other positive WAR players with the capability to cover up that trash.

 

[ScottyP]

'Tis my biggest knock on the FO/Rossy this season. It took us until late June to figure out who/what this team was. Took us way too ******* long to figure out our bullpen and the Hosmer/Mancini ******** led to a -1.8 WAR while you had many other positive WAR players with the capability to cover up that trash.

I think they hoped that Hosmer and Mancini would go on a hot streak before the deadline and flip them for prospects.

Mancini was poor defensively and offensively. He had some defensive lapses that cost the Cubs at least a couple of games.

 

[CycloneErik]

'Tis my biggest knock on the FO/Rossy this season. It took us until late June to figure out who/what this team was. Took us way too ******* long to figure out our bullpen and the Hosmer/Mancini ******** led to a -1.8 WAR while you had many other positive WAR players with the capability to cover up that trash.

Basically gave away May and a good chunk of June or so to figure out things that were obvious.