*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***

Yeah he has not impressed me defensively this season.
He probably has a good arm but he doesn’t track down fly balls like a top notch outfielder. He had the same problem in the game against Marlins where Palencia blew 1 run lead after getting two out In the bottom of the 9th.
 
Alright if the Brewers pitcher wants to keep walking people then take advantage of it.
 
Terrible managing by Counsell. Why pinch hit for Swanson? Swanson is capable of hitting home run. He should have pinch hit for Castro. I am still mad that he brought in Brasier in a high leverage situation.
He was clearly trying to tie the game in one swing so why not pitch hit for Nico also. Of Hoerner Castro Swanson he decided to pitch hit for the only one who can hit the ball out.
 
Welp, 7 back instead of 5 feels like a BIG difference, especially with only 34 games left.

Guess at this point set your sights on trying to get that top Wild Card spot.
 
He was clearly trying to tie the game in one swing so why not pitch hit for Nico also. Of Hoerner Castro Swanson he decided to pitch hit for the only one who can hit the ball out.
Why bring back Tucker early? He has done nothing offensively today and made a terrible defensive play that perhaps cost the game.
 
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Nico not bunting here is terrible managing
Bunting in that situation makes no sense. Down 3 with only 6 outs left. You're not giving up an out just to get two guys over down 3 runs. The tying run was at the plate.

You have to get the tying run on base in the late innings before you even think about bunting.
 
The Tucker situation just seems so weirdly handled to me. I don't really understand the point of bringing him back into the fold today when Caissie has been huge the last couple games. Way more pressure in front of the home crowd vs giving him one more day and bringing him back vs the Angels this weekend.

And nothing against Willi Castro but sitting Shaw when he's literally been the heart and soul of the team over the past 3 games also is just super head scratching.

Regardless, the team drew 8 walks today, 5 hits, and a HBP. That equating to 1 run is just really, really bad baseball.

The next 21 games, and 27 of the last 34 are against teams below .500. Great chance to stack some wins up and at least get that top wildcard spot. Division probably out of reach unless Brewers go on a bit of a losing streak
 
Bunting in that situation makes no sense. Down 3 with only 6 outs left. You're not giving up an out just to get two guys over down 3 runs. The tying run was at the plate.

You have to get the tying run on base in the late innings before you even think about bunting.
Bunting puts 2 guys in scoring position with 1 out and takes double play ball facing a 100 mph sinker ball pitcher off the table. A hit from the subsequent hitter scores two and tying run on base.
 
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Reactions: Ankency
Now is when the Cubs will offer him that massive contract.
I really hope we don’t lock Tucker into a long-term deal. I think he’s overrated, especially defensively. That ball in the 7th inning should have been caught by an average outfielder. I still question how he ever won a Gold Glove—maybe he’s just a media favorite like Derek Jeter. People mocked me for comparing Tucker to Tyler Soderstrom, but this year Soderstrom is actually having a better season (higher BA, more home runs and RBI). In fact, he’s on pace for numbers similar to Tucker’s 2023 campaign. There are lots of players like Tucker for a cheaper price.
 
I really hope we don’t lock Tucker into a long-term deal. I think he’s overrated, especially defensively. That ball in the 7th inning should have been caught by an average outfielder. I still question how he ever won a Gold Glove—maybe he’s just a media favorite like Derek Jeter. People mocked me for comparing Tucker to Tyler Soderstrom, but this year Soderstrom is actually having a better season (higher BA, more home runs and RBI). In fact, he’s on pace for numbers similar to Tucker’s 2023 campaign. There are lots of players like Tucker for a cheaper price.
Right field at Wrigley can be tough especially compared to Houston but he looks average out there