I spent a lot of time this morning explaining everything I thought about the PCA extension rumors to the best my ability only to find out that he was scratched from the lineup today with a right hamstring strain.
Literally FML.
There’s a couple other things worth talking about, but none more important than reminding you that the 5pm News & Notes blog is a standing blog Monday through Thursday. Even on days like today when I’ve maxed out my Cubs talking points and there’s nothing fresh from the news cycle. Even on days when there’s nothing, we’re going to tough it out and write the blog anyways and that includes today. So let’s stop fucking around and get right to it.
Pete Crow Armstrong Injured
Seriously though fuck my life. The only thing that can ruin PCA is a lower body injury, and hamstrings rank #2 behind ACL/MCL reconstruction. So almost the worst thing that can happen to an athlete like PCA but not quite. So there’s your silver lining.
The optimistic take is that the Cubs are being cautious, and that’s probably a load of bologna. If it’s bad enough for him to sit now, it’s probably bad enough to drastically impact his style of play.
And to be clear, that style of play involves him being the fastest guy on the field at all times. So if he can’t go 100%, it’s a huge knock to the rest of his game. The same does not need to be said for many other players, and almost few can it be more aptly applied.
In other words, we’re completely fucked if Pete Crow-Armstrong has lingering hamstring issues at any point which brings me to my next question:
HOW DO WE NOT STRETCH PCA’S HAMSTRINGS?
Can we hire a personal trainer? Maybe someone who specializes in getting the athletes ready to play every day without getting hurt? Because that sounds like an important job if players are going to strain hamstrings while they’re warming up for the 162 game season. Now more than ever seems like an appropriate time to take player health & wellness seriously. So maybe we should look into that position if that’s something MLB teams do.
Another thing we should look at:
How’s David Robertson?
There’s no such thing as Too Much Bullpen Depth no matter how badly Tom Ricketts wants you to believe it. And with $27,000,000 under the luxury tax, I feel like a one-year deal for a guy that’s performed in the uniform makes too much sense. Unless of course the front office thinks he’d be eating into development innings – then by all means let me just say that’s a very stupid line of reasoning.
Last year the Cubs completely ruined the season by not having enough bullpen arms. We were too cocky about the depth chart and figured young guys would naturally emerge into trusted roles. And ultimately, we looked like the dumbest team in baseball all things considered.
So now that we have a chance to correct, I want to over-correct. I want drastic action. I want to do whatever it takes to NEVER feel that helpless again.
So if that means signing David Robertson in March just because It Can’t Hurt, then so be it.
Is Anyone Watching Opening Day Anywhere?
I figure it’s never too early to ask if there’s a 5am watch party in Wrigleyville? I tried looking that up but it’s pretty hard to google. Most responses are specific to Tokyo and I’m not going to Tokyo.
Instead I’d rather find a shitty dive that’s smart enough to stay open for 5am first pitch.
The #1 place that comes to mind is Sluggers but that’s a lot of square footage to operate that early.
Next up would by The Globe on Irving Park because they’re always open early for soccer. So that makes sense but I have serious doubts about their Marquee Network subscription.
Other contenders are Finley Dunnes, Langes on Southport, Guthries on Addison, Four Treys on Damen, Stretch on Clark if it’s still open, and of course Bernie’s.
Any of those would be the perfect venue for a 5am Opening Day in Tokyo.
Jose Quintana Is A Milwaukee Brewer
This is meaningless until it’s not because he posted another quality start against the Cubs. And I hate him being paired next to Nestor Cortes because they’re the exact kinda guys that kill the Cubs 4-5 times a season. So while it’s easy to laugh at him still in the league, let’s not forget that the Milwaukee Brewers own us until further notice.
Matt Shaw Did Not Get Hurt Today
Let’s end on some good news: Matt Shaw did not get hurt today.
That’s huge and something to build off.
15 days left.
PS – Hardest blog I ever had to write.