This is a Cubs/Padres Series Recap Blog where we tackle the biggest items from the weekend.
A good starting point is Sunday’s loss and more specifically – how much are you willing to let it ruin a 5-1 week?
If you asked me immediately after the game, I’d have been much more willing to forget everything good in the sake of being pissed. But I took a walk and slept on it and I’ll be honest. I’ve moved on from having one shred of negativity towards Justin Turner or Ben Brown.
Again – ask me yesterday and I’m singing songs about their downfalls but that’s momentary. That’s a reaction. I watch from the couch for a couple reasons and my emotional grip (or lack thereof) is somewhere on that list.
All of this to say 5-1 is a great week when you consider everything. So let’s do exactly that.
Here’s the stuff on my mind:
- Kyle Tucker, generally
- Ian Happ’s 1,000 Games
- Starting Pitching
- Nico Hoerner is up
- Pete Crow Armstrong is down
- The bullpen is _________
- And we’ve learned a lot about the Cubs
In further detail…
Kyle Tucker Is Better Than Expected And That Seems Impossible
It was his first homer at Wrigley and with it, he now leads MLB in the following categories:
- Hits
- Runs
- HR
- OPS
- RBI
- bWAR
- fWAR
We would like to see him extended because there’s a lockout coming and maybe even a salary cap or floor. It’s not clear yet, but there’s plenty of uncertainty about the future of MLB contracts which makes for an uncomfortable free agency period this winter. That’s why you’re seeing teams extend players now because they want to get ahead of the labor issues and their impact on future bargaining power.
Kyle Tucker fits into this category and the only team capable of negotiating with him right now is the Cubs. As such you’d say it’s imperative we get this deal done. I’ll talk more at 11am about the Vlad Jr. deal and how that impacts the Cubs.
For now though I just want to stress that this isn’t a gimmick or schtick or a joke or anything on that spectrum. I’m being dead serious. The Cubs need to extend Kyle Tucker or else Tom Ricketts will lose every ounce of credibility gained in 2016, which is crazy to say out loud but also very true.
It’s totally up to Tom how long he wears a Cubs uniform.
Ian Happ Has Worn It For 1,000 Games
Maybe the best catch I’ve seen a left fielder make at Wrigley ever. Correct me if you know one better. Personally I can’t think of one but I’m kinda shit for brains some times and maybe this is one of those times.
Also, this was very bad ass
Happ is one of the more underrated Cubs of my generation. Probably the best Cub to be considered underrated, if that’s a thing.
Also subject to some really shitty timing in his career.
He came up to be the young guy in a world series core. Then he watched it crumble as the last guy standing. But he wasn’t even apart of the World Series team and doesn’t get to benefit from any of it while we just naturally lump him in with those guys.
He watched the Cubs go from being one of the biggest spenders to biggest jokes. He’s seen all sides of Tom Ricketts and has spent equal time rebuilding as he has competing for division championships.
Certainly an interesting career arc and deserving of more respect from Chicago casuals.
Also great butt cheeks. That’s expected when you’re a rookie but to still keep them so high and tight is a testament to his work ethic.
That’s good stuff.
Also love the WAG treatment here. Gotta show the senior statesman some respect.
What else:
Starting Pitching Is Really Solid
I know Ben Brown pooped his pants yesterday but Shota went into the 8th inning and Matt Boyd has 11 scoreless to start his Cubs career. Their work this weekend combined:
- 13.1 innings
- 1 ER
- 9 strikeouts
- 1 walk
- 3 extra base hits
- 68 gamescore combined (50 is average)
- 70.5% strike percentage
- 176 total pitches for 2 quality starts
This is such good stuff from 2 average looking lefties against a lineup that murders lefties. So needless to say I was a little hesitant but they dominated in the cold weather and took advantage of the home cooking.
Then consider you’ve got Justin Steel and Jameson Taillon with all the polish going against the Rangers and it’s easy to feel good about the starting pitching.
That said I think Ben Brown’s days in the rotation are numbered. Especially if Cade Horton is healthy and Jordan Wicks can command a fastball.
Nico Hoerner is Up, Pete Crow Armstrong Is Down
PCA is struggling because he’s trying to hard.
Nico is thriving because he’s patient and within himself.
These are esoteric concepts but they make a lot of sense to me. So I’m inclined to share with you.
I’d like to see Pete hit the ball on the ground to the shortstop right now because we don’t need anything more. He just needs a .335 OBP to get into the 4-5 WAR range and that can happen if he slows down and is less aggressive.
I think he makes the adjustment because he’s smart enough. But it’s kinda frustrating to see the fastest guy in MLB post a 50% flyball rate and swing through so many fastballs. It’s really not that complicated when you’re as talented as PCA. And then most important is he’s hitting 7th in a veteran lineup. Cool your jets literally and figuratively and just play a little smarter.
Nico is a good comparison because he’s got exactly what we’re looking for from PCA. Shorten the swing and focus on swinging down into hard contact. Then run the bases hard and play elite defense. That’s the recipe and I want to see PCA start taking these steps sooner than later.
And The Bullpen Needs Help Immediately
I’ll get into this more substantively on the MMCS with Mahoney but I’m close to hating the bullpen if we’re gonna pussy foot around the closer role. I like Pressly on paper but if there’s no swing and miss then we need to make an immediate move before it really blows up. Let’s not make this too complicated.
Most Importantly, We Won A Series Against The Padres
7-5 after this schedule is much better than I had expected, and that’s our biggest takeaway. Things are just fine.
Some other miscellaneous thoughts:
- Alex Cohen is better than Boog in the booth
- Why is Colin Rea on the team?
- I hate pinch hitting Michael Busch on an off day. Either let him get the day off or then use him at first base. But don’t go in-between and then shrug your shoulders when Justin Turner can’t bend at the waist
- Craig Counsell is still pissing me off though
- I was too mean yesterday about Jason Heyward. I need to chill sometimes
- I was too mean to Justin Turner yesterday. I need to chill sometimes.
- It’s just a baseball game guys relax
- New MMCS is out now. Go check it out:
Did you see Vlad’s new contract. I saw that and immediately thought there is no chance the Cubs are extending Tucker.