Good afternoon and thanks for coming back to Carls Blogs.
This is just a quick announcement that the podcast is now live and ROLLING as we get into the 2nd half.
Here’s what we’re working with today on the show:
- I had my driveway paved last week and it was 7,000 square feet of back breaking labor for Liberty Paving. Check them out if you’re in Aurora and need a job done.
- We don’t want to talk about the Brewers that much but we have to in some respect. The biggest takeaway is that the Cubs are going to be playing much sharper and stronger baseball down the stretch because they have to compete with Milwaukee. I think that’s a much better relationship into the playoffs than blowing out the competition. So while I’d like to see the Brewers collapse right now, I have no problem with them applying pressure before jumping into 8 games in a 3 week span.
- I am not nervous about the Brewers
- It was lovely to see PCA and Kyle Tucker at the All Star game but even better knowing the rest of the club was home enjoying a break with family. I need everyone recharged going into August and we lucked out not sending the 8-9 deserving All Stars for what amounts to be a meaningless week
- Michael Busch should start against most lefties, but I wouldn’t apply that to Garret Crochet. He would go 0-3 with 3 bad strikeouts and that’s why Craig started Justin Turner.
- However – Justin Turner has probably made his last start for the Chicago Cubs. I like the guy but just calling it how I see it. There’s no way he needs to get any more playing time unless an emergency. It’s just not a good fit.
- Mahoney hands out some awards every week: player, pitcher, worst thing and best thing. No surprises here but PCA makes the list and that’s a good segue into my comparison that I see a lot of Griffey and Trout in the way he plays. If you don’t like that then you are probably not a Cubs fan.
- Ian Happ proably won’t lead off again
- Craig Counsell probably won’t get stabbed but I fear for his safety if he starts Justin Turner one more time.
- Matt Shaw looks much improved in the 2nd half
- Cade Horton is our ultimate secret weapon and I think people are saying he’s the hottest hand in the rotation going into October. That’s how happy I am with his changeup usage lately. He just needs to throw it over the plate more with confidence and that should make everything else look better.
- That said, Shota is a legit #1 no matter how you slice and dice it. There’s no problem starting him tomorrow against any other pitcher in baseball. I like his stuff that much and I also think he matches up well next to Boyd in the playoffs because they’re completely different lefties.
- MAILBAG
- It’s a huge mailbag so I won’t try to recreate anything here now but it covers trade deadline and has a lot on prospect capital, etc.
Thanks for tuning in.
Go Cubs and please give the show to a diehard.
Or just leave us a review.
Either way – thank you for tuning in.