I’d like to see a little more pop up the middle and not getting jammed on the hands but I don’t want to be too critical of a Walk Off to start the day. Just something on my mind as I reflect on being unnecessarily hard on Matt Shaw – is this a moment I want to relent and congratulate him? Absolutely not. If anything it’s an opportunity to double down and remind the youngster to stay humble in his success. Especially since we need to sweep today and I believe he’s in the lineup.
Some other observations from last night’s game:
- People are mad we didn’t win by 10 but that’s crazy to me. It’s still a win and it’s still against big league pitching. Even if the Rockies suck balls, you still have to go out and beat them and with last night that’s 2-0 this week
- PCA is the first guy in every dog pile and I personally love it
- Although I understand if it annoys some people
- Cade Horton was sensational last night and I will follow up with a longer blog this morning about why and how. For now I think it’s important to view him alongside Ben Brown when talking about their development. They couldn’t be more different and I think one guy starts a playoff game while another gets traded or goes to the bullpen.
- The bullpen gave up 0 ER in 5 innings last night with 5 different arms throwing a combined 82 pitches. I think that’s important because we’re building bullpen culture here over the next 5-6 weeks. Now that identities are starting to take shape without a closer, it’s a huge opportunity for everyone to step up and do a little more. I think that’s huge for the long-run and will help Jed identify the weakest points going into the trade deadline.
- 1-2-3 last night goes 5-13 with 2 walks and that’s kind of a down night for the group. Whatever. Ian Happ should have a red hot June based on my eye test.
- Reese McGuire with a couple nice catch and throws yesterday that Moises Ballesteros would never be able to make at this point in his career, which was a good reminder why Reese is here. Even if that comes with 0-3 and a punchie. I want the glove and arm first from a backup and that’s what we’re getting from Reese.
- PCA was 0-5 with 2 K’s last night which means I think he’s 3-5 with a crotch grabber early
- Crotch Grabber = big home run
- I will continue to be hard on Matt Shaw because I think the world needs it but also because it’s by far the most important position on the field now with respect to our playoff odds. I want to see another starting pitcher and a bonafide closer at the trade deadline. But right now we don’t need a 3rd baseman if Shaw can play defense, run the bases and give us extremely competitive at bats at the bottom of the order. That’s the starting point to a breakout 2nd half which is very much on the table. But again, most importantly, we can’t let him know any of this or else he’ll take his foot off the gas. So for now, stay on his ass for the good of the team.
Extended Highlights
Monday Morning Cubs Show