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Chicago Cubs Thread - Playoff Push Pending

Missed the game today, but damn, is Arietta human? 2 Ks looking in the 8th inning.
 
Interesting fact of the day: Over Jake's last 27 regular season starts, he has more no hitters than losses. He is 23-1
 
In spite of our success we have been completely shut down by more than one power pitcher, bringing back more than a few nightmares of the NLCS. Something to work on over the next 4 1/2 months
 
The Brewers made some ridiculous defensive plays in the first 3 innings. We hit like 5 balls that could/should have been hits.
 
Joe Nathan was signed to a major league contract and placed on the 60 day DL. He will report to Mesa, AZ to continue rehab from Tommy John surgery performed in April 2015. The hope is he will be able to provide quality depth to the bullpen after the all star break. Bosio gets another opportunity to work his magic.

Ryan Kalish cleared waivers and was reassigned to Iowa. He came up big in a couple of victories and will likely have an opportunity to contribute before the season is over.

With four losses in the last six games it seems that the bloom is off the early season rose. Hopefully, the thorns shred the competition until another rose appears.
 
Cubs beat the Brewers in 13 innings 2-1. Toughest win of the year. Travis Wood induces 3 pop outs to the infield with the bases loaded and no outs to escape in the 12th. He walks with the bases loaded in the top of the 13th to force in the winning run. Ramirez with a hold and Richard with a save. Cubs were 0-13 with runners in scoring position. Every Cub position player and every reliever made an appearance.
 
The Nathan signing is low risk, likely low reward - don't see him coming back as a power pitcher and will have to rely on his slider and curveball which is meh - we likely need another power arm in the pen with Ramirez and Grimm looking iffy. Nathan is getting like $500k this year with a mutual $1.5 million for next year - I would rather see them call up Concepcion, CJ or Pena.
 
Maddon is so good at making the right moves to win games. The man. the myth
 
Lack of offense might be the problem. During the past 7 games (3-4) only Zobrist (.381), Heyward (.308), Bryant (.250) and Russell (.231) are above .200. The numbers for the other eight position players are ugly. The opposition knows the Cubs have been patient and are going right after them. Averages plummet when hitters are behind in the count.
 
That means there are a lot of hittable fastballs early in the count. Need to make them pay by swinging early in the count.

Make the adjustment, roll tide.
 
That is being tried without success. The strike zone has expanded for a number of hitters who seem to be pressing. It was hard to watch last night. Adjustment can take time, especially when the opposing pitcher is hitting his spots. It also goes against the basic team hitting philosophy that has been successful early.
 
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