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Chicago Cubs Thread - Playoff Push Pending

The Yanks can have Black back for free - hes got that 100 MPH heater, but he cant locate for anything.

I would be extremely shocked if any of Baez, Almora, Contreras or Warbird were included for Miller or Chapman. Soler potentially, but still dont think so. Everyone else is fair game.

Vogelbach will be gone, almost has to - but his value is diminished since people know he is blocked. Zagunis is a good trade chip, McKinney too - both have the ability to put up solid OBP and play decent OF with a little speed.
 
Welcome to the big leagues Wilson Contreras! First pitch. pinch hit 2 run HR to dead center field. That's a encore standing O. Nice first AB.
 
I like the Father's Day look with our jerseys. I also love the 10-4 lead coming into the 9th.

6 HRs tonight all by players under the age of 26
 
Cubs sweep Pirates with a 10-5 win. Hendricks sets a career high with 12 K's in a six inning, one run start. Richard and Warren show why they are at the back of the bullpen giving up four runs in two innings of relief. Home runs by Baez, Bryant, Rizzo, Contreras and Russell power the offense. Cardinals visit Wrigley for three games starting tomorrow.
 
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So is Contreras expected to be the everyday catcher for the Cubs now? Or just spot starts?
 
Pretty amazing we’re 47-20 and still way underperforming our Pythagorean record. Think I need to watch more games, a special team like this – and a special Cubs team at that –doesn’t come around too frequently
 
Demonwolverine said:
So is Contreras expected to be the everyday catcher for the Cubs now? Or just spot starts?
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Spot starts and (likely?) demoted at some point and recalled in September. He needs to get behind the plate more - but would be tough to hand this starting staff over to a rookie right now, no matter how limited Montero has been offensively or throwing out runners. If he stays up, would assume he takes on the Warbird approach, starts once very 5th game or so - but I really don't see the value in keeping him up unless he gets a lot of playing time - he's a good bat off the bench, and technically can play 3rd, but his positional flexibility is tough - continuing to carry 3 catchers on this team is asking for more injuries, especially with the way Maddon plays them. The problem is there really isn't another player that could take his spot that would provide that bat.

Would not be surprised to see Murton or Kalish called up if Fowler goes on the DL - and then Contreras sent back down once he is back.
 
wsc8521s said:
Pretty amazing we’re 47-20 and still way underperforming our Pythagorean record. Think I need to watch more games, a special team like this – and a special Cubs team at that –doesn’t come around too frequently
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This Cubs team is streaky - they put up runs in bunches, but also can go two games without doing much - having some people in the lineup that can put the ball in play like Heyward and Zobrist is helping to move along runners and manufacture runs like we couldn't in the past - but we still have a tendency to put up 15 Ks in a game relatively frequently.

But man, the power in this lineup is real - top to bottom it is tough to find a weakness (outside of RP, which we will address at some point) - even Cogs is proving me wrong and getting on base - and he needs to since he is going to be platooning the next couple of weeks.
 
I'm guessing Contreras will catch some of the vets a bit (Lester aside), to speed up the learning curve. He could also DH a bit when we play in AL parks.

I think he will steal some at-bats from Montero (who perennially doesn't get a ton of PA's throughout the season).
 
wsc8521s said:
Pretty amazing we’re 47-20 and still way underperforming our Pythagorean record. Think I need to watch more games, a special team like this – and a special Cubs team at that –doesn’t come around too frequently
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Quit thinking. Start watching. You'll be glad you did.
 
Deacsfan27 said:
I'm guessing Contreras will catch some of the vets a bit (Lester aside), to speed up the learning curve. He could also DH a bit when we play in AL parks.

I think he will steal some at-bats from Montero (who perennially doesn't get a ton of PA's throughout the season).
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Contreras is catching Lackeys next start - but Montero calls a great game and is a great pitch framer. This starting staff is dominating, and a lot of the credit goes to Ross and Montero. Contreras could be as good, but you don't know and don't really want to mess with the mojo if you don't have to.
 
Dexter Fowler placed on the 15 day DL with a hamstring strain. C.J. Edwards recalled from Iowa to bolster the bullpen. A smart move considering the difficulties of Grimm, Warren and Richard. Lackey struggling early tonight so it appears the bullpen will be called on early.
 
Cogs, Bryant, Heyward, Szczur, Baez are the five dudes that can play OF right now - and at least one of those has to play 3B. Not a lot of flexibility now.
 
DaDeacs said:
Cogs, Bryant, Heyward, Szczur, Baez are the five dudes that can play OF right now - and at least one of those has to play 3B. Not a lot of flexibility now.
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Add Almora, delete Baez. I'm OK with Cogs/Szczur in LF, Almora in CF and Heyward in RF. I realize Bryant will play in the OF to enable Baez more starts in the infield.
 
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Warren demoted to stretch him out so he can start a game in the next couple of weeks, Richard to the DL - Concepcion called up, LHP with some sick stuff, and Spencer Patton recalled - he has been lights out in AAA this year.
 
Starting Contreras was a mistake. Really not sure why we forced this - the comfort level of the starters is more important than moving along a prospect.
 
IDK. Lackluster performances by Lackey and Hammel with Contreras catching prompts that response and if it's not broke why fix it. Then again, neither were sharp and they were due for a clunker. However, an article on the Cub website states Maddon plans on starting Contreras twice a week. It seems to imply he is here for the long haul. Maddon likes the flexibility of three catchers. Montero's back might not be 100% and his bat has been weak thus far. Ross might not be able to continue the pace he has been on. Contreras has flashed an arm, excellent athleticism and a decent bat thus far. Time will tell.

The roster moves were a surprise. So are six starters. Patton and Concepcion can't be much worse than Richard and Patton have been. Maybe Concepcion will be the lefty specialist that's needed. There has been a lot of change the past two weeks. I hope it doesn't screw up the team chemistry.
 
Pitch calling was tough - he had Carpenter 1-2 and called 2 straight chase pitches followed by a belt high heater. The glove looks to be out and over the plate on a lot of pitches.
 
Adversity continues. Montero exits the game in the top of the sixth after a play at the plate. Injury unknown at present. The discussion about Contreras could be a moot point.

Arrieta wasn't sharp and is lifted after five innings, 104 pitches and two runs allowed. Grimm enters in the sixth and leaves after 1/3 inning and four runs scored. CJ Edwards enters and surrenders a HR. Score after six innings is 7-0 Cards.

Spreading the misery. Cubs have one hit and several bonehead defensive plays. A real team effort this afternoon.
 
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