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Chicago Cubs Thread - Playoff Push Pending

DaDeacs said:
Cubs get the biggest bat on the market, which says something. And the biggest trades were all for AL teams - we don't have to worry about Verlander, Cole and Greinke unless we make the WS. Rest of the NL contenders didn't do much - Dodgers did nothing, Braves did nothing, Nats bulked up their pen, Brewers added a couple of middling starters.

Kemp and Castellanos should be able to settle in right at the top of the lineup against the right matchups - and Castellanos crushes lefties, which would make for a murderers row if we lined up Nick in the 2 hole followed by Bryant then Baez then Contreras.
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So much happend right after 4 that I missed the Braves getting Melancon and Greene. That's two solid pen pieces, they are going to be a tough out in the playoffs.
 
Wieck is a huge (6'9" 255 lbs) former 7th round draft pick of the Mets in 2014. He was traded to the Padres midseason 2015 and bumped to A (ADV) where he faltered. He was converted to a reliever in 2016. Has averaged 12.5 K's/9 and has a 3.16 ERA in the minors. Looked good in a September call up in 2018, but has struggled in San Diego this year. Has given up 13 homers in 49 innings between Padres and El Paso. Cubs sure soured on CJ.
 
Glad they didn’t give up any top prospects for those guys. Does Heyward move to center?
 
Kimbrel just doesn't look like Kimbrel - leaves fastballs middle in, throws dead center heat on 0-2. Assuming it's all going to be like this for a few more weeks until he gets into a groove, but man.
 
Castellanos hitting the ball well so far, lots of solid contact.

Hamels off the IL to start today. Zobrist starting back up in South Bend - he needs to be on the active roster by August 31st to be eligible for the playoffs, if they make it.
 
Brach DFA'd. Finally. Now Joe cant continue to use him in high leverage situations.

That's great for Wick and Ryan who have looked solid so far in the pen.
 
Wick earned his first win in the bigs this afternoon. When asked if Wick's performance influenced the decision to DFA Brach, Maddon answered "Of course".

Tony Kemp leads off the fifth with a pinch hit drag bunt single. Surprise! At bats like that remind a team to focus on situational hitting. They also earn starts. Almora earned another as well.
 
BlackjackMc said:
Wick earned his first win in the bigs this afternoon. When asked if Wick's performance influenced the decision to DFA Brach, Maddon answered "Of course".

Tony Kemp leads off the fifth with a pinch hit drag bunt single. Surprise! At bats like that remind a team to focus on situational hitting. They also earn starts. Almora earned another as well.
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Drag bunt attempt for a hit? In 2019? Love to see it.
 
Darvish gets his first win at Wrigley. He's been solid since the All Star game. Holland and Chatwood solid in relief. Good to see brooms again.
 
The good news is that we are 1.5 ahead and even tho we play the athletics... the cardinals play the dodgers and so we should be able to keep or increase that spread.
 
BlackjackMc said:
Darvish gets his first win at Wrigley. He's been solid since the All Star game. Holland and Chatwood solid in relief. Good to see brooms again.
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He's had a pretty bipolar season. Splitting the season in half, in his first 11 starts Darvish had a 5.40 ERA, a 67:38 K:BB ratio, and an opponent slash line of 0.246/0.369/0.459 in 55 IP.

Over his last 12 starts (since May 31), Darvish has a 3.55 ERA, a 82:13 K:BB ratio, and an opponent slash line of 0.197/0.250/0.363 in 71 IP.

Pretty start difference. Let's hope he can keep it up.
 
Kimbrel to the IL with right knee inflammation. Duane Underwood recalled from Iowa. Kimbrel hopeful it is only 10 days.

Contreras to IL with a right hamstring strain. Project a 4 week recovery. Taylor Davis recalled from Iowa. Cubs should look to Schwarber for additional depth at catcher. I doubt the front office could find a better option out of the organization and I suspect he would enjoy the opportunity.
 
Really think they need to suck it up and put in a claim on Lucroy and pay his remaining salary. Hes been a rockstar in the past, but is basically an above average defensive catcher with a barely average bat, for a catcher. Still, that's light years better than Davis.
 
Kintzler now hurt - not sure if he is going on the IL, but cubs are dropping like flies.

Rene Rivera could also be available, still hoping for Lucroy.
 
Kintzler to the IL. Strop returns from IL, though Maddon states he will not close or work consecutive days.

Underwood caught everyone's attention. Len and JD speculating he was pulled after two innings to keep him available. Wick, Chatwood and Underwood are 96+ power arms with decent off speed pitches. The rest of the bullpen are crafty vets hard pressed to get a swing and miss. I've seen enough of Wick to hand him the ball in a high leverage situation. Sometimes necessity provides opportunity.

Schwarber caught the ninth. Put on the tools of the trade. Low key having fun. Singles to drive in a pair of runs.
 
Lucroy signed. 5-1 home stand against two good teams. Castellanos has a hit in every game as a Cub. Happ is back (SSS goggles required).

Kyle Ryan has been great in the pen all year. Phelps is working his way back, but has some good swing and miss stuff.
 
Are you happy DaDeacs? Lucroy is no cost, Cubs have had good fortune with late season pick ups at catcher, so why not.

Castellanos has been a boost, as has Happ. Castellanos has a surprising motor on the bases. Cuts a base beautifully, you can see why he leads MLB in doubles.

Ryan has been good. I have concerns that Kyle, Cishek and Kintzler are wearing down from heavy usage. All three project to 70+ games in the regular season.

A week at Wrigley improves the outlook. Now to the road for 10 games.
 
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