Schedule will get harder but doing a good job of beating the teams we should beat
I like how Ross is addressing the problems Kimbrel is having. The interaction between them seemed positive, as if they have a planned approach to his usage and for progress. With the exception of the grove to Mondesi, he had better control and command. Problem for a closer, you can't have any exceptions.
Ross is a godsend to the pitching staff, especially the starters. They are pitching with greater confidence. He set the tone in game one with Hendricks and hasn't deviated. He's given all the relievers a couple of chances to impress and has narrowed his choices for close games to those who have succeeded. One of Wick, Ryan or Jeffress have a days rest to close. Keeping Kimbrel in the ninth but with a larger lead for leeway. Bats need an explosion to give the back end guys another opportunity to impress.
Sadler looks like he could be a key piece in the pen this year. And when Q comes back, we get to add Chatwood or Mills to that pen, which should help dramatically.
Good win tonight. The offense comes alive late with four "manager" runs. That was missing most of last year. Darvish with another gem by the starters. Jeffress continues to impress and Colin Rea pumps 15 strikes in 18 pitches to finish it off. Efforts like that earn another look sooner rather than later, especially with a four pitch arsenal and 95 on the gun. That followed an error to start the inning.
Agree completely on Rea. He made the roster cut. Fingers crossed.
I expected Caratini to stumble between third and home. He never expected the sign to keep running. It was a nice slide for a semi belly flop.
Hoerner and Bote need the bench for a couple of games. Recharge and reassert the drive for everyday status. Both have come back hitting after some pine time. Kipnis is a decent glove and has hit. He may have some magic in him as well.
Bote hasn't hit lately but his D has been great. He finds a way to contribute. He's become a top tier bench player.
If Mills continues to deliver I'd keep him in the rotation and use Quintana out of the bullpen. Mills might be emerging as a legit starter, a commodity the Cubs dearly need next year. Let him bloom. Q might be more valuable as a second LHP out of the pen and is in his final contract year. If Mills falters then make the switch.
Happ may have figured it out.