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Chicago Cubs Thread - Playoff Push Pending

How good is Wesneski gonna be? Seen some hype for potential Rookie of the Year type stuff.
 
Also, what's the timetable on Mervis and Morel getting back up to the majors? They've got some pop too.
 
If you're counting on Bellinger....yikes. no reason to believe he is going to be 40HR guy ever again.
Morel is just a guy without a home right now. they sent him down because he wasn't going to get regular playing time. Where do you play Mervis ?
I'm just not as optimistic that all these guys are going to hit for power.... I feel like the Cubs have assembled an 85 Royals type lineup. slappy-ish hitters and great defense.
 
There are too many things that have to go really right for this team to be a true contender this year. Hosmer is on the league minimum. So if he blows you will get to see Mervis get on the job experience (good defense, limited MiLB ABs). Morel should not have been shipped down IMO. Total swiss army knife player. That has huge value. Let him learn and get him regular ABs by moving him around 3B, SS, 2B, CF, LF.

Do think the depth and upside of this pitching staff is a real strength. That obviously can keep them in contention for the playoffs. But again, someone has to step up and be that dude you believe wins 70% of his starts.
 
DeacMan said:
There are too many things that have to go really right for this team to be a true contender this year. Hosmer is on the league minimum. So if he blows you will get to see Mervis get on the job experience (good defense, limited MiLB ABs). Morel should not have been shipped down IMO. Total swiss army knife player. That has huge value. Let him learn and get him regular ABs by moving him around 3B, SS, 2B, CF, LF.
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Heard Jed Hoyer talk about that this AM. They wanted to keep the 3rd Catcher because he is out of options and they don't want to lose the guy at this point. So in order for Morel to get AB's he had to go down
 
Good start to the season when the staff pitches a shutout.

The Cubs won't overpower anybody but there is some pop. The team did a good job of manufacturing runs in the spring. The players understand and strive to contribute in the moment. Situational hitting. I expect the team to run and steal bases. Add pitching and defense. Winning records are based on those fundamentals. If a few players play to career highs, contending for the playoffs seems possible.

It's early and we're talking Cub baseball. Might as well have a little hope. We all know how to handle disappointment from experience.
 
Bump. 15-14 thus far getting good starting pitching. Wisdom leading NL in homers.
 
By the numbers the offense, defense and pitching are all performing well. Would expect a better record than 15-14. According to MLB standings the expectation is 19-10, in part due to a run differential of +44. That differential is third best in the NL and fifth in MLB.

This is an improved team on every level minus relief pitching. Late inning relief can't seem to hold a lead. Hard to see Fulmer or Boxberger as the answer.

At least the Cubs are more fun to watch. Improved fundamentals and improved situational play.
 
Nice 4-1 win on return to Wrigley. Justin Steele gets his fifth win. Mervis and Amaya make their Wrigley Field debut. Amaya hit the ball hard but nothing to show for it. Mervis struggled his first 3 at bats but collected his first RBI with a line drive single late in the game. He has driven in 25% of all the runners on base during his time in the minors. Clutch.
 
Marlins win in 14 innings. I was surprised Ross stayed with Velasquez, Mervis and Amaya with the game on the line in the ninth and tenth innings. Hoerner, Suzuki and Swanson are scuffling the past two weeks.

The improvement in the defense and at catcher are obvious.
 
The bullpen disappeared. Fourth and fifth starters have been weak. Bellinger's bat has been missed. Hoerner's injury and fall off has hurt. Mervis has struggled.

For this team to be succesful the veteran leaders must perform and that has been inconsistent. The biggest problem is the bullpen. They can't hold a lead and they are giving up too many add on runs. When 1-2 run deficits expand to 5-6 runs, the team becomes non competitive. Boxberger and Fulmer are huge disappointments and have failed to provide veteran leadership in the bullpen. It's hard to keep the hitters engaged when the bullpen is giving up more runs late than this team can manufacture.
 
An encouraging start from Hendricks and good bullpen work from the three pitchers that have performed decently all season result in a 2-1 win.

Tauchman with his second straight game winning RBI. That will keep you in the bigs for a few games. I enjoy watching career AAAA players make good with their career on the line.
 
WindyCityDeac said:
I feel like they are stuck. They should be sellers at the deadline, but they’ve basically said they are going for it next year.
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Riiiiight. They will have to make some significant moves this off season it appears. something we have seen little of since the championship.
 
Buttermaker said:
Riiiiight. They will have to make some significant moves this off season it appears. something we have seen little of since the championship.
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I’m not saying they’re close, but they’ve been pretty public about next year being there go for it year.

Do you trade Stroman at the deadline ? He’s the Cubs best asset at this point. Also seems like he loves pitching in Chicago. They are in a wierd place IMO
 
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