Decided to take The Little Kid on a guys journey to Chicago this weekend. I know theres not a load well have the ability to do, however its been a minute because I have actually been able to go, for obvious factors, and I figure we can still stroll around outside, get some excellent food, and hear the noises of a doubleheader at Wrigley Field.
– The Cubs win and the Cardinals loss last night set things up in the Central such that both the Brewers and Cardinals are now 4.5 games behind the Cubs, though the Brewers have played eight more video games than the Cardinals. Odd, and its a suggestion of simply how challenging its going to be for the Cardinals to in fact come back down the stretch. They can probably kiss their hopes at winning the Central farewell if they dont win * at least * 3 of the next 4 video games against the Cubs.
– The Cubs, meanwhile, are back to having the second best record in the National League (.605, connected with the Braves).
( Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) – The double-play to lock up last nights win was an enjoyable one from Javy Báez, who took a hop right over second base– hello, the shift is terrific sometimes! — and used his bare hand to touch second base to save a split second prior to throwing on to first:
Possibly the slickest @javy23baez tag weve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/BVVmhODxXL
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 5, 2020
– Feels like weve seen so few “El Mago” moments this year, and thats such a big chunk of the fun of viewing this Cubs team. It was nice to see that play, and the smiles that followed.
I think thats what you want to see going forward in spots where its a clear “Cubs have a little lead, cover the last 2 innings” circumstances. Sure, you d like to have Craig Kimbrel in the 9th to permit more versatility to release Jeffress in whatever huge spot comes up prior to the 9th, but its impossible to rely on Kimbrel at the moment.
– Something to view in todays Adbert Alzolay start? He clearly developed a new pitch while working at South Bend this year:
– No, its not a cutter like a lot of his brethren, its a two-seamer/sinker that is available in at the same speed as his four-seamer (93-96 mph), but has severe arm-side run. Thats an actually good set of pitches if he can still spin a quality curveball and mix in a changeup (which appears to go and come for him).
– Alzolay begins game one today, with video game two set to be a bullpen game, but itll probably depend a bit on how game one goes. If Alzolay can offer the Cubs 5 strong innings, then you have a lot more flexibility in what you desire to finish with video game two. Tentatively, I d anticipate Colin Rea to be held in reserve to begin game 2.
If they do not win * at least * 3 of the next four games versus the Cubs, they can most likely kiss their hopes at winning the Central goodbye.
I think thats what you desire to see going forward in areas where its a clear “Cubs have a small lead, cover the final 2 innings” scenarios. If Alzolay can give the Cubs five strong innings, then you have a lot more versatility in what you desire to do with video game 2. Tentatively, I d anticipate Colin Rea to be held in reserve to begin game two.
– Pedro Strop wont be prepared to sign up with the Cubs this weekend as he heads to South Bend, and then itll be an open question if he can come up at all this year. His signing came in extremely close proximity to the releases of Cody Allen and A.J. Ramos (other righty recovery reducer types), and heres how David Ross explained the choice to let them go (Cubs.com): “Their things wasnt quite prepared in their eyes,” Ross stated. “I listen to the feedback from that group there and what theyre seeing and seeing. And they felt like they werent prepared to contribute here for the huge club. So, I rely on that group over there and their decision-making.” We love Pedro, but the same evaluation will happen.
His signing came in really close proximity to the releases of Cody Allen and A.J. Ramos (other righty improvement reliever types), and heres how David Ross described the choice to let them go (Cubs.com): “Their stuff wasnt quite prepared in their eyes,” Ross stated.
Cubs Stats to Follow: Adbert Alzolay Has a New Pitch https://t.co/Bl4Ff01ZW3 #Cubs Insider
— Cubs Insider (@realcubsinsider) September 4, 2020
