Rory Sparrow
Well-known member
- Joined:
- Aug 14, 2010
- Posts:
- 4,850
- Liked Posts:
- 3,735
*Castellanos has been a great addition, but can we reverse that Maldonado deal? To me, that was the biggest news of the weekend...Contreras out for at least 10 days, most likely more. I guess 'resting' him following off days didn't really do anything other than limit his PAs when healthy.
*Not saying that the Brewers are out of it as some in the media are implying, but they do look like a shell of their 2018 team. Yelich is better, but the lineup around him has fallen off some (Lorenzo Cain?). Brewers bullpen just as much of a mess as the Cubs, too. I think in terms of the NL Central race, the A's helped out the Cubs just as much, because the Cards are the competition for the division, not the Brewers.
*Speaking of A's, they are a tough matchup for the Cubs. They are like the AL version of the Braves. I'll be surprised if the Cubs win 2 of 3 even though they are at home.
*The most promising aspect of the Cubs post ASB is Darvish's consistency. His stuff has always been unhittable, its just been highly walkable. 2 walks in his last 6 starts is incredible. If he continues playing well, the Cubs could make some noise in the postseason if he, Hendricks and Hamels are in good form (and Hamels isn't relegated to long relief in the postseason, HA!). I figure the Cubs will have to overcome Maddon's usage of Lester in the 2019 postseason.
*It was nice to see the Cubs bullpen hold up well. Two runs in three games is acceptable, especially when Chatwood was one of the pitchers used. Kyle Ryan even got a couple right-handed batters out in the first game. Go figure, right? I can't foresee the Cubs sending down Wick and Ryan; they are simply too valuable/effective in their current roles.
*Not saying that the Brewers are out of it as some in the media are implying, but they do look like a shell of their 2018 team. Yelich is better, but the lineup around him has fallen off some (Lorenzo Cain?). Brewers bullpen just as much of a mess as the Cubs, too. I think in terms of the NL Central race, the A's helped out the Cubs just as much, because the Cards are the competition for the division, not the Brewers.
*Speaking of A's, they are a tough matchup for the Cubs. They are like the AL version of the Braves. I'll be surprised if the Cubs win 2 of 3 even though they are at home.
*The most promising aspect of the Cubs post ASB is Darvish's consistency. His stuff has always been unhittable, its just been highly walkable. 2 walks in his last 6 starts is incredible. If he continues playing well, the Cubs could make some noise in the postseason if he, Hendricks and Hamels are in good form (and Hamels isn't relegated to long relief in the postseason, HA!). I figure the Cubs will have to overcome Maddon's usage of Lester in the 2019 postseason.
*It was nice to see the Cubs bullpen hold up well. Two runs in three games is acceptable, especially when Chatwood was one of the pitchers used. Kyle Ryan even got a couple right-handed batters out in the first game. Go figure, right? I can't foresee the Cubs sending down Wick and Ryan; they are simply too valuable/effective in their current roles.
