1. That was awful.
It wasn’t an awful performance, per se—who knows, maybe Sam Hentges will go the way of Shane Bieber/Mike Clevinger/etc. and flourish in Cleveland—but it was an awful experience to follow that game. The most frustrating way to lose.
2. Maybe the Cubs should try *not* putting runners on base?
I’m not sure if the hitting-with-runners-on-base woes are statistically significant, but they’re psychologically significant, at least to the fans. What are the possible explanations? One would be that the Cubs start pressing with guys on, especially with the knowledge that they’ve been awful in those situations for a few years now. Another would be that pitchers know how to approach the Cubs with guys on base. There are probably others. Each of the two I suggested has doubtable aspects. Whatever’s going on, it’s really frustrating to watch.
3. Thank goodness Kris Bryant’s wrist isn’t broken.
But still…a bruise on the wrist? ON THE WRIST? Stop it. Stop it, universe. Let Kris Bryant be.
Hopefully this doesn’t turn into anything nagging, yada yada yada. Get your sleep, Mr. Bryant. Ice it. Have Big Tony come watch the kid. Actually you probably want Matt Duffy doing that.
4. Zach Davies pitched well!
The Cubs and Cleveland have that thing going where they can look at each other and each say, “Yeah, I don’t know how we’re this bad at scoring runs either,” but still, good outing from Davies. That’s two in a row now, the ERA is getting less unsightly, hopefully he’s getting back to being serviceable, if not dependable yet.
5. The Cubs don’t like it anymore when you throw up and in.
Willson Contreras and Javy Báez are particularly not appreciative of the gesture.
6. This isn’t that bad.
They were banged up, it was just two games, the last three have each come by one run and each was a little fluky (the Pirates’ bloop parade on Sunday, RISP woes both days in Cleveland). We talk about that reasonable goal here, and I’d say it’s still 28-25 at the end of May, which breaks down as follows against each set of opponents:
Tigers/Pirates: 4-2
Nationals/Cardinals/Reds: 6-4
Padres: 1-0
Beating the Padres is the most outlandish thing on there, and a .600 clip against the Nats, Cardinals, and Reds isn’t easy, but all of that is doable (especially because only the Tigers series and the Cardinals series are on the road), and really, the goal is to get to Memorial Day morning at 27-25. Do that and you’ll probably have taken a series from the Cardinals, and you’ll probably be within a few games in the division.
***
Around the Division:
The Reds did a wild thing where they scored four runs in the tenth inning. Would be fun to do that. They beat the Pirates, 5-1. The Brewers pulled away from the Cardinals late, winning 4-1.
Standings, FanGraphs division championship probabilities:
1. St. Louis: 22-15, 34.3%
2. Milwaukee: 20-17, 44.9%
3. Cincinnati: 17-17, 12.1%
4. Cubs: 17-19, 8.6%
5. Pittsburgh: 15-21, 0.1%
The Cardinals and Brewers wrap up their set today, with Jack Flaherty opposite Corbin Burnes as he returns from his asymptomatic Covid experience. The Pirates begin a four-game set against the Giants in Pittsburgh. The Reds begin a four-game set with the Rockies in Denver.
Up Next:
After the off day today, the Cubs are up in Detroit, with Jake Arrieta slated to return and start the opener. Nico Hoerner should also be returning, which would bring the roster back to its stable 13 position players provided nobody else goes on the IL. Hopefully Kris Bryant’s ok. Hopefully Jason Heyward’s really ok. Hopefully Javy Báez is really ok.
