Well, it’s over. I don’t have anything especially poignant to say. It was a weird year, and a sad year, and a hopeful year, and it ends on a hopeful note but not the most hopeful note. There are players about whom we should be optimistic going into 2022 and the years beyond, but there isn’t really anyone about whom we can be reasonably confident. The best one for that is probably Nick Madrigal, and he’ll be coming off of a significant hamstring injury having not played a full professional season since 2019, back in the minor leagues.
We’ll have plenty to say about the impending offseason and the season that’s now done as October draws on, but for today, a few notes about yesterday:
- The Cubs set a major league record, using their 69th player of the season. Some of this is Covid, but still. Impressive? (I really would like to memorize this list. Maybe we’ll have Stu write a song.)
- The Cubs won! That’s neat. 71-91 overall, 21-36 after the deadline (60-win pace).
- Alec Mills wasn’t great again. Bummer of a last few weeks from him.
- Frank Schwindel hit two doubles, of course.
- Ian Happ finishes with a 103 wRC+, above the average line. He did it.
- Matt Duffy had two singles, of course. There’s always the chance that was his last MLB game, but I’d be surprised after he managed to play half a season and contribute 1.4 fWAR on the year. Someone will want him. Possibly the Cubs.
- Trayce Thompson pulverized a couple balls, but both went for outs.
- Joe Biagini had an effective relief outing.
***
The Diaspora:
Anthony Rizzo is playoff-bound, coming through with a one-out single in the ninth to set up Aaron Judge’s walkoff knock that cleared the Yankees from dealing with a tiebreaker game (or games). In the Wild Card Game, he’ll be playing opposite Kyle Schwarber, who reached base three times as the Red Sox cleared a tiebreaker game themselves. Also reaching base three times was Kris Bryant, as the Giants held themselves clear from a tiebreaker game as well, beating the Padres to finish a game ahead of the Dodgers. Ryan Tepera had a strong outing for the White Sox, striking out two in a scoreless inning. Jorge Soler hit his 27th home run of the year. Joc Pederson may well seize the October spotlight.
Around the Division:
The Cardinals play the Dodgers on Wednesday in the NL Wild Card Game. Adam Wainwright vs. Max Scherzer in Los Angeles. The Brewers start the NLDS at home on Friday against Atlanta. No starters announced yet for the Crew, but they’ll be facing Charlie Morton in Game 1 and Max Fried in Game 2.
Cubs News:
Willson Contreras went on the IL for the final game with hip inflammation, which helped make the record-setting number of players used possible.
Cubs Thoughts:
Enjoy the start of the offseason, everybody. Especially if you’re Frank Schwindel.
