Yesterday was a long day. A few positives:
- The Cubs at least were competitive late into each game. Especially the first.
- Rafael Ortega and Patrick Wisdom had big days. Ortega’s wRC+ is at a ridiculous 143 over 155 plate appearances, which is top-25 in baseball among guys with 150 or more PA’s. Wisdom’s is a comparably ridiculous 137 over 216 plate appearances, which is top-30 in baseball among guys with 210 or more PA’s. Ortega’s career wRC+ is still bad (81), but Wisdom doesn’t have as much big league baggage (123 career wRC+ now). They’re both intriguing for next year. Wisdom more so.
- Justin Steele allowed a lot of balls in play, and Avisaíl García did something mean to a baseball in the fourth, but Steele did keep most of the hard contact on the ground, he only walked one, and he made it through five innings. Not a bad debut. He’s lined up now to either go Sunday against the Marlins or Monday against the Reds. My guess would be Monday.
- Alec Mills had it going until the rain came in the nightcap, striking out three, walking nobody, and allowing just one hit. Would have been nice to get him a few more innings, but he looks more and more like a guy the Cubs can pencil into next year’s rotation, at least preliminarily.
Ok. That’s not too few positives. Not the worst day, then, I suppose.
***
The Diaspora:
Kris Bryant’s “walk-off” may have come on an error, but he hit the ball 104 miles per hour at a first baseman trying to backhand it, so I would argue it should be given credit. Bryant also doubled. Andrew Chafin closed out the A’s comeback, 10-inning win in Cleveland. There may have been more of note that I’m missing.
Around the Division:
The Reds lost, dropping them to seven back of the Brewers just as it looked like they were making a run.
Up Next:
A singleheader.
***
Whom:
Cubs vs. Milwaukee
When:
7:05 PM Chicago Time
Where:
Wrigley Field
Weather:
Chance of storms again, getting worse as the evening goes on. Wind should be blowing out, and rather hard.
Starting Pitchers:
Jake Arrieta vs. Corbin Burnes
The Opponent:
Burnes hasn’t missed a beat lately. He’s up to a 1.84 xERA and a 1.66 FIP over 113 innings, is fifth in all of baseball in fWAR (21st in bWAR, I believe), and is very much a Cy Young contender in the National League.
The Numbers:
The Cubs are +240 underdogs with the Brewers at -280 for an implied Cubs win probability of about 27%. Over/under’s at ten and leans towards the under.
Cubs News:
Rowan Wick was called up yesterday between games, with Trevor Megill headed back to AAA. Wick threw a scoreless inning last night.
He’s only got sixty career innings, but his career ERA’s 3.15 and his FIP’s 2.87, with 1.3 fWAR out of the bullpen. Almost all of that has come with the Cubs. He’s not yet arbitration-eligible, so if he can stay healthy, he’ll be part of the mix for a while. Good to have him back.
Cubs Thoughts:
The rain might be nice tonight. Depending when it comes.
