Game 26- Rispy Business

One of the best statistics in baseball is the RISP statistic. If you have runners in scoring position (2nd base or better), how often do you drive them in?

San Diego currently leads the MLB in RISP which, great for them. Now, let me see where the Cubs are on this list...

Hmm Top 10?

Nope.

Top 20? Keep looking!

Way down the list in 24th place are the Cubs. These are the same Cubs that are killing it in almost every single offense category.

The RISP chickens really came home to roost today with the team going 2-15 RISP. Most egregious was the 12th with bases loaded and NO OUTs.

Still, still the Cubs won. KB mashed another homer. Q looked good although was left in too long. Chatwood came up huge in a high leverage situation. There are so many positives to the Cubs right now but a glaring hole is their RISP.

Eventually the Brewers negative run differential caught up to them. I hope the Cubs RISP situation doesn't catch up them. Monday is an off day and then we are back at it, go Cubs!


Cubs Games Watched: 5.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 14.5
BCB'd It: 6.0

Game 25- Saturday Night Smackdown

After a rather disappointing loss to the D-backs the Cubs were looking for a bounce back and all it took was a third inning where the Cubs exploded for 5 runs.

That inning had everything. A balk leading to a run, a double leading to more runs and a Bote home run leading to, you guessed it, more runs.

Yu was Yu, walking a few guys but also striking out the side. He is the ultimate Rorschach Test for Cubs fans.

Bote goes deep again and has been hitting on a tear ever since coming back from the birth of his recent child and the Cubs go up 7-0 in the fifth. Rizzo even gets into the action hitting a HR which made the score 8-1, the Cubs continued to put the hurt on the Diamondbacks.

In fact Rizzo had 3 extra base hits in just this one game. The Cubs just looked good in all elements of the game, no surprise they won.

The Meatloaf Game Tomorrow!

Cubs Games Watched: 5.0
Cubs Games Listened To: 14.0
Gave Up, BCB: 6.0

Game 24- What Do You Do About A Problem Like Kyle

Al over at BCB brought up an interesting suggestion. Given that Kyle Hendricks is absolutely terrible in the first inning of games over the last two years, should the Cubs put out an opener (a pitcher who pitches the first few innings making way for the starter to go 5 or so)?

https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/27/18519599/cubs-diamondbacks-recap-kyle-hendricks-javier-baez-mlb-scores

On the one hand, once you go this direction, you may be permanently altering the confidence level of Kyle so if he goes back to starting the first inning as a regular starter it may make things even worse. On the other hand, there clearly is a mental block here and the Cubs need to win games (back to .500 after climbing all the way up from the basement). Complicating this is the Hendricks JUST signed an extension going into 2024.

Given all this, I say, stay the course, don't add in an opener at this point. After all, I don't trust the Pen enough to have a good opener anyway plus Kyle is around for awhile may as well try to make it work if at all possible.

What IS working is another Baez homerun. Selfishly, this continues to justify my recent purchase of a Javy jersey and now I am just on pins and needles wondering whether he and Theo can work out an extension.

I also over the moon that Bryant hit a home run in this game. On game one, I infamously said Bryant and Baez will be the new Bash Brothers and while it hasn't quite worked out that way so far, Bryant has the talent to be better than he and to be one of the best players in the league. I am rooting for him hard in order to get back to that level.

When the Cubs lose a game 8-3 there isn't too much to be said and one hopes the Cubs can come back on Saturday and Sunday and take the meatloaf. With Darvish going on Saturday, anything is possible (in the worst possible way) so we will see!

Cubs Games Watched: 5.0
Cubs Games Listened To: 13.0
BCB'd it: 6.0

Game 23- The Offense Putters Out

It was inevitable that the offense couldn't keep up its sustained (and clutch!) performances over 162 games and last night's game was example 1A of the Cubs struggling uphill to score any runs. The fact that they left so many runners in scoring position and still only lost the game by 1 is a testament to the pitching staff.

Lester looked good and the pen only gave up a run. Almora's homer in the ninth made it close but as they say, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Here is the BCB recap: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/25/18516821/dodgers-2-cubs-1-grrrrrrrrrr

On a blog note, it is TOUGH to watch or listen to all the Cubs games in a season! So far I think I am doing a pretty decent job having watched/listened to a majority of the games but I can't help but notice the tracker has crept up in the "read a summary" category and I am now tied with games watched (the name of this blog). If current percentages keep up, I am projected to miss 32 games this season, hopefully I will keep it under 30.

Also hopefully you are enjoying my attempt to watch every game of the Cubs 2019 season and I am glad I have at least a few of you reading this madness. Onward to the next series!

Cubs Games Watched: 5.0
Cubs Games Listened To: 13.0
Gave Up BCB'd: 5.0

Game 22- JavWard

This was a really weird night.

Hamels looked good but gave up 3 runs and threw a ton of pitches.

For most of the game Kris Bryant, yes that KB, actually was the best hitter by far.

The Dodgers looked like the Dodgers of last year.

All of that changed with a 3 run homerun by Javy and ANOTHER 3 run homerun by Heyward. These two guys are mashing taters and carrying the Cubs on their prodigious backs.

And of COURSE the bullpen gave up more runs making this game uncomfortably close.

First it was the offense carrying the team. Then it was the starting pitching carrying the team. Now it is down to Javy and Jason carrying the team. I can't wait for this Dodgers series to be over with. Tomorrow the Cubs go for the sweep, break out the brooms.

Cubs Games Watched: 5.0
Cubs Games Listened To: 13.0
Gave Up, BCB'd it: 4.0

All pictures used here are for news and/or commentary purposes only. All copyright is owned by their respective owners. 

Game 21- ERA SCHMRA

Wow what an amazing run we are on with the starting pitching or what? Q goes 7 and only gives up a run, fantastic! And the bullpen only gave up a run, even better!

Baez is killing it on offense and Bryant (at least) is making plays on defense.

There were a few interesting articles that popped up after this game about where Russell fits into this team.

https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/24/18514182/addison-russell-return-cubs

https://www.cubsinsider.com/2019/04/24/will-cubs-really-activate-addison-russell-as-soon-as-suspension-ends/

First of all, he doesn't, he should've been cut last year and there should even BE a conversation about him. Aside from his limited trade bait value (keep him in AAA until someone bites), if Theo is actually thinking about replacing Descalso or Bote with this chump then I throw my hands up in frustration. If there is just the keep-him-to-trade-him machinations then fine but he shouldn't be around the Big League club at all.

The Cubs, always giving you a bit of clouds in the silver lining.

Still though, the team is officially over .500 and only a few back of the Cardinals. The Brew Crew's run differential has caught up to them and despite Yelich have fallen way off. If the Cubs keep trotting out lefties and beating up on the Dodgers, they could be in great shape for this weekend!

Watched Cubs Games: 4.5
Listened To Cubs Games: 12.5
Gave Up Read BCB: 4.0

Game 20- Hanging Tough

First of all, let's get this out of the way. Baez is having a HELL of year. Not only in this game where he hit a triple and was responsible for the only run in 8 innings but he was the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

Not only that but let's pull out for a second. He is hitting .302 with 6 home runs and 17 RBIs. It just isn't hits as Javy's OBP is .333

Even better is Chatwood having 6 shutout innings and then everyone was on pins and needles about what would happen with the bullpen. Predictably a winning score became a tied score with the 'Pen giving up a home run but Baez had a great heads up running and Bote was a hero again bringing the Cubs level again on the season.

Despite the terrible bullpen I am so glad to see the Cubs battle back and take the meatloaf. They gotta keep grinding and winning the grind and then we might actually be getting somewhere.

Cubs Games Watched: 4.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 11.5
Gave Up: 4.0

Game 19- Yu Killing Me

Well the Cubs fell back to Earth (and under .500) and Yu is killing me here with his pitching. I just have no words at this point. He lets up some runs and lost with a capital L. He is at best, the 5th best starter on this team and we are paying him the most (or close to the most).

As I was attending a wedding in Texas, I couldn't watch the game and was glad I didn't. Here, instead is the excellent MLB recap.

Cubs Games Watched: 4.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 11
Gave Up BCB: 3.5

Game 18- I Want A Shutout Too

Welp this is the second Cubs game I missed all season and it sounds like I missed a doozy.

Hendricks showed some pride and not wanting to be outclassed by Hamels and Q pitched a hell of a game. 11 strikeouts and no runs in 7 innings of work. Of course the bullpen wasn’t perfect with Brach giving up a bunch of hits and a run but who cares when your starter gives you such an awesome 7?

Bryant and Rizzo had a double and triple respectively although I am not ready to say they have turned a corner on their miserable season thus far.

Another game scoring 4+ runs and another great pitching performance. Ok plus they are .500 now, loving it!

BCB recap: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/19/18508330/cubs-diamondbacks-recap-kyle-hendricks-kris-bryant-mlb-scores

Cubs Games Watched: 4.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 11
BCB: 2.5

Game 17- Hamels World

It's Cole's world, we are just living in it. 3-0, 2.77 ERA. 23 strikeouts in 26 innings and a 0.80 WHIP. Forget Lester, please forget Darvish, Montgomery, give me a summary.

Hamels is killing it and on his back the Cubs are rising. 1 game below .500. He cant give 7 innings of shutout ball but boy if he even keep pitching 3/4's as good as this, the Cubs are going to win a lot of games.

It also doesn't hurt that the offense continues at its torrid pace. Cubs are currently 6th in runs scored. 3rd in OBP. 5th in team average.

All these statistics are great and the Cubs are doing much, much better.

I have nothing too much to add to this game, the Marlins just simply aren't competitive. I guess it's good that the Cubs won the series in a sweep because if they lost to THIS team, their season really is toast. Go Cubs, enjoy your rest day and we will see ya at Wrigley on Friday!

Cubs Games Watched: 4.5
Cubs Games Listened: 11
BCB: 1.5

Game 16- Shutoutsville

Q comes through, the pitching comes through, the hitting comes through. Everyone comes through against the Marlins.

First up, Jose Quintana pitched 7 scoreless innings (again), struck out a bunch of people (averaging 9 strikeouts per 7 innings), and is looking like a tough as nails pitcher, exactly what the Cubs need.

And what is this? The bullpen pitches 2 scoreless innings and ONLY gives up 1 walk? Certainly the horrid start from the bullpen couldn't be sustainable, they had to actually pitch well at some point and that point is now.

Let's talk about the offense. Sprinkling 4 runs over 9 innings is totally fine. It is gratifying to see that the Cubs can score in any inning. Heyward continues to look great, going 2 for 4 and keeping that average above 360. Baez went 3 for 4 but my poor guy KB went 0 fer 5.

I don't know what is up with KB. He is either not seeing the pitches or is guessing wrong on the pitches he sees. He is making solid contact occasionally but nothing is dropping. He currently sits at a .217 average and while there are many offensive metrics to judge his impact, you can't have metrics if you can't hit.

Thankfully with Baez, Contreras and Heyward, the Cubs are getting all the hitting they need.

The Cubs currently sit at 7-9 and are making up ground on the rest of the division but with Yelich and the Brewers playing lights out, they are still 4 games out of first. It is going to be a long way back to the mountaintop and first is getting to .500 (baby steps).

Cubs Games Watched: 4.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 10
Gave Up, BCB: 1.5

Game 15- Getting Healthy Against AAAA

I swear, it seems like the Marlins are fielding a JV team nowadays. Jeter et. al. havre traded away all their blue chip players and that's left is arguably worse than the Cubs. This the perfect time for the Cubs to get healthy in the wins column.

Right on cue the Cubs score 3 in the first. This is the biggest X factor for the Cubs early in the season. If the pitching lets them down early the the offense has to press just to square things up.

Not that Yu (the greatest enigma of our times) didn't try his best to give the game back to the Marlins. Gives up a run there, ends the inning with the bases loaded there. The box score will show that Darvish got the W and giving up 2 earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched but one couldn't help but think the wheels were coming off slowly but surely.

The stats say, a fine start. The sound says Maddon pulled him before any more damage could be done.

Luckily this offense could bail out any pitcher with Baez going off for 3 hits and 2 runs scored and Contreras getting yet ANOTHER homerun.

The Cubs move to 6-9 and aren't in the basement of the Central. A sweep here could get them sniffing .500 and wouldn't THAT be a miracle given the start they had?

Cubs Games Watched: 4.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 9
Gave Up, BCB: 1.5

Game 14- Dinking Doinking

It is only the first inning and Heyward makes a fantastic catch. The guy is just doing it in every aspect on the field and I couldn't be happier. Of course the graphic points point Jason has 5 gold gloves up to this point, something easy to forget with all of his hitting woes.

And just like that, the Angels get multiple hits and take a 3-0 lead. Much like hits were contagious for the Cubs the other night, hits are contagious for the Halos and the Cubs are incapable of getting anyone out until Javy turns two to end the hurt. Hendricks is a contact-type pitcher but the Halos were hitting em where they ain't this inning.

Does anyone in the MLB have more entertaining hits than Javy. Ball low, just throw your bat at it!

Javy gets another weirdo hit driving in a run and keeping the third inning alive.

The Cubs continue to chip away, eventually getting another run back in the 5th and then onto the bullpen. Yes Hendricks looked better than his other terrible starts but that is like saying Darvish looks better. He does but does he look great?

Brach loads the bases and is bailed out by Schwarber on a great play in the outfield but he walks Pujols to have the Angels up by 2.

Rosario walks a hitter, Angels up 3.

Webster gets a groundout, inning over. Yeesh. When the wheels fall off they fall off with this Pen.

The Cubs though kept scrapping. Looking down the barrel of another loss they kept dinking and plinking and got the score back to 6-5 in the 9th with Schwarber up and 2 outs. Schwarber worked the count to 3-2 and then there was a weird did he/didn't he on a check swing and that was it, Cubbies lose.

Even though its another loss, I am impressed by the fight in these Cubs. We might have a season yet.

Cubs Games Watched: 4.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 8
Bleed Cubbie Blue Recap: 1.5

Game 13- Solid Is Solid Does

Cubs getting out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning off of 2 home runs and a, GASP, KB hit? Solid.

Hamels pitching 8, EIGHT, innings and only giving up 1 earned run? Solid.

The bullpen giving up NO runs? Very Solid.

This game showed the power of the Cubs and why many preseason prognosticators picked them to be WS contenders. Hitting that will score 4+ runs a game. Pitching from the starters that will staunch the attack. The bullpen seems to have settled down some which makes the Cubs even that much more potent.

Also unheralded, the Cubs making less and less errors. It is almost like the first 10 games were an extended preseason which sucks because those games count but if that means the Cubs are turning a corner here then so be it.

Cubs Games Watched: 3.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 8
Bleed Cubbie Blue: 1.5

Game 12- Grinding It

The Cubs hitting is contagious. One hit begets another hit and so on. Was there anything more thrilling than seeing Hayward (much maligned Hayward who is having a career renaissance this season) chugging around 3rd and rumbling into home for the first run? Then to see "role players" getting hit after hit?

It goes to show you that if you keep putting wood on the ball, it eventually pays off. 3 true outcomes be damned!

Also, talking about helping your own cause. Q picked off Bell in the 4th and PLUS defended a great squeeze bunt play. Some of the best defense by a pitcher I have seen in awhile. AND he was the first starter this season to go into the 7th (a dubious stat but still).

The Cubs grinded hard on this game and it paid off. The take the meatloaf on the series, took the series and proved they could win a tight game. Not too bad!

Cubs Games Watched: 3.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 7.5
Bleed Cubbie Blue: 1.0

Game 11- Where Have Yu Gone, Darvish?

I don't know what of the following things is more depressing at this point:

1) The Cubs going down to an early deficit for the umpteenth time this season (3-0 after 3 this time)?

2) That Yu Darvish again looked, ok-ish? But in this league for his salary ok-ish isn't going to cut it. Oh, he is also 0-2 in 3 starts so far with a 7.50 ERA.

3) Or is it that Hayward is the best hitter on this team at this point? I mean, he should be and all but he is just MASHING it with a .371 average with 13 hits and 9 RBIs (I don't do advanced statistics here at Cubs Watch 19).

At least the bullpen isn't looking too shabby. The offense is looking great and getting contributions from unexpected sources but man the starting pitching, what to do with starting pitching.

Oh BTW, Lester is hurt and Chatwood is starting in his place. I am sure that will go well (what is the eyeroll emoji again)?

I want to be positive and I want every.single.Cubs.player to do well but this season has 500 written all over it unfortunately.

Watched Cubs Games: 2.5
Listened To Cubs Games: 7.5
Bleed Cubbie Blue Recapped it: 1.0

Game 10- Double Digit Delight

The only Cubs podcast I listen to is Ivy Envy. These guys have the right mix of fandom (passionate but not psychotic) that appeals to me and I listen to every episode they put out. Recently they bemoaned just wanting a normal game, a normal win. The Cubs winning 1-0, 3-1 etc.

I thought of them when the Cubs won this one 10-0 (yes again the Cubs scored at least 10 runs in a game) and was rueful that the Ivy Envy folks didn't get their "normal" game. However, maybe this is the new normal. Maybe the Cubs are going to win games 10 to something and lose them by over 5 runs.

Maybe KB will continue to look lost at the plate yet still rack up RBIs. Maybe Lester will continue to help his own cause. Maybe the difference between a Cubs loss and a win will be who makes the most errors (for the record, Pirates had 6 errors in this game).

The Indians scored 1009 runs in a season. Let's see if the Cubs can top that while going .500. Its going to be a weird season folks.

Watched Cubs Games: 2.5
Listened To Cubs Games: 6.5
Gave Up, Bleed Cubbie Blue: 1.0

Game 9- Right Back At It

Welp my streak of watching or listening to a Cubs game came to an end this Sunday. I had other obligations and could not listen to my MLB Radio subscription and the Cubs weren't on local cable (LA) so all I was left with was Bleed Cubbie Blue's summary:

https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/7/18299601/cubs-brewers-recap-kyle-hendricks-willson-contreras-mlb-scores

plus the always appreciated Condensed Game that MLB offers on YouTube:

Based on all of this recapping here is my hot taek. The Cubs pitching (Hendricks) let them down with Yelich bombing a 2 run homer, stop me if you heard this one, IN THE FIRST INNING. Sure the Cubs came back and "only" losing 4-2 but any MLB team being spotted a 2 run start is tough to surmount in event the best of times.

At this point, I would much rather take a 4-2 loss over a 8-10 or 13-10 type of loss but a loss is still a loss and the Cubs are staring down the barrel of a terrible March/April. Still, it is Spring and hope springs eternal and the Cubs start a homestand which hopefully rights the ship.

Watched Cubs Games: 2.5
Listened To Cubs Games: 5.5
Gave Up, Bleed Cubbie Blue: 1.0

Game 8- Its Not All Terrible

I mean of course the Cubs immediately went down 1-0 to the Brewers in the first inning with Hamels giving up a homerun to the VERY FIRST BATTER. I just don't even know what to say at this point. Hamels jersey number is 35. Will the Cubs only get 35 wins this season?

Amazingly, the Brewers pitching staff is as bad as the Cubs this day and Hayward hits a homer making it 2-1. I don't tend to do play-by-plays on this game summary but I find it interesting this is the first lead I can remember the Cubs having in weeks (note, the season is only one week old).

The game settles in to a back and forth with the Brewers hitting Hamels hard but with no break of the 2-2 deadlock. All of a sudden, the Cubs kept hitting and the pitching kept the Brewers at bay with Baez hitting a homer putting the Cubs up 5-2 and at the end of the 6th inning it was 7-2.

The callups from AAA were appropriately terrible but with Heyward leading the way with 2 HRs and 2 SBs (first time since 1906!) the Cubs put their foot on the pedal and won going away.

It wasn't perfect but after that last 6 game stretch, I will take it.

Watched Cubs Games: 2.5
Listened To Cubs Games: 5.5
Gave Up Bleed Cubbie Blue: 0

Game 7- Horseshoes and Hand-grenades

This team is so weird. After 3 innings they were down 8-0. They ended up losing 13-10.

This is the second time this season they have scored 10 runs and LOST. What in the ever loving heck is going on?

Quintana, who started the game, has a 10.29 ERA.
Edwards Jr. has an ERA of 32.40.
Cishek is another reliever with a double digit ERA also appeared in this game (10.13).

I mean, could I come out and pitch and not do any worse than what is going on with the three pitchers above? Also, Maddon ran out there Strop, Kintzler and Brach who also had their problems.

This team couldn't pitch its way out of a paper bag at this point. I really have nothing left at the end of this week. The Cubs could end up scoring 30 in this series and being swept. Such is the state of the Cubs.

Watched Cubs Games: 1.5
Listened To Cubs Games: 5.5
Gave Up, Bleed Cubbie Blue: 0

Game 6 - The Best Thing

The Cubs lost 9-4 with a garbage time 4 runs in the ninth inning. Darvish got the loss but wasn't the problem; 3 earned runs sure but the Cubs didn't hit and the bullpen gave up 6 earned runs.

No the bright side is listening to the amazing broadcasting team of Pat and Ron making me laugh, puzzle and continually engaged whereas if I was watching the game on TV I would have turned it off.

https://www.mlb.com/cubs/team/broadcasters

I grew up listening to baseball on the radio, especially listening to signals bouncing off the clouds from far away places at night. Pat and Ron bring me back to that time and while I will watch plenty of Cubs games this season, I really want to keep listening to the radio.

It is the only way to stomach this terrible season.

Watched Cubs Games: 1.5
Listened To Cubs Games: 4.5
Gave up and read Bleed Cubbie Blue: 0

Game 5- Not Enough

Lester gave the Cubs a chance. 6 innings, 2 earned runs, 7ks. Respectable.

The offense gave the team a chance with 4 runs. The current MLB median is 4.25 runs a game by the Twins. BTW, the Braves are currently 10th in the MLB with 4.75 runs a game.

The relief pitching did NOT give the Cubs a chance. Let's revisit the parade of horrors shall we?

Kintzler pitched 1 inning and looked great, a clean sheet. Fine, fine, wait where is he going????

Cishek comes in and can't get anyone out giving up 3 earned runs and taking the L. (ERA 16.50 BTW).

Then Rosario comes in and gives up ANOTHER earned run.

Brach wasn't any better. 1 hit plus 2 walks. Sure why not? At least he didn't give up a run.

Montgomery comes in to close out the side. Yeeeeeeeeeesh.

The Cubs can sign the David Botes of the world to all the extensions they want but if they aren't actively working RIGHT NOW to get this bullpen better, then this will be a lost season. KB and Baez are going to walk in free agency, Lester and Hendricks are going to age out and that is it.

Sure, are we 5 games into the season and I am pushing the panic button? Yes but c'mon what have we seen this season that doesn't lead to this very darkest of timelines?

Watched Cubs Games: 1.5
Listened To Cubs Games: 3.5
Ignored everything and read Bleed Cubbie Blue's recaps: 0

Game 4- Errorsvile

I mean, really. Really. The game couldn't have gone any worse than this. How many runs did Hendricks give up? Why that would 7 runs, 2 of them earned.

Gee that is a lot of unearned runs! How many errors did the Cubs make? 6 errors eh? It got so laughably bad that Pat (who is like listening to honeysuckle on the vine) went on for an inning and a half talking about the mysteries of cell phones locking and unlocking.

After I got home from work, I picked up ESPN's telecast to watch the rest of the debauchery. The fielding was atrocious. Atrocious! Still it's not like the pitching was looking that hot. Nothing was hot, the whole night was a waste.


Watched Cubs Games: 1.5
Listened To Cubs Games: 2.5
Ignored Everything and read Bleed Cubbie Blue's recap: 0