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
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