Game 37- Con-Trer-As

Pat on the Cubs radio broadcast has a very unique way of pronouncing Willson Contreras' name but as my dad used to say, I don't care what you call me, just don't call me late to diner.

House duties called today so I couldn't watch or listen to the game. Based on Cubs Insider's recap though it was a real pitcher's duel.

https://www.cubsinsider.com/2019/05/11/chicago-cubs-score-and-recap-5-11-19-cubs-2-brewers-1-f-15-willson-contreras-walks-off-marathon-game/

Hamels only let one run score. Chatwood pitched great in relief. Almora and Bryant got some hits but overall it comes down to the Cubs MVP Con-trer-as!

This guy was on fire during Spring Training and is keeping up the tempo during the regular season. There are burnout concerns as his production fell off mightily in the second half of 2018 and the team needs great performances in October, not now. That being said, I think Maddon has been swapping him with Caratini (before he got hurt) and Davis pretty well so far.

What I wouldn't mind seeing is Amaya start to get some big league reps. Of course that would mean rejiggering the 40 man which the Cubs aren't going to do so this remains a 2020 dream at the earliest. In any event Contreras (however you pronounce his name) is the best catcher in the league and will be a certain All-Star if this keeps up!

Cubs Games Watched: 7.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 21
Cubs Games Read About: 8.5

Game 31- Volleyball Hijinks

I think we are getting to the point where Contreras is getting into Mike Piazza territory. Great bat (home run in the second), very good offense (even throwing out an attempted steal!) and overall one of the true leaders on this team. Wilson is making an early All-Star case for sure.

The Cubs also looked great on defense, Zobrist had two great defensive plays and Baez was doing Baez things on sharply hit ground balls. Bote also had some great plays as well (Addison who?) and the Cubs really had the diamond on lockdown.

Q looked good as usual and Kintzler thankfully got out of a jam.

The Cubs kept dinking and dunking hits coupled with aggressive base running and bim bam boom the Cubs won 13-5. It didn't feel like a wipeout quite like the score indicated until KB stepped up and hit his grand slam but it was a great win nonetheless.

The Cubs have now come all the way back and are top of the division. Crazy times.

Cubs Games Watched: 7.5
Cubs Games Listened To: 17.5
Gave Up, BCB: 6

Spring Training Game 11

I mean, just when you think the Cubs are starting to put together some mojo, they have another meltdown losing 9-2 to the Angels.

The game did feature one of my favorite things, defensive incompetence leading to an inside the park home run for Contreras.

The rest of the game was downhill in some many categories. Zobrist, Bryant, Heyward Happ and Bote went a combined 0-14 and Hendricks gave up 2 earned runs.

An interesting fact for this Spring Training is that when the Cubs have lost a game, they have lost by the average score of 8-3. Of course, as I mentioned yesterday when they have won, they have won big. Do these crazy swings mean anything? Probably not although I wish I could see the Cubs try to close the gap in these blowouts but in reality, these games don't count so I am not going to get too worked up over it.

Spring Training Game 5

The Texas Rangers play at Surprise Stadium, a baseball stadium that seats over 10,000 people! Sloan Park, home of the Cubs, can seat 15,000. These numbers are just crazy to me but speak to baseball's enduring popularity that for one month out of the year there will be 10-15,000 people watching a baseball game that doesn't really matter.

In any event, the Cubs traveled to Surprise to play the Rangers. How did they fare?

Looking at this lineup, I was most intrigued how Happ and Bote would make out, considering their quiet-ish Spring so far and of course, how Hamels looked.

Cole was an absolute revelation last year and singlehandedly kept the pitching staff afloat after being traded from the Rangers. Sure his final record was 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA but he was crucial I tells ya.

Hamels picked up where he left off pitching 2 innings of shutout baseball scattering 2 hits. Sure is he 35 years old and just one of several aging pitchers on this staff? Yes but I think he is going to be very solid going forward.

Happ once again did next to nothing in this game going 0-3 but Bote had his breakout game, going 2-3 with 2 runs scored. And yes Contreras had a great game with a homer and other Cubs played well in the 9-5 win but I am intrigued by Bote who had a great season last year and seems to be a jack of all trades on the field (something very valuable in Maddon's defensive schemes).

In any event, another day, another win and the Cubs offense seems to be alive this preseason. Whether that translates into the regular season, we will see. 

Spring Training Games 2-3

Whew, only 3 days into spring training and already 2 games behind! Life comes at you pretty fast as F. Bueller used to say so let's dig right into this!

Game 2 vs. San Fran

While there are a few minor leaguers in this lineup, this game definitely has more of the major league team seeing action today than game 1. The less said about Russell the better. For me it is all about Happ and Bote, two key role players I think for this season and seasons to come (unless Theo trades em). Do how did it turn out?

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-giants/2019/02/24/566453/final/video

Well, another day another win!  Chatwood improbably picks up the W (pitching 2 innings) which the Cubs have to be happy with. The more arms they can throw at opposing teams this year with good results, the better for the team, they need to take some of the pressure off the offense.

It is tough to read much into any spring training game but it is good to see Almora, Rizzo and Schwaber picking up RBIs.

Game 3 (Split Squad) vs. Dodgers/Padres:

The Cubs got their heads bashed in by the Dodgers (11-2!) and salvaged some dignity with a win over the Padres (6-4).

Bergman and Clarkin got hit hard and often giving up 3 runs each. The fun thing about the box score for the Dodgers game? 3, yes 3 Cubs pitches had a ERA of 13.50 after the game, so good!

Lester looked good in his side of the split with 3 Ks and my boy KB scored a run.

Contreras had 3 RBIs which is awesome. Word on the street from Ivy Envy was that he ran out of gas last season (which seems plausible looking at his All Star game splits) and man, catcher is a tough position to play. Hopefully he has enough gas in the tank come September this year.

 I also can't wait to see what Amaya brings to the table. He is only 20 but could be bringing a lot to the table in a year or 2.

Ok that's it for the night, more soon as the games keep on coming !