Vazquez, PCA Streak Over, Big Day on Tap, Lopez’s Absurd Inning, Hodge and Pearson, and Other Cubs Bullets
The Cubs can pull off a sweep today, which would not entirely counteract the sweep they suffered in Cleveland – because the Cubs needed sweeps ANYWAY even before that series happened – but it’d be a heckuva start. You could mentally conceive of it as a 1-2 series loss in Cleveland and then a 2-1 series win against the Blue Jays, which, given where the Cubs are, would’ve been a “disappointing” outcome, but it wouldn’t have been a disaster. Today is huge, though, and the Cubs will have to do it despite a taxed bullpen.
When Jorge Lopez came in for the two-run save yesterday instead of Hector Neris, I know 99.9% of Cubs fans were thinking two things: 1.) Oh thank goodness, and 2.) oh please don’t blow this and suggest more Neris usage is justified (because Neris was available and Counsell instead chose to go with Lopez). Then the first dude Lopez faced hit a homer, and the dread crept in ….
Then Lopez struck out the next three batters on just 11 pitches, and the Blue Jays looked absolutely humbled and befuddled in the process:
I like how Matt Clapp described it: “Jorge Lopez with the greatest inning that featured a home run that you could ever have.” Yup. That’s exactly it. Lopez, after the homer, looked as nasty as I’ve seen any Cubs pitcher look this year. Even *HE* hasn’t looked *THAT* nasty, as he’d mostly been just getting an obscene volume of ground balls to have his success.
I know it’s dangerous to want the Cubs to re-sign a reclamation project on such a small sample, but, on the other hand, Lopez (1) has always had premium stuff that teams kept trying to get out of him, and (2) has had SOME very significant success before. Maybe the Cubs – especially after taking him on following what happened with the Mets – are just the right organization for him to flourish? Not that you’d expect him to take a cheapy deal to stay with them after the season, but maybe there are some conversations that can be had before the offseason even arrives?
Speaking of reclamation relievers maybe returning next season, Nate Pearson (almost certainly returning via arbitration) threw two scoreless innings in the win, and although he walked two, one of those should’ve been a very-easy-to-call strikeout. He has a 2.89 ERA so far in his time with the Cubs (9.1 innings).
OK, one last one on the bullpen performance – Porter Hodge was excellent again overall. Yes, he still has some command to work on if he’s going to become truly elite, but it’s clear he has the pitches for it. Guys just can’t hit him.
Given that heavy bullpen usage yesterday, the bullpen is probably going to be very thin today. Hopefully Shōta Imanaga can go deep. Craig Counsell on the decision to pull Justin Steele due to the rain, the bullpen’s performance, and what it’ll mean:
On the flip side, the Blue Jays decided not to pull Chris Bassitt early yesterday, so they should have a very well-rested bullpen. And the guy they’re starting today, swing man Bowden Francis, has actually thrown back-to-back great starts coming into this one. Even with Shōta on the mound, this won’t be an easy one.
Sadly, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s stolen base streak ended at 23 yesterday with his first official caught stealing. It particularly sucks because it wasn’t REALLY a caught stealing: it was a bizarre squeeze attempt while he was on third base, with Ian Happ(?) whiffing on a bunt and PCA then getting picked off third. I petition the league to change the scoring on it! Somehow!
I love this list:
Utility man Luis Vazquez missed a month with an undisclosed injury, and he has three homers, a double, and a single in three games since returning.
I’m sure you’ve seen the Caleb Williams play a million times by now, but just in case you hadn’t seen this angle, it really underscores just how utterly absurd it was:
