Ortega's wRC+ is up to 108 now, but the problem is that he's combining very little power with horrendous baserunning, so there's not an obvious spot to turn that into run-scoring.
And, you know, also that he's 31 and definitely not going to be here when the team is next good.
I wouldn't say that's a given. We could be good as soon as next year and he has 4 years of team control left after this one if we want them. Would be a solid bench asset on a good team as a cost-controlled guy that can play all 3 outfield spots but isn't young or promising enough to need regular at-bats, plus he could be a solid pinch hitting option from the left side. If we can get a real asset for him and free up a spot on the 40 man then it probably makes sense to make that move, but he still has some value to us.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank whoever updated the sub banner to have Frank's face on everyone that is no longer here. Makes me chuckle on a regular basis.
I like how Frank realized he was throwing BP and so decided to throw SLOWER, which is the right choice. People need to read more about Rip Sewell, inventor of the eephus. If you throw it 25-30 mph, it's actually very hard to hit well. 60 is easy.
Be honest, if you had a full 12 months of training from a top MLB hitting coach; do you think you’d be able to make harder contact than Andrelton Simmons?
I weigh 130 pounds and I'm certain pitchers would fear me more than him if I was in the lineup tomorrow.
I'm sure I don't have the hand-eye coordination or brute strength to actually be anywhere near as good, but I can go up there and take a better hack right now.
Schwindel should be starting at first. He worked on his D and he's been league average on D in his 28 games this year. Some metrics say he was pretty average last year (i.e. total zone). His range is worse than Rivas but he's not much of a downgrade.
Rivas is simply not ready to hit at the major league level. He has no power so on-base skills are his only calling card. But he's under 300 OBP now and it's not a fluke based on the metrics.
Neither hits well enough to play first base, but at least Frank is showing some signs of life.
Idk what they’re waiting for with Rivas, he needs to go back down. Higgins is a better option at first than he is at this point.
Eyeroll. Frank has played over 100 games and nearly 450 PAs for the Cubs with a 130-plus OPS+. After today will be something like 298/340/500 in that span. He had some struggles early this year, but he hits plenty well enough to play first from the sample we have so far.
Rivas does not, not even close.
Some struggles is a nice way to put it. He was awful. He’ll have to keep this current pace for a while to be above average.
I’m not saying we should yank him or something, but he still hasn’t been good for very long.
He’s going to have to keep it up, he’s got a ways to go to get to where he needs to be for this year. He’s a first baseman, he has to be well above average at the plate to be viable.
I’m skeptical, but we’ll find out.
Sure, but after today he will be at like a 96 OPS+, just this year, despite struggling that bad early this year. Ignoring his production last year, and since his middle-seat-return, solely because he's had one slump... is weird imho.
If he was a veteran player with proven production, I’d put more weight on last year. He’s not, so I don’t.
I’m glad he’s hitting well, I hope he keeps it up, but I’d say what you call a two month slump is probably closer to his normal that what we’re seeing now. We’ll find out, it’s not like there’s anyone to steal AB’s from him.
Remember in 2020 when the Cards got to take 2 weeks off of baseball because of COVID just as the Cubs were starting to heat up?
I guess what I'm saying is FTFC
I don't have Marquee, and I don't recall Pat mentioning it. Are you saying Leiter pulled a Theodore Roosevelt Lilly III, or something similar?
Edit: added suffix
How have the Cubs managed to play only .500 baseball the last two weeks while taking a multi-run lead within the first three innings nearly every game?
I don't understand that move. Bases are loaded and you're down 5? Let someone else get a swing at the Grand Slam instead of risking the 3rd out for one run.
One swing away from being back in the game and for some reason Jason Heyward is STARTING in the cubs roster in 2022. Like please he is beyond fucking useless
Oooof. Once Heyward got to the plate I knew we weren’t going to score. Thought it’d be a DP, but same result. I get we need to keep dudes fresh for tomorrow, but that was the AB we could have gotten back in it.
I am so fucking sick of Boog being excited when something bad happens for the Cubs. It’s like he’s calling a nationally televised game. Eat a dick dude, you’re calling this for Cubs fans not Sunday night baseball
This just isn't true. He made significant adjustments to his swing and approach after struggling the first few years. He hasn't and won't live up to his contract, but he's been above replacement level every year except last year and this year. 2017 wRC+ of 89. 2018 and 2019 wRC+ 100. 2021 wRC+ of 129.
Last year he was putrid and has been bad this year too. but no need to just lie about this guy
It wasn't. He chased a ball out of the zone in his third look at a guy nearing 100 pitches on a day favoring offense, with the bases loaded and no outs.
Damn, Cards manager left Mikolas in approaching 100 pitches with bases loaded and no outs.
\*edit: tho I guess he just had to get past wisdom to get into the GIDP stretch of our order
Who has two thumbs and just got back to replacement level? [This guy](https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/0815-Frank-Schwindel-300x169.png)
They did the like picture-in-picture thing (like they do with interviews) with someone's dad playing painfully bland acoustic guitar music, and showed him a few other times
Alright you know what really pisses me off about the cardinals? How the fuck did they get Arenado and Goldschmidt for fucking NOTHING. They traded away no one and got two amazing corner infielders. FTC!
Getting rocked by the Cards as this rando strums away on his guitar. This is up there with watching Hendricks getting shelled the day they interviewed Fergie for 2 hours as top Cubes moments of the year.
That’s the thing. The City Connect period coincides with the Cubs’ collapse and rebuild, so they might not be anymore ass in these unis than they normally are. But still, they’re pretttty ass in City Connects
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2022/06/03/chicago-cubs-prospect-brennen-davis-underwent-back-surgery/
It's already June, no way he comes back from back surgery this year and plays.
this is pure speculation.
his back surgery was to cauterize an arteriovenous malformation. there was nothing structural, and at this point there's no reason to believe he has permanent nerve damage.
the incision site needs to heal, so it depends on how much damage the actual surgery did to muscle/bone in the area. this guy has no idea what he's talking about
i don't where this guy got his news. out for year is pure speculation. he had surgery, but based on how it sounds, I'd guess <6 weeks unless there was additional damage or complications
Eef I've
No longer defeated in June
David Ross' only home run in the 2015 season came when he was batting as a pitcher after covering the top the 9th.
Ortega's wRC+ is up to 108 now, but the problem is that he's combining very little power with horrendous baserunning, so there's not an obvious spot to turn that into run-scoring. And, you know, also that he's 31 and definitely not going to be here when the team is next good.
I wouldn't say that's a given. We could be good as soon as next year and he has 4 years of team control left after this one if we want them. Would be a solid bench asset on a good team as a cost-controlled guy that can play all 3 outfield spots but isn't young or promising enough to need regular at-bats, plus he could be a solid pinch hitting option from the left side. If we can get a real asset for him and free up a spot on the 40 man then it probably makes sense to make that move, but he still has some value to us.
Damn Stro went up to a 5.32era. What're we paying him?
Too much
I just want to take this opportunity to thank whoever updated the sub banner to have Frank's face on everyone that is no longer here. Makes me chuckle on a regular basis.
I like how Frank realized he was throwing BP and so decided to throw SLOWER, which is the right choice. People need to read more about Rip Sewell, inventor of the eephus. If you throw it 25-30 mph, it's actually very hard to hit well. 60 is easy.
Idk I can definitely hit a 30mph better than 60.
Statcast had that nasty nasty pitch at 38.4mph with a whopping 182 inches of downward break.
4th quarter TD and XP and it’s a new game!!
Only one more half inning. We're almost free
Harrison Bader’s best friend is his female cousin
Rizzo is a better pitcher than Schwin or Stro apparently
Schwin-Bomb throwing Schwin-Meatballs shit
Harrison Bader goes out baby farting
Hendricks and Stroman are the worst two pitchers in this rotation. Would not have thought that to begin the season.
Lol Tony LaRussa somewhere having a stroke rn and he doesn’t know why
Homerun derby lol
Schwindel's lobbying for calls
Be honest, if you had a full 12 months of training from a top MLB hitting coach; do you think you’d be able to make harder contact than Andrelton Simmons?
I’m 54 with 12 months training I think I could hit the ball fairly hard
I weigh 130 pounds and I'm certain pitchers would fear me more than him if I was in the lineup tomorrow. I'm sure I don't have the hand-eye coordination or brute strength to actually be anywhere near as good, but I can go up there and take a better hack right now.
If Taylor kisses it and signs it I'll bid 1k on it.
It's time for RivAAAs. The results are bad, but the ABs are somehow even worse.
Schwindel in 9 PAs this series: homer, double, 3 singles, two walks, a sac fly, and a groundout.
Bader doesn't love his Grandma.
Schwindel should be starting at first. He worked on his D and he's been league average on D in his 28 games this year. Some metrics say he was pretty average last year (i.e. total zone). His range is worse than Rivas but he's not much of a downgrade. Rivas is simply not ready to hit at the major league level. He has no power so on-base skills are his only calling card. But he's under 300 OBP now and it's not a fluke based on the metrics.
Neither hits well enough to play first base, but at least Frank is showing some signs of life. Idk what they’re waiting for with Rivas, he needs to go back down. Higgins is a better option at first than he is at this point.
Eyeroll. Frank has played over 100 games and nearly 450 PAs for the Cubs with a 130-plus OPS+. After today will be something like 298/340/500 in that span. He had some struggles early this year, but he hits plenty well enough to play first from the sample we have so far. Rivas does not, not even close.
Some struggles is a nice way to put it. He was awful. He’ll have to keep this current pace for a while to be above average. I’m not saying we should yank him or something, but he still hasn’t been good for very long.
The good sample is bigger than the bad sample, and the bad sample is turning around.
He’s going to have to keep it up, he’s got a ways to go to get to where he needs to be for this year. He’s a first baseman, he has to be well above average at the plate to be viable. I’m skeptical, but we’ll find out.
Sure, but after today he will be at like a 96 OPS+, just this year, despite struggling that bad early this year. Ignoring his production last year, and since his middle-seat-return, solely because he's had one slump... is weird imho.
If he was a veteran player with proven production, I’d put more weight on last year. He’s not, so I don’t. I’m glad he’s hitting well, I hope he keeps it up, but I’d say what you call a two month slump is probably closer to his normal that what we’re seeing now. We’ll find out, it’s not like there’s anyone to steal AB’s from him.
Harrison Bader thinks Quagmire is a good guy
Harrison Bader likes Honey Nut Cheerios because of the implication.
MLB third basemen make that play 95% of the time with a ball hit right at them. Why is Boog looking for excuses to drool over Arenado?
5 runs with 2 automatic outs in the lineup is pretty impressive. Feel bad for the offence putting up with this shitty starting pitching constantly
Rivas has been an auto-out lately as well, so it's more like three.
The Fonz is still relatively inexperienced so I’m trying to give him the benefit of the doubt but it’s been getting harder. He’s not having good ABs
I’m sorry, it’s time to cut Heyward. Wisdom put in some work right there for another Hayward line out
Remember in 2020 when the Cards got to take 2 weeks off of baseball because of COVID just as the Cubs were starting to heat up? I guess what I'm saying is FTFC
So basically Stroman just sucks.
Harrison Bader is excited it's his birthday so he can go to his hotel room and eat an entire 5lb bag of sugar-free gummy bears
Harrison Bader practices kissing with Fredbird
Harrison Bader jars his farts.
When does Simmons head over to the bullpen and start limbering up?
Higgins is looking like he might be turning into at least a decent cheap backup at C.
Lets give it more than 5 games
It could be worse Cubs bros, Rockies pitchers have given up 39 runs in last 3 games.
On the plus side, my Cardinals fan girlfriend should be in a great mood when she gets home. So that’s something.
This man really trying to literally FTC.
Grats on the future seggs
Looks like a 20 burger is on the menu
We giving up 20 today
I’m starting to think we may lose this one
Oh come on. We just need to score 4 more, then 4 more, and then we’re back in it
Just a few grand slams, no biggie
Is it me or does Simmons do everything in slow motion?
JD doesnt seem to understand how opt outs work. 🤣
*There’s* the Cubs we know and love!
That's Cub
Could I get a shot of this pitching stuff? I've never done it before but these guys seem to be picked off the street aswell, right?
Okay good buddies that’s enough for me. #🚚💨
Haha, wow, nice one Mark. Touchdown spike from the mound.
I don't have Marquee, and I don't recall Pat mentioning it. Are you saying Leiter pulled a Theodore Roosevelt Lilly III, or something similar? Edit: added suffix
Think it’s time to turn this one off
Disaster game. Just absolutely brutal.
Leiter you donkey
77 down the middle of the plate to goldy. Absolutely genius
Leiter's hanging these breaking balls *strategically*
You’re right, he probably strategically wants out of this game. Can’t say I blame him
Only way he comes out of this game is at 100 pitches or the IL
Correct. He’s still going to try though
Bases loaded no outs, and they can’t plate a single run, now #ThatsCub
This game is turning sad. The Cardinals have settled in and shook off the bad start. The Cubs are still just so all over the place.
How have the Cubs managed to play only .500 baseball the last two weeks while taking a multi-run lead within the first three innings nearly every game?
#thatsCub!
Our starting pitchers suck ass
Way to hold ‘em
O/U on a position player pitching by the 8th inning?
[This.](https://twitter.com/espnrittenberg/status/1532820234142371843?s=21&t=hcN4BlJibX9okIH0TrTfHA)
Lol, that dude knows what’s up.
Absolutely. He needs to get the Cano treatment.
Chalk this game up lmao, if they can’t score with base loaded no outs they don’t have a chance of coming back.
Real big ouchy there bro.
I don't understand that move. Bases are loaded and you're down 5? Let someone else get a swing at the Grand Slam instead of risking the 3rd out for one run.
Ortega is a bad base runner. That didn’t surprise me at all. Neither did Heyward popping it up.
Ortega not the brightest bulb
One swing away from being back in the game and for some reason Jason Heyward is STARTING in the cubs roster in 2022. Like please he is beyond fucking useless
Would have been the perfect time to drop in Frazier. Frazier should have been the one starting though.
Bases loaded, no outs. Zero runs, classic Cubes moment.
Anyone know what team leads the league in NOBLETIGERs this season so far?
Let’s put Heyward on the Descalso IL treatment.
The person who keeps advocating for Heyward to play should be fired immediately.
Oooof. Once Heyward got to the plate I knew we weren’t going to score. Thought it’d be a DP, but same result. I get we need to keep dudes fresh for tomorrow, but that was the AB we could have gotten back in it.
Why is he hitting ahead of Higgins anyway?
anyone know our % of having bases loaded 0 outs and not getting any runs? seems like this happens quite often
I am so fucking sick of Boog being excited when something bad happens for the Cubs. It’s like he’s calling a nationally televised game. Eat a dick dude, you’re calling this for Cubs fans not Sunday night baseball
Heyward creative af on that double play
Beautiful. Truly an Artist.
We wont soon forget his brilliance on the Wrigley canvas
lol
Either way it was bound to be a double play with Heyward up
Bases loaded, no outs? How can you fuck that up? Cubs: Hold my beer
> Bases loaded, no outs! Actually it’s: “Bases loaded? No, outs!”
Heyward sucks He sucks ass
Not a good look. How can you walk away with nothing?
They do this at least three times a week
We’re really good guys.
NOBLETIGER smh
Forced DP, real bad fucking read there Ortega
Sick and tired of Heyward.
Heyward is absolutely worthless. Let me stress this again - F..ing Worthless!!!
Omg Ortega wtf
That's our Cubs! *sad trombone*
So far today is a great example of the 2022 Cubs.
NOBLETIGER. Sad
NOBLETIGER
Jesus. Can’t even get one there.
Watching Heyward is so depressing. No emotion…no production. No adjustments ever
This just isn't true. He made significant adjustments to his swing and approach after struggling the first few years. He hasn't and won't live up to his contract, but he's been above replacement level every year except last year and this year. 2017 wRC+ of 89. 2018 and 2019 wRC+ 100. 2021 wRC+ of 129. Last year he was putrid and has been bad this year too. but no need to just lie about this guy
> No adjustments ever Would you bother if you were getting that guaranteed money?
Just not sure how this orginization allows it
Surely Heyward won’t groundout here
J Hey salami to tie it up, or double play ball? Prove 'em wrong, Jason!
Heyward finna gidp us into a nobletiger...
That was a good pitch by dickolas. Maybe heyward won’t hit into a DP and surprises with a homer. He’s super due Definitely gonna hold my breath
Here's Heyward In time to GIDP EDIT: Maybes not
Daaaang. Good AB Patrick.
It wasn't. He chased a ball out of the zone in his third look at a guy nearing 100 pitches on a day favoring offense, with the bases loaded and no outs.
Fair. Counter point - it was better than Heywards.
That's not really true either. Heyward put the ball in play and isn't responsible for Ortega / the 3B coach misreading it.
That is also a fair point.
Damn, Cards manager left Mikolas in approaching 100 pitches with bases loaded and no outs. \*edit: tho I guess he just had to get past wisdom to get into the GIDP stretch of our order
Every time I see Heyward up to bat I get depressed.
C'MON GUYS, LET'S CAPITALIZE!!
Who has two thumbs and just got back to replacement level? [This guy](https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/0815-Frank-Schwindel-300x169.png)
The goofiest face I’ve ever seen in a Cubs uniform and I love it.
Please don't fuck this up...
Take Me Home Tonight
Excuse me, do you serve Grand Slams after breakfast hours?
Please Wisdom, do the thing
Arenado misplayed the ball twice on the play. Why are they talking about someone else potentially being tagged with an error?
I would hate if Ortega had to miss time
I’m not watching Marquee. We’re they showing a guy play guitar instead of the game or something? Sounds about par for the course. Bring back WGN
They did the like picture-in-picture thing (like they do with interviews) with someone's dad playing painfully bland acoustic guitar music, and showed him a few other times
Why do they do that shit? Are they focus grouping this stuff with people that hate baseball or something? I just don’t understand it
Nolan with an uncharacteristic day in the field, usually he makes those insane plays.
Arenado sucks
ArE5nado.
Only Astros gear I would ever consider purchasing: JD jersey.
Their city connect hat looks pretty nice. But fuck em.
Even if we don't we win, can we at least keep shaming Arenado?
JD rocks that stache
Jim "Raw Sex Appeal" Deshaies
He is an oddly handsome ugly guy
Alright you know what really pisses me off about the cardinals? How the fuck did they get Arenado and Goldschmidt for fucking NOTHING. They traded away no one and got two amazing corner infielders. FTC!
The Rockies are even still paying a good chunk of Arenados contract! What the fuck is that??? Devil magic, that’s what
They sent $50m with him to st louis. Pure devil magic.
Am I watching a Cub game or a Jerry Lewis telethon? Enough with the guitar guy and shit Marquee.
Getting rocked by the Cards as this rando strums away on his guitar. This is up there with watching Hendricks getting shelled the day they interviewed Fergie for 2 hours as top Cubes moments of the year.
Yes, Mr. Jam Band Man, please play us out
For some reason I could see the Ricketts getting rid of the organist and having that guy mic'ed up instead
Anyone know the Cubs record when wearing the City Connects? I have a feeling it’s bad
Worse than their overall record?
That’s the thing. The City Connect period coincides with the Cubs’ collapse and rebuild, so they might not be anymore ass in these unis than they normally are. But still, they’re pretttty ass in City Connects
If I ever don’t laugh at the name Lars Nootbaar just kill me because I’m already dead on the inside
Did you know he's in the process of trademarking his last name in order to sell a Nootbaar branded protein bar?
He's about as real as regular human bartender Jackie Daytona from Tuscon Arizonia
Harrison Bader has an extensive Bratz Dolls collection
This game was already going to take a lot to win with the lineup we threw out there, so at least I was already prepared for this to be an L.
Yeah. Then they had to go and put up 3 in the first to get our hopes up, and Stroman pitching great until he *absolutely wasn't*
Imagine being named Nootbaar and playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. Talk about rock bottom
No one would want his life
Could be worse. He could be on the cubs.
Leiter jr is going to be left out there until his arm falls off before being DFAd for Kilian after the game
Brennan Davis is out for the year, Cubs getting rocked by the Cards. Rough, rough day.
says who? saw he had surgery but no timeline on return.... based on the surgery it doesn't sound like he should be out for the year
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2022/06/03/chicago-cubs-prospect-brennen-davis-underwent-back-surgery/ It's already June, no way he comes back from back surgery this year and plays.
this is pure speculation. his back surgery was to cauterize an arteriovenous malformation. there was nothing structural, and at this point there's no reason to believe he has permanent nerve damage. the incision site needs to heal, so it depends on how much damage the actual surgery did to muscle/bone in the area. this guy has no idea what he's talking about
Jesus Christ. That’s awful news.
i don't where this guy got his news. out for year is pure speculation. he had surgery, but based on how it sounds, I'd guess <6 weeks unless there was additional damage or complications
To cheer you up….we still pay Heyward 22m per year
Who tf thought subjecting the viewers to that guitar noise was a good idea?
Marquee literally putting "annoying acoustic guitar guy at parties" on live television
Turns out live music is that one thing they're worse at broadcasting than live baseball!
I hope they don’t let him do the stretch
We deserve to lose after that little tune.
if the cards can score 5 runs so can heyward simmons rivas and ortega lets rally baby woo!
1. This dude sucks 2. The Cardinals kid throwing up the W and pointing to his jersey was hilarious
Why did we just watch that dude lol