Crosstown Series

The Cubs won only one game of the three game set with the White Sox, although they should have won the first game as well.  Five double plays in that game did not help.  Castro, incidentally, has become a double play machine.

Lester continues to disappoint.  Hendricks and Arrieta continue to impress.  Arrieta is undoubtedly the team ace right now and would be the choice to pitch should the Cubs wind up in a one-game wild card playoff.  Hammel looks like he is OK and will not have to visit the DL.  I would like to see the Cubs take a shot at a legitimate starting pitcher at the deadline, but the reality is they can likely make the playoffs without one.  I still think they are not going to risk trading a big chip if they can avoid it.

Of more concern is the hitting.  The absence of Soler clearly hurt them, but, although Soler is having good at-bats since his return, the team is still not scoring runs.  This is very frustrating, as the pitching, even with all the flux at the fifth starter slot, has been exceptionally good.  Maddon is right in describing them as a swing-and-miss team.  They are grinding out at-bats and getting pitch counts up, but they are still striking out too often.

I haven't seen anything definitive on Ross or Montero, both of whom are considered day-to-day.  I'm assuming that if Montero does not have to go on the DL, the team will continue with Teagarden as the backup until Ross returns.  If Montero is disabled, the Cubs are in big trouble even if Ross returns.  They might be thinking of bringing up Schwarber in that eventuality.  Schwarber can probably give a pretty good accounting of himself as a hitter, but he will be challenged defensively and as a handler of pitchers.

The most pressing need the Cubs have right now is to start scoring some runs.  Looking at their lineup, aside from inexperience, the weakest spot is shortstop where Castro is not producing at all.  Castro's performance is another reason why the Cubs are unlikely to be all-in for a proven starter at the trade deadline unless they have really given up entirely on Baez as a major league hitter.

The most likely moves might just be strengthening the bench, which is really not much to write home about now and is costing them runs when they have to pinch hit early.  To do this, I rather think they need to move Jackson even if they have to pay most of his salary.  Lets face it, they only use this guy when the game is lost, so what good is he really doing anyone.  That actually frees up a bench spot, so the Cubs could pick up a veteran outfield bat, preferably a left-handed hitter, and bring up somebody from AAA, maybe even Baez for a shot when he is available, sending Baxter back to the minors in the process.