Two Tough Losses

After sweeping the Pirates over the weekend, the Cubs have lost two one-run games in a row to the Cardinals.  Both were tense, hard-fought matches that might have gone either way.  It is not as if the Cubs did not have a chance to win late in either game, but the fact is they did not come through late in the game with scoring chances and that proved to be the difference.

The Cubs are so deep in position players on the major and minor league rosters that it is easy to think that some of the key injuries they have suffered haven't affected their performance or record.  Sure, it is hard to imagine the loss of Schwarber, for example, has had much of an impact on their won and loss record simply because it is hard to imagine a team at this stage of the season having a better record.

But the more recent injuries have hurt a little more and their effect is evident in some of the more recent games against the tougher opponents, especially divisional rivals whose season is really on the line right now before the All-Star break.  Having Soler, Fowler, and LaStella on the DL has had an effect that is undeniable despite other players picking up the slack in an adequate fashion.

For example, playing Bryant in a corner outfield position is a mixed blessing.  In most cases, Baez plays third, which improves somewhat the infield defense.  However, Bryant, though a skilled athlete, is not an experienced outfielder.  He has made the basic plays and also some good plays, but on a couple of occasions he has thrown to the wrong base, at least once costing the Cubs a run.

The injuries to the aforementioned players have also left the bench pretty thin, especially as the Cubs have elected to go temporarily with thirteen pitchers.  In the last game, for example, the Cubs were forced to pinch hit Montero in a situation where normally LaStella  would have been used.  I guess my point is that it should be no surprise if the Cubs come up a little short in this stretch in games they would ordinarily win.

In terms of roster moves, the Cubs put Clayton Richard on the DL with a blister issue.  Richard has been pretty disappointing this season and one wonders if his days in Chicago are numbered.  His replacement, Geraldo Conception, looked pretty good in his major league debut Tuesday night.  The Warren move I can understand, as the Cubs need to get him right and stretched out for the run of makeup games coming up in the near future.

Can't figure the Patton move, though.  Patton has always looked good at AAA, only to disappoint at the ML level.  I may be wrong, but he seems like a guy they are only going to use if they have a five run lead or are five runs behind.  Carrying three catchers and thirteen pitchers means you have only two position players on the bench, which doesn't allow for a lot of late inning strategy.