The Cubs were fortunate to get rained out last night even though it entails playing a double-header today. Apparently, they got into Denver at 5 AM after an excruciating 18 inning loss to the Yankees, so things were unlikely to go well for them that night.
About the Cubs woes, everyone talks about pitching and bullpen issues. We discussed some of this is earlier blog posts. Actually, after some early season issues, the bullpen has done pretty well despite the necessity of overuse. The starters continue to be a problem. Really going back to the tail end of last season, the only absolutely reliable starters have been Lester and Hendricks. Arrieta has performed well every other start on the whole. It may be presumed he will eventually achieve the consistency he has shown in the past. As for Lackey, I'm not convinced. Lets face it, the guy is getting old and there may not be much left in the tank. As for Anderson, well, that has been a disaster. Maybe his replacement, likely Montgomery or Butler, can correct this issue. Otherwise the team is going to have to make a trade at the deadline, potentially giving up a talented farmhand.
One of the real problems most of the press hasn't dwelt upon is the hitting. They are still scoring runs at a pretty high average, but the real concern I have is they are just not grinding out at-bats and building innings as they did last season. Maybe it is the weather, but too many of the stars have been hot and cold, pretty much everyone except Bryant and Heyward among the regulars. Oddly enough, many of the substitutes have contributed more consistently, Jay, Almora, Montero.
Perhaps warmer weather will provide an upswing, but I think a real change of approach is needed, a return to the basics that made them such a great team in the past. Maddon might want to rethink that batting order as well. I've always thought Schwarber was not the best choice for leadoff hitter. He did OK early in the season, but people forget that even though his debut seasons have been spectacular, he still has only about three or four months of major league experience. The Cubs clearly miss Fowler in that spot. Maybe they should try Heyward, who has batted first before.
Some of these issues were prominently displayed in the 18 inning loss. The Cubs were swinging for the fences all night long. The one inning where they payed attention, the ninth, they tied the game with three runs against Chapman. After that, they had many chances in extra innings, but they came up short, often because they had to use a pitcher to pinch hit because they had no position players. They should think about using the additional double header callup for a hitter today.
Looking at today's lineup, it looks like Schwarber is back batting first. Some subs are out there at least for Game 1, Montero, LaStella, Almora. I am not the first to note this, but Baez should never bat in front of the pitcher. It just changes his whole psychology. Better ninth or sixth.
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