The Cubs are 12-3 since the All-Star Game and back in first place. I feel pretty good about their chances right now. The series with Milwaukee has been unexpectedly tight, however. The Cubs game after the winning 11 of 13 and the Brewers were headed in almost the exactly opposite direction.
These games, though, have been decided by one run in each case with identical scores, 2-1. The pitching has been terrific on both sides with the exception of Milwaukee's Saturday night starter Guerra, who was just awful. The Cubs should have put him away early on. Speaking of Saturday's games, both managers acted as if they were playing the World Series, pulling starters early, multiple pitching changes in the same inning, etc. The Cubs did manage to come back in the second game on Heyward's home run, but 17 strikeouts is just too much. Baez, in particular, is out of control. I saw somewhere where he has swung and missed a greater percentage of down and away sliders this year than in his rookie season.
I would imagine if they were going to trade anyone on the 25 man roster, Baez would be the guy, but Maddon says that won't happen, that if they make a deal it will involve minor leaguers. I don't expect any more blockbusters in any case, maybe a backup catcher to let Caratini develop more in the minor leagues and provide veteran support for Contreras. Maybe also a reliever, but there too they seem set. The weak link in the bullpen is Grimm. The weak link in the starting rotation is Lackey, as Hendricks seems to be back in form since coming off the DL and Arrieta is much improved.
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