Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Season Thread Vol: (17-17)

[CP1708]

Really, really nice win tonight.

Starting pitching the last 3 days has been fantastic.

Rizzo with a walk, HBP, and single, his OBP up over .450

Castro another clutch hit late.


My one gripe. Soler. My God. 0-4, 2K's and 2 DP's. :x Even worse, the K in the 9th, not a single strike thrown. He was just flailing away, even tho he held all the cards. We need he and Baez to be a part of this, but they MUST learn discipline. They're 22-23, they'll learn in time, but tonight could have been a huge moment for Soler's growth.

Nice series win, but we gotta be greedy. Need to try for the sweep tomorrow. Hope Travis Wood can keep the streak goin.

 

[sportsjunkie]

Soler strike out again today. 50th strike out on the season. He lead the majors. Hopefully he gets better soon.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Soler is so aggressive he's got a good eye, he's just too aggressive. Needs to be selective and patient. So talented.

 

[CP1708]

He also HATES cold weather. Much better in warm temps.

 

[CP1708]

Best Cubs series in I don't know how many years.

4 game sweep of a first place team, done with both pitching, and hitting. Starters, pen, bench, late hitting, early hitting, power, speed, walks. OUTSTANDING.


So what in the hell happened with the Brewers the last two series?

Their 10th 1 run win, leading the NL.

14 K's, 1 walk by Cubs pitching today.

 

[sickickz23]

Great comeback win and sweep.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

congrats

 

[CP1708]

No worry JRS, lot to like in NY. Add a bat or two, you guys will be fine. Staff is legit as hell.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

we both have good futures and should meet down the road eventually. mets just need a couple of bats and better middle relief.

 

[CP1708]

Anthony Rizzo so far this season.

119 At Bats
40 hits
24 runs
8 doubles
1 triple
7 homers
7 stolen bases
20 RBI
20 walks
11 hit by pitches

.336 average
.470 OBP (leads the league)
.597 Slugging %
1.067 OPS
2.2 WAR

He's on pace to be in the MVP race. And he's 25.

 

[secretzofwar]

Anthony Rizzo so far this season.

119 At Bats
40 hits
24 runs
8 doubles
1 triple
7 homers
7 stolen bases
20 RBI
20 walks
11 hit by pitches

.336 average
.470 OBP (leads the league)
.597 Slugging %
1.067 OPS
2.2 WAR

He's on pace to be in the MVP race. And he's 25.

My man is sneakily stealing 20 bags this year.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

.344 BABIP and 11.3% K%

 

[arstyle27]

I love how we bounced back after the tough series against Milwaukee. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

 

[CP1708]

This is HUGE for this ball club.

Addison Russell is batting right now, for the first time, in the 9 hole, bottom of the second inning.

It was the starting pitchers, FIFTIETH pitch.


That is how you attack an opposing staff. And the Cubs, even with all their strikeouts, and youth, have multiple guys now that will take pitches, work counts, and extend at bats.

Even in games where you struggle vs a starter, getting into a team's bullpen in the 5th-6th inning, regularly, will help your cause ten fold. This is what Theo is building, and it's starting to pay off.

 

[CP1708]

Ha, and as I type that......

Brett Taylor ‏@BleacherNation 2m2 minutes ago
When you force a guy to throw 50 pitches to get through the order once, you're going to have a good chance to do some damage soon.

 

[CP1708]

Locke at 60 pitches, with nobody out in the 3rd inning........

Also, with this the first game in a series, getting into the pen in the 4th-5th inning is huge for a series, as it leaves the other team thin with 2 more games to go. That's a great advantage to attcking teams, forcing them to either leave their starters in too long, or getting into the pen and wearing that down.


63rd pitch coming, still no one out. He's throwing 5-6-7 pitches to every hitter.

 

[johnnyredstorm]

Rizzo

 

[arstyle27]

Great start for the Cubbies today.

 

[CP1708]

Back end of the rotation, and the pen as currently constructed need to be worked on big time this offseason. (and will be)

For now, it's going to cost us in games like this. Hendricks has a 7-1 lead in the 6th, he HAS to keep going and get at least an extra inning. Now the pen is tapped, and give up 6 runs in the final 4 innings. (plus 3 by Hendricks himself)

Now we are taxing our entire pen to win a game we had a 6, and a 5 run lead at late stages of the game.


I can only pray that we get a walk off from Bryant, Castro, Montero, Soler, somebody........

 

[CP1708]

ESPN Stats & Info ‏@ESPNStatsInfo 15s16 seconds ago
Since making his debut on April 17th, Kris Bryant has 24 RBI. The only player w/ more RBI in that span is Bryce Harper (2

 

[CP1708]

Come on Soler, please...............

Edit, they are intentionally walking him. Damnit.

Base loaded, 1 out, AGAIN.

 

[CP1708]

Cubs win!!!!!

Jesus Christ why do we make everything so difficult?

 

[JLD1523]

Can't say I've ever seen a game end like that before but a win is a win. Looking forward to going to the game tomorrow.

 

[CP1708]

Bryant's first 100+ At Bats or so.


99 AB
27 Hits
17 Runs
5 2B
1 3B
4 HR
24 RBI
22 Walks
38 K's
2 Steals

.273/.407/.465 and climbing.


Obviously the power is coming, 4 HR's in the last 7 days. Warmer weather obviously agrees with him.

Leads the team in walks, and RBI already.

He and Rizzo back to back are DYNAMITE right now.

 

[sportsjunkie]

gotta do some about this bullpen. luck was on our side today. we need a great day from Lester tomorrow. feels good not to be in last place for a change