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

[CP1708]

In Arrieta’s last seven starts, he’s 7-0 with a 0.36 ERA (2 ER / 50 1/3 IP). A win Thursday would make Arrieta the first Cubs pitcher to win eight straight starts since Milt Pappas won 11 in a row in 1972.

Arrieta also is riding a string of 15 quality starts, dating back to June 21. During that stretch he is 12-1 with a 0.99 ERA. A 16th straight quality start on Thursday would make him the first Cubs pitcher in the last 100 years to accomplish the feat.

 

[sportsjunkie]

Sorry Fellas, I meant to shout you guys out for my 1000 post. I couldn't of did it without you Cubs fans. Continue to be great. @CP1708 stay blessed bro, and keep the Cubs updates coming. We on our way.

 

[CP1708]

Pirates/Cardinals both lose.

Arrieta/Hendricks go tomorrow. Need to sweep this doubleheader, and take at least 3/4 vs Philly.

 

[sportsjunkie]

We need to sweep Philly. We need to take advantage of them bad teams.

 

[CP1708]

Dexter Fowler has been awesome this year, and particularly in the second half. Fowler is playing solid defense, is hitting .253/.350/.432 and has paced the Cubs’ offense for two months now. He’ll be a vital part of the Cubs’ run the rest of the season, and on into the playoffs.

But what about after that?

As Patrick Mooney correctly writes, and hears from a source familiar with the Cubs’ thinking, Dexter Fowler is going to get a qualifying offer from the Cubs after the season. I don’t know why this was ever a question – even when Fowler wasn’t producing like he has been for the past couple months – given his age (29), track record (well above-average hitter going on five years straight), and the Cubs’ at-least-one-year need in the outfield. Without an obvious replacement in center field for 2016, Fowler accepting a one-year, $16ish million qualifying offer from the Cubs would actually be a pretty fantastic scenario.

Much more likely, Fowler declines the offer to explore free agency (depressed slightly by the qualifying offer, and which maybe puts an extension in the Cubs’ price range (though I doubt it)), signs elsewhere, and the Cubs get a compensatory draft pick. Thus, the offer always made sense.

The tougher question (it’s been on the table since early April) remains how aggressively the Cubs pursue re-signing Fowler, who is an obvious fit, will be only 30 next year, and is a huge part of the Cubs’ offensive success.

It’s easy for folks to say, “Heck yeah, a three year deal with Fowler totally makes sense!” … because I can’t see him getting only three-year offers. Perhaps some suitors will be turned off by his arguably average defense, but free agency always seems to get guys at least a year more and millions more than you expect. A four or five-year deal out there for Fowler would not surprise me in the least, and, if that’s where the bidding goes, I’m not sure the Cubs should devote their resources there, given the pitching needs.

Then again, if not Fowler, what exactly do the Cubs do in center field next year? Albert Almora won’t be ready (and it’s not fair to assume he definitely will be in the future). Could the Cubs try to bring back Austin Jackson? He only just got here, and has been trending in the wrong direction for a few years. But maybe he clicks in Chicago? Could the Cubs try Kris Bryant out there for a bridge year or two? Another infielder out there? It’s all possible, but it’s going to be an interesting question heading into the offseason.

 

[CP1708]

Jake Arrieta ERA now at 1.99, with 200+ innings, and 204 K's on the year, about to become the league's first 19 game winner.

 

[menacin methods]

Cy Young?

 

[CP1708]

He's top 3 without a doubt, but the two Dodgers will be in his way. He needs them to have some poor games to finish the year, and he has to continue to win out in order to have a chance. Odds are, 2nd is best he can hope for, and 3rd is his most likely finish.

 

[CP1708]

Arrieta

19-6
1.99 ERA
199 Innings
204K's

 

[johnnyredstorm]

What a lousy year to be dominant 4 legit Cy Young candidates.

 

[CP1708]

Schwarber 2 bombs
Bryant a 2 run bomb.

We're in the 5th.

 

[CP1708]

HUGE DH and series vs Pitt starts today.

 

[dmxfury]

Good luck gents, big series. May one of them catch STL and pass

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

^
Likewise

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Lester
9IP
1ER
9K

 

[CP1708]

Lester with a dominant performance.

Needed that badly, now need Arrieta to follow it up with one of his own.

 

[CP1708]

Strikeouts with runners in scoring position and less than 2 outs are driving me insane. :x

 

[CP1708]

Sahadev Sharma ‏@sahadevsharma 2m2 minutes ago
Cubs offense is about average (4.24 R/G, just below MLB average of 4.25), but only convert 42% of runners on 3rd w

 

[sportsjunkie]

Baez with leadoff double only to leave him stranded at 3rd base. geez. we need at least 2 runs to win this game. Jake is dealing as usual.

 

[CP1708]

Devastatingly poor defense.

Just GAVE the first run away.
Then GAVE the second on the dropped line drive.

:x

Should be 2-0 bottom 9.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

C'MON MAN!!

 

[CP1708]

Great job getting 1, but needed a better at bat from Bryant.

Finish this Rondon.......

 

[Sonny Corinthos]

Kris usually strikes out at least 2 times a game

 

[johnnyredstorm]

31.1% of the time to be precise. If he can get that under 25% he'll have a .380 OBP or better.

 

[CP1708]

Cubs win!!!!