Today’s Reflections
Welcome, Kevin Gausman, to the family! And DO NOT scare us like that!
I’m sure I’m not the only one when, on his 14th pitch as a Cub Friday, Gausman took a line drive off his ankle by Kansas City’s Salvador Perez and he was hobbling around. The thought in my head couldn’t be avoided: “Of course. We, as Cub fans, can’t have nice things.”
But Gausman shook off the zinger and got out of the inning allowing just the run set up by the ricocheted liner out into short right field. Gausman cruised
through seven innings, including four 1-2-3 innings. He, of course, gave up the complimentary Cubs Starter solo home run (I want to retire this phrase!), but in total, Gausman allowed only four hits and a walk while striking out four. The nearly-perfect performance (66 of his 96 pitches were for strikes) was a joy to watch. Keep it up, Kevin.
Offensively, most of the damage was from the top three in the order. PCA was 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base. Seiya Suzuki followed, going 2-for-5 with two RBI. Alex Bregman finished the top three going 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI.
At the other end of the lineup, Pedro Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Michael Busch added a pair of hits in three at-bats.
BIG complaint — Caleb Thielbar needs a break. He’s been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde, but Friday he allowed two runs on three hits in 0.1 IP. Two games before that against the Dodgers, Thielbar allowed four hits, including a home run, and gave up four runs in 0.1 IP. And two games prior to that against the Cardinals, he gave up a solo home run in 1.0 IP. Yes, those were sandwich around two good performances, but he needs a reset. The two home runs mentioned above are two of 10 that Thielbar has given up this year.
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Friday’s Game Stories:
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {#}): Kevin Gausman’s strong Chicago Cubs debut fuels 6-4 win: ‘That’s the reason you trade for somebody like this’. “The Cubs (68-49) won their fifth consecutive game and moved 4½ games back of the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers, who lost Friday.”
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Trade-deadline addition Kevin Gausman shines in Cubs debut: ‘He’s nasty, he really is’. “The newly arrived right-hander was excellent after a shaky first inning, retiring 19 of the final 21 batters he faced in helping the Cubs to their fifth straight win, a 6-4 victory over the Royals.”
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Kevin Gausman strong in Cubs debut as North Siders continue their winning ways. “Gausman seems to fit in perfectly with a playoff-hungry Cubs team.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): After whirlwind week, Gausman delivers 7 strong in impressive Cubs debut. “As Gausman walked back to the dugout following that seventh-inning strikeout, there were clear cheers from the Chicago fans occupying the ballpark.”
Assorted Stories:
- Jay Staph (Just Baseball): Pete Crow-Armstrong Has a Real Shot to Win NL MVP. “For the first time since 2023, the NL MVP race may come down to the wire, as a new challenger has emerged: Cubs CF Pete Crow-Armstrong.”
- Zachary Weinberger (ClutchPoints): Kevin Gausman drops high praise for Cubs after stellar debut. “New Cubs pitcher Kevin Gausman reacts to his debut against the Royals, shouting out the team after the trade with the Blue Jays.”
- Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Unbelievable Cubs stat justifies Jed Hoyer’s often-frustrating approach to building a pitching staff. “The best defensive team in the Statcast era has Cubs pitchers finding tremendous success.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Cabrera’s impending return gives Cubs crucial starting depth after Deadline. “After this upcoming rehab outing, it is possible that the hard-throwing righty will be deemed ready to rejoin Chicago’s rotation.”
- Anthony Kerr (DaWindyCity): The time for the Cubs to finally make a push at the NL Central has arrived. “The Cubs have everything they need to finally dethrone the Brewers from the top of the division.”
- Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Clay Holmes was quietly helping Cubs succeed long before getting traded to the team last week. “The right-hander was instrumental in one of the team’s biggest pitching success stories.”
- Cory Sparks (North Side Baseball): Clay Holmes’ Pitching Style Fits Cubs Perfectly. “Clay Holmes and the Cubs’ infield defense will sing a harmonious tune from the moment he steps on the mound.”
- Matthew Creally (Pitcher List): Ryan Zeferjahn is Geared for Prime Time. “The newest Cub has all the tools for a big moment or two in October.”
- Cory Sparks (North Side Baseball): Acquiring Tyrone Taylor Was An Unsung Gem By Jed Hoyer At Trade Deadline. “Not as hyped as the Cubs’ myriad of pitching additions at the trade deadline, Tyrone Taylor should settle in nicely as a key piece of the bench down the stretch.”
- Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery): Who’s On the Chopping Block in the Chicago Cubs Bullpen? “The Chicago Cubs bullpen has been shaky throughout the 2026 season, and who would have thought back in April that Jacob Webb wouldn’t only be good, but he’d be one of the best relievers in MLB?”
- Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): Cubs Share Bad News on Matt Shaw’s Status as Season Enters Crunch Time. “The good news is that they don’t have to feel rushed at this point, but he’s still the kind of bat and versatile position player you’d like to have in the dugout at such a crucial point in the season.”
- Matt Sullivan (Sporting News): Cubs predicted to sign All-Star pitcher traded by Tigers to $90M contract in free agency. “This prediction would make a lot of sense for the Cubs this offseason.”
Food For Thought:
With her rich vocals, captivating guitar style, and hefty catalog of well-crafted original songs, she has entertained audiences in true southern style, and has garnered 21 music industry nominations, including 3 for “Song of the Year.” An indisputable triple threat – as singer, songwriter, and guitar player – her own unique blend of “country flavored southern fried blues” appeals to fans across the genres.
A seasoned veteran of the road, Kight has no plans to slow down. She’s writing and recording more new songs and performing more live shows, taking her roots music to the fans. No matter the city or the venue, wherever she’s making music, she’s at home. It’s what she does. It’s what she loves.
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