Today’s Reflections
So, the White Sox have in Jose Urquidy the equivalent of the Cubs’ Javier Assad. For example:
August 19th, Urquidy, planned reliever in the third inning for an opener: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K.
June 6th, Assad, emergency reliever in the second inning for a Jameson Taillon implosion: 6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K.
Not taking anything away from Urquidy; just thought it was an interesting comparison.
The Cubs’ couldn’t solve Urquidy Wednesday, or the other two White Sox relievers, as
they were held to two hits and were victims of 10 strikeouts. That was the game.
The Cubs won the series, so we can look back on these interesting tidbits and very mildly chuckle, because in recent weeks, a stymied offense has been a rarity. But with all the big bats in the Cubs’ line-up and bench? Tyrone Taylor was the dominating Cubs hitter of the game after beating out stunning infield single, followed by a screeching double to left field!
Clay Holmes did well, holding the White Sox to a run, six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings pitched. The bullpen did get a good combined performance by Caleb Thielbar, Trent Thorton and Aaron Civale, pitching scoreless ball over three innings, allowing just one hit, but did walk four. It was the second breakdown in three games by Ryan Rolison that makes me wonder if he has passed his run of peak performance. He surrendered two runs by allowing consecutively a walk, a double and a two-RBI double in 0.2 IP.
And I’d be remiss in failing to mention the solid infield defense by the Cubs. Twelve of Holmes’ 14 balls in play were ground balls. Alex Bregman and Nico Hoerner had notable plays among several other good ones from the team.
The Cubs received their second day off in 11 days Thursday as they traveled to Seattle.
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Wednesday Game Stories:
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): City Series: 3 takeaways from the Cubs’ series win, including Clay Holmes’ value — and walk-off magic. “The Cubs (74-54) failed to homer Wednesday for only the third time in their last 19 games.”
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): White Sox hold Cubs to two hits, avoid sweep with shutout win in Crosstown series finale. “Sox pitching, led by six scoreless relief innings from Jose Urquidy, kept baseball’s second highest scoring offense off the scoreboard to prevent a sweep at Wrigley Field.”
Hitters’ Stories:
- Max Ralph (MLB.com): Red-hot Hoerner’s luck is turning, adding another year to his robot-like consistency. “Since becoming an everyday player in 2022, his .294 batting average with runners in scoring position ranks 21st among MLB players with at least 500 chances.”
- Patrick Warren (Los Angeles Dodgers On SI): Rival Players Overwhelmingly Agree Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Does Not Deserve MVP Over PCA. “PCA is leading the charge in the National League MVP race.”
- Carson Wolf (Just Baseball): How Alex Bregman Turned His First Cubs Season Around. “After a rough first half, Alex Bregman made key adjustments at the plate and turned his season around. Here’s what changed.”
- Sam Caulder (North Side Baseball): Michael Busch is Slumping Again, But This Time, It’s Different. “Michael Busch’s numbers may not be as ugly as they were during his disastrous April, but his current slump comes with a couple of troubling developments.”
Pitchers’ Stories (Starters’ Version):
- Sam Caulder (North Side Baseball): Comparing Cubs’ Improved Rotation Against Other National League Contenders. “The Cubs made starting pitching a priority at the trade deadline, but how does their new-look rotation stack up against the National League’s best?”
- Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs quickly undo puzzling David Peterson decision that never made sense. “He’s back where he deserves to be.”
- Brandon Glick (Cubbies Crib): Cubs must solve Shota Imanaga conundrum before it’s too late. “He’s still flawed, but is it fatal?”
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): How are Cubs liking trade-deadline acquisitions Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes? ‘They’re going to help us a lot’. “After three starts apiece since the trade deadline, Gausman and Holmes have, mostly, looked the part of top-of-the-rotation additions, with the Cubs seeing them as big contributors for a planned October run.”
Pitchers’ Stories (Relievers’ Version):
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Palencia Activated, Arias Added, Assad Optioned, Miller Designated. “The Cubs made a flurry of roster moves ahead of Friday night’s game in Seattle.”
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs want to get Daniel Palencia back to postseason form: ‘I just want to be The Gasolina, throwing heat’. “Palencia returned from a two-month stay on the injured list to find his closer’s job taken. But he’s open to whatever the Cubs have in mind to get him back to the big-time weapon he was last year, one they can deploy in a postseason series.”
- Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Jacob Webb is proof why it’s too early to worry about one Cubs trade deadline addition. “No need to panic yet.”
- Zachary Draves (ClutchPoints): Edward Cabrera set for new role once he returns from injury. “The Cubs will assign pitcher Edward Cabrera a new role as he is expected to make a return from a finger injury.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Shelby Miller’s Incredible Comeback Gains Steam, Jaxon Wiggins Strengthens Case for Bullpen Role. “Back in 2021, Shelby Miller was little more than a punchline about former Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart saying he was a $200 million player because he’d been traded for Jason Heyward.”
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): What we’re hearing about the Cubs pitching as more arms start to get healthy. “One pitcher who may best exemplify this group’s versatility and willingness to do whatever is asked is Javier Assad.”
- Andrew Wright (Yardbarker): Javier Assad’s role versatility has been invaluable for the Cubs. “The surplus of (starting pitching) depth has led to frequent roster moves and role changes that have often affected no one player more than right-hander Javier Assad.”
Prospect Stories:
- Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): You Gotta Be Kidding Me: Cubs Will Face the Top Pitching Prospect in Baseball This Weekend. “Cool. Thanks, Mariners. First you drop two of three to the Brewers, and then you call up the top pitching prospect in MLB, Kade Anderson, to face the Cubs immediately thereafter.”
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cade Townsend is Cubs pitching’s far future, but what’s near future look like when starters hit free agency? “The team’s first-round draft pick this summer is far from the major leagues, but there’s pitching turnover on a much nearer horizon, with the entire at-this-moment starting rotation possibly departing via free agency after this season.”
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): What Cubs first-rounder Cade Townsend lacks in size, he makes up for in confidence. “A 6-foot-1 top pitching prospect for the Cubs, Townsend has the edge to be a potential starter for Chicago.”
- Jared Bloom (Sporting News): Cubs could spark offense with red-hot Triple-A catcher promotion. “Even with a stacked backstop, the Cubs could still give the No. 2 prospect looks.”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Cubs Prospect Jaxon Wiggins is Currently Pitching Very Well in Relief, You Say? “An elbow injury got him early in the year, kept him out for months, and when he finally returned, he was not finding success. The Iowa Cubs moved Wiggins into the bullpen a few appearances ago, and he has thrown three strong single-inning outings since.”
Assorted Stories:
- Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Former Cubs free agency flop retires as old Jed Hoyer flaw has become a strength. “We’ve come a long way.”
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs showed off playoff potential with Crosstown series win over postseason-caliber White Sox team. “Though they were blanked in the finale Wednesday, the Cubs won another series against a playoff-caliber team, showing what they’re capable of come October.”
- Zoe Grossman (Chicago Cubs On SI): How the Cubs Can Still Catch the Brewers in the NL Central Race. “Over the last two months, the Chicago Cubs have been playing arguably their best baseball all season.”
- Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Dansby Swanson’s presence will be part of Cubs’ efforts to weather his absence: ‘He turns into another coach’. “Swanson will miss the next four weeks while recovering from a strained oblique, but he’s not expected to stop contributing, with teammates describing him as a coach-type presence.”
Food For Thought:
Vel Omarr is a celebrated soul singer whose voice has captivated audiences across the world. Born and raised on a small farm in the Mississippi Delta, his earliest musical experiences were steeped in Southern gospel traditions—sounds that would shape the emotional depth and expressive power of his artistry. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Sam Cooke, Vel developed a signature vocal style marked by its warmth, clarity, and unmistakable soul.
Vel Omarr’s rise reflects a journey of perseverance and musical devotion. He has performed on stages from the Delta to Chicago and ultimately Los Angeles, the entertainment capital where his career flourished. Along the way, he has shared the stage with iconic artists including James Brown, Etta James, Little Richard, and others. Experience an artist who continues to carry forward the rich legacy of soul and blues with authenticity and heart.
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