Today’s Reflections
With a rainout Sunday and a night game on Monday (which ended up getting rained out), PCA-Mania is continuing (not complaining!). Everybody has a slightly different take, but Brett Taylor’s article is a must-read.
Speaking of PCA-Mania — I’m quite aware that the All-Star Game has lost 98 percent of the allure it had when I was a kid. But I’m rather shocked as to the recent results of voting for PCA. I can only think that it is that bad weekend+ he had with fans and his reaction
to it that is holding him back. And the overall malaise of the Cubs. But I thought it would shock some (smart) people into voting for the first time in a while, like myself, and make a difference. I’m hoping that when it comes time to pick the reserves or injury replacements, PCA will be the first outfielder taken. Read the story at the bottom of the PCA section and go vote.
Just like Ben Brown’s great pitching performance was overshadowed by the offensive onslaught Friday, Matt Shaw’s three-run homer was overshadowed by the bullpen’s collapse Saturday. So here’s shout-out to him. Also, when Seiya Suzuki got hurt, he was on an impressive defensive run in right field. Shaw took over the spot and there has been no drop-off. A cap-tip to him for that as well.
I’m sorry, but I don’t remember who asked what would it take to acquire Sonny Gray. A couple of options are listed below.
A very interesting Cub-take from Carson Kelly about the new catching style and its results. It was brought up last week by this article by the Athletic {$}.
And this speaks for itself:
I’ll let you get to reading, but remember — Go Vote!
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More PCA-Mania:
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): My Favorite Bit of Context on Just How Blisteringly Good Pete Crow-Armstrong Has Been, “Given his unbelievable June, on the heels of what was quietly excellent performance at the plate going back to mid-April, it’s been unsurprising to see all manner of “holy crap did you see this!” about Pete Crow-Armstrong.
- Brian Sandalow (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong more willing to take walks this season. “Center fielder has been more selective at the plate and already has 28 walks, compared with 29 in all of last season.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Inside the numbers of Crow-Armstrong’s incredible hot streak. “This is must-see TV.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Looking at Mechanical Changes Behind Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Unprecedented Tear. “Pete Crow-Armstrong has been MLB’s best player in June, and it’s not even close.”
- Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Shocking MLB All-Star voting update tells you exactly how Cubs fans feel right now. “Tell me you’re checked out without telling me you’re checked out.”
Trade Talk:
- Garrett Kerman (Clutch Points): Cubs’ perfect trade offer for Red Sox’s Sonny Gray. “Discover the perfect trade proposal sending Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray to the Chicago Cubs for two high-upside prospects.”
- Nick Deeds (Cubbies Crib): Cubs have every reason to dismiss insane Red Sox Matt Shaw trade idea. “Things have changed since the offseason.”
- Casey McAleer (Da Windy City): Cubs’ upcoming Mets series could decide their trade deadline plans. “Chicago has little room for error as it chases the Brewers in the NL Central race.”
- Nick Deeds (Cubbies Crib): Cubs can’t brush aside growing Seiya Suzuki trade rumors thanks to Jeff Passan. “Suzuki playing elsewhere this summer seems even more likely than we thought.”
- Rich Eberwein (Cubbies Crib): Cubs given nightmare fuel after seeing Jeff Passan’s best fits for Tarik Skubal. “If the Brewers acquire Tarik Skubal, the Cubs will be even more cooked than they already are.”
- Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Cubs Trade for Some Relief Help, Acquiring Astros RHP Jayden Murray. “The Chicago Cubs executed what can technically be called a buy-side trade for a real big league reliever.”
Assorted (and painful) stories:
- Alex House (Clutch Points): Cubs left-handed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd is taking a big step in his recovery from left knee surgery. “Cubs left-handed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd is taking a big step in his recovery from left knee surgery.”
- Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs’ Justin Steele on losing years of what should’ve been his prime — and the success he ‘knows’ is coming. “Another ramp-up is right in front of the lefty, who hasn’t pitched in a game in more than 14 months. If Steele is going to help this Cubs team find its groove later in the summer, it’s now or never.”
- Tommy Erbe (OnTapSportsNet): Why Letting Kyle Schwarber Walk Will Forever Haunt The Chicago Cubs. “With every home run hit, Kyle Schwarber sends a dagger through the Chicago Cubs organization, reminding them what they opted against.”
- Gorden Edes (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs catcher Carson Kelly can’t mask his pain. “Many catchers have abandoned the crouch in favor of one knee down, but they are getting drilled by balls more often.”
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Can top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins return from injury in time to help the Cubs this season? “When he’s healthy, Wiggins is one of the more intriguing pitching prospects in the game.”
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Seiya Suzuki Has Turned a Quick Release into a Real Run-Stopping Outfield Arm. “When it comes to Seiya Suzuki’s arm, the question has never been whether he could throw hard enough. He’s learned to get rid of the ball faster, though, and that’s made a big difference.”
- Jon Greenberg (The Athletic {$}): PCA keeps hitting, but sluggish Cubs can’t muster any momentum. “It’s late June, and though Crow-Armstrong is showing he’s worth the hype, you can’t say the same about the Cubs.”
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): A first look at the Chicago Cubs’ Champions Gate — plus more on its architectural details. “The Chicago Cubs’ Champions Gate will be installed at the entrance to Gallagher Way on Clark Street.”
Saturday’s game and wrap-up of short Blue Jays’ series:
- Andy Martinez (Chicago Tribune {$}): Chicago Cubs bullpen blows late 5-run lead in 8-6 loss to Toronto Blue Jays: ‘We just didn’t get it done’. “The Chicago Cubs bullpen blew a five-run lead, surrendering eight runs in the seventh and eighth innings in an 8-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.”
- Mike McGraw (Daily Herald): So much for momentum: Cubs bullpen flubs 5-run lead. “In baseball, it’s often said, momentum is only as good as the next day’s starting pitcher. Sometimes the starting pitcher is very good, though, and the bullpen messes it up.”
- Jeff Vorva (Chicago Tribune {$}): 3 Chicago Cubs takeaways from a Toronto Blue Jays series featuring sunshine and rain — on and off the field. “The Chicago Cubs hosted Toronto at Wrigley Field on Friday and Saturday, outscoring the Blue Jays 21-2 in the first 15 innings of the series.”
Food For Thought:
Jack de Keyzer is a British-born Canadian blues guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer.[1] He has twice won the Juno Award, Canada’s highest musical honour and seven times received Maple Blues Awards, including for Blues Album of the Year in 2000 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Real Blues Magazine crowned him Live Act of the Year in 2001 and named him Guitarist of the Year twice.
As a solo artist, he has released eleven CDs and one DVD and has appeared as a session guitarist on hundreds of recordings. As a session guitarist, he worked with Etta James, Otis Rush, John Hammond, Jr., Ronnie Hawkins, Duke Robillard, Robert Gordon, Willy Big Eyes Smith, Bo Diddley, and Blue Rodeo.
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