Today’s Reflections
When I said I wish there was a way for the Cubs to get healthy enough to force Jameson Taillon from the rotation, this wasn’t what I meant nor the order I wished it came in.
But let’s talk about the performance put in by Javier Assad!!! I know an unexpected, lengthy, nearly-perfect relief appearance happens a 2-3 times each year, but that was one stellar performance, that ended up getting wasted by the offense! AGAIN! But let’s look at the positive side of this. Omitting his two
disastrous outings in April, in 25.2 IP, Assad has allowed 7 hits, 4 walks and 2 earned runs for a 0.71 ERA and a 0.44 WHIP with 19 K. Hopefully, when he gets the ball put in his hand every fifth day (I’m assuming), he will continue with this mindset and performance level. It would have been great to see if Taillon could have continued the solid work he put in against the A’s last week. Maybe he will be the replacement and Assad can keep this run going on the way to a healthy rotation. And here’s a little tidbit I came across:
This weekend was “Pile on Alex Bregman” time. There were several repetitive articles (almost as many as during PCA’s chatting-to-the-fans weekend), so I plucked one for your reading (dis)pleasure.
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Trade Talk Today:
- Jacob Zanolla (Bleacher Nation): Tigers Are Not Selling Tarik Skubal Right Now, But … Duh. “….. The Detroit Tigers are telling teams Skubal is off limits on the trade market, but we all know that won’t last very long.”
- Dan Fappiano (Clutch Points) Why Cubs will trade for Tarik Skubal instead of Dodgers. “When the MLB trade deadline rolls around, it’ll be the Cubs that come out on top in the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes.”
- Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): 3 surprising Cubs who could be traded if the team doesn’t get back on track soon. “It’s time to turn this thing around if Chicago wants to add at the deadline.”
Assorted Bits:
- Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): Cubs Bring Back Flame-Throwing Eduarniel Nunez in One of Two Pitching Moves. “A long-time Chicago Cubs prospect has made his way back to the organization after stops with the Athletics and Padres.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Matt Shaw Reportedly Being Activated Tuesday, Kevin Alcántara’s Clock Ticking. “Alcántara will be out of options after this season, and it’s really difficult to imagine the organization suddenly getting comfortable with him being a full-time member of the roster in 2027 and beyond.”
- Nick Halden (Da Windy City): Cubs have no easy answer to Dansby Swanson’s growing problem. “Chicago can bench him, but the contract makes any long-term decision far more complicated.”
- Jesse Rogers (ESPN): Alex Bregman takes blame for Cubs’ offensive woes after loss. “”They brought me here to play good baseball, and I haven’t played good baseball. I need to figure it out.””
- Ryan Herrera (Just Baseball): Ben Brown Is Cementing Himself As A Key Cubs Rotation Piece. “Ben Brown hadn’t been able to live up to his potential consistently before, but he’s now doing that way more consistently in 2026.”
- Cory Sparks (North Side Baseball): 3 Cubs Right-Handed Hitters Who Need to Step Up. “The Cubs’ lackluster-at-times offense needs to see more from it’s contingent of right-handed sluggers in order to get back on track.”
- Allison Mast (MLB.com): Incoming! Cubs top prospect Rojas hits building during two-homer night. “There’s a lot to consider when moving into a new apartment: square footage, amenities … and the possibility of a home run landing on your patio?”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Chicago Cubs Acquire Yet Another Relief Arm, Trading for Big Lefty Antoine Kelly. “So why not take a just-about-no-cost flier on 6’5″ lefty who can throw 99 mph and is still only 26 years old?”
Recap on the Loss Sunday:
- Jeff Vorva (Chicago Tribune {$}): Chicago Cubs lose starter Jameson Taillon early and the game late in a 2-1 extra-innings defeat. “Of the five Chicago Cubs starting pitchers from the first week of the season, one is out for the season, two are on the injured list and another appears headed for the dreaded list.”
- Zoe Grossman (Chicago Cubs On SI): Cubs Waste Great Javier Assad Return in Series Finale vs. Giants – 3 Takeaways. “Cubs relievers shut down Giants after Taillon injury, but the offense couldn’t keep its composure.”
Recap on the Win Saturday:
- Sean Sears (Chicago Cubs On SI): 3 Takeaways After Giants’ Blunder Leads to Another Cubs Walk-Off Win. “Giants misplay allows Dansby Swanson to score the game-winning run in the 10th. ….. Pete Henry Crow-Armstrong, human spark plug.”
- Brian Sandalow (Chicago Sun-Times): Two more homers in Cubs’ 3-2 victory against Giants another twist in Pete Crow-Armstrong’s wild season. “Through 65 games, Crow-Armstrong has signed a new contract, gone viral multiple times and now is trying to carry the sputtering Cubs.”
Food For Thought:
The Buddaheads (also known as BB Chung King & The Screaming Buddaheads) were a Los Angeles-based blues-rock band founded in 1989 by Japanese-American guitarist and producer Alan Mirikitani, who performed under the stage name B.B. Chung King. The band earned widespread acclaim for their high-energy electric blues, extensive touring, and control over their own independent music releases before disbanding in July 2015 following the sudden death of Mirikitani from a heart attack.
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