Heavy sigh. This is as weird of a Cubs season to follow as I can remember. You’ve heard me say it so many times. This team is better than it’s looked over the last two weeks. We knew it was never as good as it looked the three weeks before that. But somewhere in the middle is the true talent level of this team. But we’re just not seeing that.
Finally, the Cubs got a quality start. It felt like it has been forever since that happened. The pitching kept the game competitive, allowing three or fewer
runs for the first time since they shut out the Braves on May 14. But today there was basically no offense. They had just three singles and drew three walks. On top of that, they grounded into two double plays and had a runner caught stealing. The Astros only had to face 30 total hitters. You’re basically never going to win with that output.
Maybe this is rock bottom? I don’t know. And I don’t really know what to say. It’s hard have a ton of warm and fuzzy things to say when things are going this bad.
Maybe Sunday?
Three Positives:
- Credit where it is due, FIP didn’t like this game (6.95), but Colin Rea threw seven innings and allowed three runs on four hits and walked three. This team should win behind that outing.
- Ryan Rolison faced the minimum in a scoreless ninth.
- Moisés Ballesteros drew two walks in three plate appearances. Two five-pitch walks. Showing some patience should get him a few more pitches to drive.
Game 52, May 23: Astros 3, Cubs 0 (29-23)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
- Superhero: Moisés Ballesteros (.042). 0-1, 2 BB
- Hero/Sidekick: Nico Hoerner/Trent Thornton (.014). Hoerner: 0-2, BB; Thornton: IP, 5 BF, H, BB
THREE GOATS:
- Billy Goat: Miguel Amaya (-.112). 0-2, DP
- Goat: Seiya Suzuki (-.097). 0-3, DP
- Kid: Pete Crow-Armstrong (-.072). 1-4, CS
WPA Play of the Game: Christian Walker’s two-run homer with two outs in the first. (.190)
Cubs Play of the Game: Moisés Ballesteros led off the third with a walk. (.044)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 51 Winner: Pete Crow-Armstrong received 60 of 76 votes.
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 5/Bottom 5)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
- Michael Busch +16
- Michael Conforto +14
- Nico Hoerner +13
- Shōta Imanaga +10
- Trent Thornton +7.5
- Ryan Rolison -8
- Phil Maton -9
- Matt Shaw -10
- Dansby Swanson -11
- Seiya Suzuki -22
Current Win Pace: 90.34 wins
Up Next: The third and final game of the season series with the Astros. The Cubs are just 7-10 versus AL teams so far this year. Shōta Imanaga (4-4, 3.38, 58.2 IP) gets his 11th start of the season. It says a lot about how good he’s been this year that his numbers are still quite good after allowing eight earned runs in 4.1 innings the last time out. Hopefully, he can bounce back. He’s been at his best in day games (2.62 vs 4.44). The Astros are only 7-10 versus lefty starters).
29-year-old Peter Lambert (2-4, 3.57, 35.1 IP) makes his seventh start of the year. The Rockies second round pick (44th overall) in the 2015 draft lost last time out. He allowed five earned in six innings of work against the Rangers. He did beat the Dodgers back on May 5, holding them scoreless over seven. In two road starts, he has a 1.74 ERA. The Cubs are 7-6 against lefty starters.
This is the game the Cubs will break through and win.
Go Cubs.
