Yu Darvish (Photo by Stephanie Lynn)

A 6-3 victory which raises the Cubs record to a NL Central best 5-2… what could be wrong?

Last Game: Cubs 6, Pirates 3

Up Next: Keller vs. Chatwood, 7:15, Marquee

Game Recap

This looked like the 2019 second half version of Yu Darvish. He walked only one while punching out seven (18 whiffs and 18 called strikes on 86 pitches). It was a truly dominant effort. No runners reached scoring position against him.

The Cubs bats continue showing up every game. They’ve scored no fewer than three runs over their first seven games while getting production at every position. It is a more diverse lineup than the previous couple of seasons with L/R balance and a nice mix of patience, power, and contact skills.

Their situation could be about to get even better as Kris Bryant looks like he is starting to lock in. He’s been grinding long at bats all along, but he hasn’t been expanding as much since returning to the lineup, and is now making hard contact (without many positive results yet).

And how about them 2nd baseman?

A year ago the position was an offensive black hole as Addison Russell (79 OPS+), Ben Zobrist (77 OPS+), Tony Kemp (45 OPS+), and Daniel Descalso (37 OPS+) all floundered.

Through 7 games in 2020?

Nico Hoerner is batting .389 (128 OPS+) with 5 RBI in 5 starts.

Jason Kipnis is slashing .455/.500/1.000 (311 OPS+) in 3 starts (1 at DH).

And that other 2B, who hasn’t gotten a start at the position yet?

David Bote is outhitting both to the tune of .500/.583/1.200 (388 OPS+) with 2 HR in 4 G.

Injuries, Updates, and Trends

Catching up on a couple of roster moves and transactions since my last post a couple of days ago:

• The Dillon Maples Experience ended quickly in 2020. I hoped an Opening Day roster spot would boost his confidence a bit and help him throw the ball over the plate. My hope was in vain. After a disastrous outing Wednesday he was returned to South Bend in favor of swingman Colin Rea. I doubt we see Rea pitch unless a starter exits early or the game is a blowout one way or the other.
• In a desperate search for bullpen help, the Cubs have made a desperate move, signing former stud closer Cody Allen to a Minor League deal. The former Cleveland All-Star struggled with the Angels in 2019 as his once dominant fastball dropped to the 92-94 range. He’s still got a decent curve, but a two-pitch guy can’t get by with one of his offerings being as hittable as his fastball has been. He also walked a Maples-like 20 BB in 23 IP last year. Allen was released by the Rangers just before Opening Day. This is purely a flyer. I don’t expect it to work out, but the Cubs had a couple of open roster spots and they can easily release Allen quickly if he doesn’t show improvement in South Bend.

Trust Level

Kyle Ryan and Rowan Wick were okay last night. Not dominant, surely, but more or less got the job done. Both were throwing a bit harder than their previous outings, more closely mirroring their 2019 velos, so maybe they are nearing regular season form.

High leverage: Ryan, Wick?

Shaky, but trending in right direction: Wick?, Jeffress, Tepera, Sadler, Brothers?, Underwood Jr.?

There’s hope, but not earning it: Brothers?, Underwood Jr. (?), Norwood

We gotta pitch somebody: Winkler, Rea

Need a 3(5?)+ run cushion: Kimbrel

About that Kimbrel guy:

There was no doubt Kimbrel was going to come in throwing fastballs tonight, so Pirates likely knew what was coming anyway, but I do wonder if there is an arm slot difference between FB/CV that is tipping his pitches.https://t.co/kTlCvgdyTz

— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst) August 1, 2020

Craig Kimbrel in 2020
11 BF, 4 R, 4 BB, 4 Outs (3 on EV >102), 2 H, 2 HR, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 0 K

1 SwStr on 48 pitches this year.

Release point is 1-2 inches below normal. His knuckle curve is getting less vertical drop, and 1 inch more horizontal movement (2-3 more than 2016-17).

— Michael Ernst (@mj_ernst) August 1, 2020