The Cubs return home and win behind terrific pitching.
So, did anything happen since we last spoke? There were a couple of trades, huh? This is Tom’s platform and while I usually just talk about the game and generally how things are going. As a guy who purports to talk about the big picture, I don’t think the trade deadline is a thing that I can ignore.
The Cubs added four players. I wrote just a couple of days ago regarding the lack of roster depth. The Cubs bench offers essentially no offensive value. And at any given time, the Cubs pitching staff utilizes as many as three pitchers who most of us probably don’t want to see touching a ball in a playoff series. Some of you might go past four. The Cubs added four players that I think address some of those issues. Don’t come into my space and tell me that they didn’t do anything. That’s absurd. These were good moves. Will they all definitely work out? That’s a fool’s errand. But ostensibly, all four of these guys make the roster deeper and more effective.
Craig Counsell will be at his best the deeper and more effective the roster gets. So this team did good things. Friday afternoon, we saw the first of those four and Andrew Kittredge (thanks for another name that I have to think about spelling right) was nasty. Yeah, the Orioles gutted their roster on Thursday. No one is planning any parades for the weekend due to Friday afternoon’s win. Also, those last four innings had the feel of a potential playoff bullpen on a game with a close lead.
Some of you might think I draw paychecks from the team based on fairly undying support for them. Very few of you were around back in 2014 when I was one of the critical voices on the old parallel tracks analogy. So let me say this. This was a disappointing trade deadline. I think I’ve been one of the loudest voices around here that this team is special and that I was one of the first ones saying that. One of the other things this organization has said through the years is that every season is sacred and that opportunity is precious.
This team came away from the trade deadline worse compared to other playoff expected teams. It’s a tough concept to verbalize. The team got better, but the other “serious” contenders, improved themselves more. Most of them at least. Of course, the division rival Brewers had small market problems and made less improvement.
I’m disappointed. Even a little frustrated. I’m still going to enjoy the ride and hope the slipper fits. But it’s a harder squint to see them among even the final four teams this season, much less the final two. That makes me a little sad. But I’m not going to let it take the fun of following this team away from me. I understand if your mileage varies. But you’re still here, so I think you’re still here for the ride. Let’s enjoy it.
There is multi-level irony in this one game, coupled with the trade deadline. This team added three pitchers. Still, it didn’t feel like enough. And this Orioles lineup was indeed gutted. But this pitching staff came together and shut them down on three hits and four walks. This isn’t a signature win. Still, I tip my cap to the pitching staff for being every bit as good as they needed to be on a day when the offense was stifled.
I also want to note one comment I saw over the last 24 hours. Some have assumed that Cade Horton might have an innings limit. I saw Alex Cohen note that he’s never seen Horton, Jed Hoyer or Tommy Hottovy actually say those words. Alex has spent a ton of time around this team. Now that isn’t necessarily something you would put out widely. So that’s not necessarily the be all end all. I think it’s been quiet how much Horton has stepped forward this season. We’re still learning what he can be at the major league level. But he’s increasingly looking the part of a first round draft choice pedigree.
On the other side of the equation, the Cubs saw a lefty starter. They managed four hits and no walks. The one run is a good result with so little traffic. I’m pleased that the one bat added was right-handed, with some past success against lefties and a whole lot of positional versatility. I’m looking forward to having someone who can be used to get all of these position players some time off and add a different look to the lineup.
Pitch Counts:
- Orioles: 88 (8 IP), 28 BF
- Cubs: 117, 32 BF
Trevor Rodgers had a real shot at a Maddux in this one and gave the Orioles every chance to win. He faced just four over the minimum over eight innings. The Orioles should have all of their relievers available for both of the other two games in the series.
13 pitches per inning is pretty decent for the Cubs as well. Interesting early pull for Horton who maybe struggled a little at times with his command and then left after five having thrown only 71 pitches. One would think he could have thrown at least one and maybe two more innings. Three of the four relievers had innings with 10 or less pitches. Brad Keller walked one and struck out two, requiring 18 pitches. But all four relievers should be able to throw at least one more time this weekend.
Three Stars:
- Cade Horton: five innings, 18 batters. Terrific work.
- Carson Kelly: two hits and scored the lone run.
- PCA: a double that set up the one run.
Game 109, August 1: Cubs 1, Orioles 0 (64-45)
Fangraphs
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
- Superhero: Cade Horton (.282). 5 IP, 18 BF, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 ER, 3 K (W 5-3)
- Hero: Daniel Palencia (.157). IP, 4 BF, H (Sv, 15)
- Sidekick: Brad Keller (.118). IP, 4 BF, BB, 2 K
THREE GOATS
- Billy Goat: Dansby Swanson (-.104). 0-3
- Goat: Nico Hoerner (-.082). 0-4
- Kid: Seiya Suzuki (-.068). 0-3
WPA Play of the Game: With two outs and a runner on second in the ninth inning, Daniel Palencia got Tyler O’Neill to fly out (to the ivy) to end the game. (.110)
*Cubs Play of the Game: Pete Crow-Armstrong’s double with a runner on first and no outs in the bottom of the second in a scoreless game. (.109)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Previous Winner: Moisés Ballesteros received 148 of 203 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.
- Kyle Tucker +30
- Matthew Boyd +20
- Shōta Imanaga +15
- Jameson Taillon/Miguel Amaya +11
- Nico Hoerner -9
- Julian Merryweather -15
- Ben Brown -18
- Dansby Swanson -26.33
- Seiya Suzuki -30
Up Next: The Cubs will attempt to win the series on Saturday. Ace Matthew Boyd (11-4, 2.47, 123⅔ IP). Matthew got knocked around by the Brewers on Monday. But he’s been terrific this year. So terrific that even with that five runs in five innings game, he’s at 5-1, 1.88 (43 IP) over his last seven starts. Kudos to Matthew and the team for bringing him back on four days after a rough outing coming out of the All-Star break. He was uncharacteristically wild. Let’s hope that was a one off.
Tomoyuki Sugano (8-5, 4.38, 109 IP) starts for the Orioles. The 35-year-old rookie out of Japan is 3-1 despite a 6.95 ERA (33⅔ IP) over his last seven starts. Two pitchers and two teams going in opposite directions. I’d love to see the offense break out and for the Cubs to make this one look a little easier.