The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks who should take Jameson Taillon’s spot in the rotation.
It’s Tuesday here at BCB After Dark: the hippest hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and sit with us. We’re here all night. There are still a few tables available. There’s no cover charge. Bring your own beverage.
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The Cubs got rolled tonight by the Minnesota Twins, 8-1. The game was actually close until Porter Hodge came into the game and gave up six runs in a third of an inning and that’s a problem. Another problem is that the Cubs got shut down by a rather mediocre starter, although that may be a one-off thing. I guess the good news is that Justin Turner homere in garbage time for 200th home run of his career.
Last night I asked you if you still wanted the Cubs to trade for Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara. Fully 83 percent of you don’t think he’s good enough anymore to provide much of an upgrade, at least for what he would cost in payroll and prospects. In the second question, 58 percent of you claimed to have never been in favor of dealing for Alcantara this year.
Tuesday nights I don’t normally do movie stuff, but I always have time for jazz. So now is that time.
We have the great Duke Ellington and his orchestra playing his signature tune, Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the ‘A’ Train” in MIlan in 1966.
There’s a drum solo by Elvin Jones in the second half of this performance.
Welcome back to everyone who skips the music.
You all know that Cubs’ starter Jameson Taillon is down with a calf strain, just as Shōta Imanaga returned to the rotation from his hamstring strain. Taillon will miss. . .I don’t know . . .six? eight? weeks with the injury. We and the Cubs really don’t know. At least he’s probably not out for the season.
The Cubs were already looking for a starter to replace Justin Steele and maybe they’ve found him in Cade Horton. But Taillon’s injury means the Cubs are still short a starter, at least until the trade deadline can hopefully bring another quality starter back to the North Side.
But until then, who do you think should fill in for Taillon? Saturday the Cubs went with a bullpen game and Drew Pomeranz got the start. But he only lasted a third of an inning. Chris Flexen took over for Pomeranz in the first inning and pitched 3.2 innings and gave up just one run, although he also gave up two runs inherited from Pomeranz.
On Sunday All-Star Matthew Boyd got the start in a win against the Cardinals, but Jordan Wicks came on in relief and pitched the next 3.1 innings without allowing a run.
So tonight I’m not asking who will be getting the starts in Taillon’s absence, but rather who would you give Taillon’s spot in the rotation to until a trade can be made. There are a few options as I see it:
- Chris Flexen. Flexen has been a starter throughout most of his career and started 30 games for the White Sox last year. He wasn’t particularly good, but he’s been very good in relief for the Cubs this year. Maybe he’s succeeding because he’s in the bullpen and not starting. Or maybe he’s discovered something to make him a better pitcher. Or maybe he’s just a better pitcher because he’s not on last season’s White Sox anymore.
- Jordan Wicks. Wicks has been frustrating in the rotation the past two seasons. He wasn’t great out of the bullpen earlier this year. But he was much better in his return to Iowa this year and was great on Sunday in long relief.
- Ben Brown. Brown got sent down to the minors two weeks ago after struggling in the majors. But he’s got the best pure stuff of anyone being considered at the moment and his FIP of 4.09 in the majors this year was a lot better than his ERA of 6.13. Maybe he just needs more chances.
- Bullpen. This would mean continuing with Pomeranz or Brad Keller or whomever who just pitches one or two innings and then continue with multiple relievers to get nine innings.
So whom would you go with to replace Taillon until a deal can be made?
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