Cubs News and Notes: Fly the W, Kimbrel to the IL, Contreras update, Elton Rizzo, more
Quinn Harris - USA Today Sports

Cubs News and Notes: Fly the W, Kimbrel to the IL, Contreras update, Elton Rizzo, more


by - Columnist -

Next Game: Today 7:05 PM: LHP Jon Lester (9-7, 3.86 ERA) vs LHP Brett Anderson (9-7, 4.04 ERA). (NBC Sports Chicago, MLB Network- out of market only)

Monday night's game recap:

If I live to be 100 (highly doubtful), I’ll never get used to seeing inter-league play. Nonetheless, the Cubs and Oakland began a three-game set last night at the Friendly Confines, as the Cubs continue their quest to remain in first place in the NL Central.

In my series preview, I predicted the Cubs would take two of the three, but that was written just before Craig Kimbrel was announced as being injured. Is there any do-overs? I think the Cubs can still beat Oakland without him (and without Willson Contreras, who’s now apparently worse than we thought), but they’re going to have to work for it.

With the temperature at an uncomfortably humid 88 degrees and with the wind blowing out, the Professor took to the mound to face LHP Chris Bassitt.

After Hendricks blazed through the first, the Cubs got an early 1-0 lead on this gem by, who else? Nicholas Castellanos- his first in blue pinstripes.

The A’s would take the lead in the third when Semien tagged Hendricks for a two-run homer to right. Cubs trail 2-1.

Javy came to the rescue in the sixth (454 feet). Game tied at two.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Cubs broke it open, starting with an absolute blast (474 foot) by Ian Happ, who was leading off the innings as a pinch hitter. I may not be Happ’s biggest fan, but I’ll always give credit when due, and this was a monster.

The Cubs weren’t quite done yet. After Jason Heyward singled, Nick Castellanos blasted an RBI double into left-center, scoring J-Hey. Two batters later, Javy did this:

Cubs lead 6-2.

Steve Cishek would unravel progress in a hurry, first giving up a double, then a two-run blast to Martini, then another dinger to the next batter (Semien). A total of 31 pitches later, the score was 6-4 (Cubs), and the A’s had the tying run on first, as Cishek walked the next batter. Joe Maddon finally got the novel idea to grab a new pitcher (Brandon Kintzler), as Oakland was now bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. Things got intense, but Kintzler held steady. Cubs lead 6-5 after 7-1/2 innings.

Going into the ninth, Craig Kimbrel should have emerged from the Cubs’ bullpen, but due to injury, it was instead, Kyle Ryan and David Phelps. This one just about got away from Phelps, but in the end, the Cubs would win it 6-5. (Rowan Wick earned the win; Phelps got the save.)

CUBS NEWS AND NOTES

Cubs/Athletics Probable Pitchers: Wednesday, 1:20 PM: LHP Jose Quintana (9-7, 4.40 ERA) vs RHP Homer Bailey (9-7, 5.20 ERA).

The Injury Bug Bites: Craig Kimbrel was sent to the IL yesterday (10-day) for right knee inflammation (Duane Underwood, Jr. was recalled).

Lest we forget, Pedro Strop is still on the IL, so look for Brandon Kintzler- or possibly Tyler Chatwood to become the closers. ESPN 1000’s Waddle and Silvy posted a poll on Twitter, asking who should now close for the Cubs during Kimbrel’s IL stint. Tyler Chatwood earned 18% of the vote, Steve Cishek 19%, and Brandon Kintzler and Rowan Wick tied at 32% (1774 total votes).

Then there’s Willson Contreras (now expected to miss approximately four weeks, due to a Grade-2 hamstring injury), and Kris Bryant- though not on the IL- yet- was still battling his knee issue.

On a positive note, Kyle Schwarber’s natural position is catching, and although he hasn’t done so since late 2017, he’s eager to get behind the plate.

In recent year’s past, the Cubs have been hesitant to us Schwarber behind the plate, worrying mostly about his past knee injury (ACL) and his speed out of the crouch, due to his “husky” build. Although he may be a little out of practice, playing behind the plate, Bam-Bam appears to be in great physical shape. He’s slimmed way down since 2017, and the knee has not caused any issues.

Although the trade deadline has passed, there are some catchers out there that the Cubs could sign (Jonathon Lucroy is a free agent, as is Nick Hundley). There were reports that Schwarbs was seen with a catcher’s mitt during practice yesterday. With Nick Castellanos in the lineup and Ian Happ available off the bench, the outfield has become crowded again, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Maddon give Schwarbs a shot at playing backstop. His bat has been intermittently golden, and he does have a shotgun arm. Still, his experience alone could outweigh the benefits that Taylor Davis can provide.

Yu: Yu Darvish has been a beast. The end.

Schedule Update: Those of you who live in blackout areas may benefit from the following:

Maddon on Castellanos: The other day, I shared a partial quote from Joe Maddon, about how Nick Castellanos was bringing hunger back to the Cubs. I’ve since learned that Joe had plenty more to say that same day: "He's reminding us what hunger looks like. This guy, he's really happy to be here and play in this ballpark, and he wants to get to the postseason badly. I love what he's doing. Every day, conversationally, his work — everything about him indicates 'Let's go; I want to play in October.' And I love it."

Cubs’ Notes: Jason Heyward is batting .331 with a .370 on-base percentage, a .598 slugging percentage and a .969 OPS in last 34 games since June 22. Heyward's .331 average in that span 4th in NL. Heyward's .825 OPS is 94 points higher than his .731 OPS in 2018.

Since June 6, left-handed hitters are 4-for-31 with no extra-base hits and just one walk vs. LHP Kyle Ryan. Ryan now has a 1.21 ERA during this 24-game stretch.

Brad Brach: As expected, former Cubs’ right-hander has cleared waivers and has been granted his release. Brach is now free to sign with whomever he wishes, as he is now a free agent.

Picture day: Ever try getting like 50 guys into one picture? Wide-angle lens please…

Elton Rizzo? Anthony Rizzo likes to “sing,” and he did so at Cole Hamels’ charity benefit on Sunday night. Rizz decided to try to tackle an Elton John song (emphasis on “tried”) **Note to self”- don’t go to karaoke with Rizz… Just kidding Rizz, you’re the best.

Baseball Quotes: “I throw as hard as I can when I think I have to throw as hard as I can.” -Walter Johnson

Cubs Birthdays: Celebrating yesterday, were ex-Cubs Tim Federowicz (32) and posthumously, Tony Jacobs (94) and Ralph "Rube" Novotney (95).

THIS WEEK’S NL CENTRAL SCHEDULE:

(Wins in green, losses in red)

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