Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Reds Thursday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2018-08-24T10:00:05-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/175258352018-08-24T10:00:05-05:002018-08-24T10:00:05-05:002018 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 126
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<figcaption>Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Cubs slug their way to second consecutive six run victory</p> <p id="5ywsAi">The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> bats kept it in gear for a second straight day. For the <span>Daniel Murphy</span> acquisition to mean as much as the <span>Cole Hamels</span> acquisition, this sort of thing would have to continue pretty much throughout the rest of the regular season. From what I saw around social media and here on Bleed Cubbie Blue, I was one of the optimistic people when the Cubs acquired Cole Hamels. And my optimism stretched all of the way to “he can give us five or six innings every time out and maybe have an occasional flashback to the good ol’ days start.”</p>
<p id="1jO9qv">This is to say that there were of course some people like me who understood that Hamels was likely to be an upgrade to a pitching staff who some had dreamed would be a historically great one before the season. But even those who did understand that have been completely and totally blown away by what the Cubs have gotten from Cole Hamels. He has been nothing short of amazing. A few more starts like he’s been having and people like me will be diving back into the record books and trying to remember just how amazing <span>Jake Arrieta</span> was in that magical second half he had. That is of course the most dominant stretch any of us have ever seen. If you didn’t see the statistic though, Cole Hamels is the first pitcher ever to go at least five innings and allow one run or fewer in his first five starts for a new team. Pretty neat.</p>
<p id="kdMXJ8">I try to think of the great in season acquisitions of all time. Rick Sutcliffe was acquired relatively early in the 1984 season and got about 20 starts with the Cubs on his way to winning a Cy Young. Cole will only make a little over half that many starts for this years Cubs. Kenny Lofton, <span>Aramis Ramirez</span> and <span>Randall Simon</span> come to mind from 2003. The three of them energized the Cubs down the stretch that year. Kenny had an .852 OPS and Aramis an .805. So the impact they brought was more about lengthening the lineup than being world beaters. Those two did indeed <em>almost</em> help propel that team to a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>. </p>
<p id="XdhP8z">Anyway, I’ll leave it for someone else to be the historian that identifies the best July/August acquisition the Cubs have ever made. I’m enjoying the heck out of watching Hamels work. I love that when he got here I saw people wondering if he’d make the playoff roster or pitch out of the pen. Now I see people wondering how he could possibly not start Game 1 of the playoffs. That’s a heck of a start to his Cubs career, one that I certainly hope stretches beyond 2018. But for now, I will do an extra tip of the cap. Not only did he throw a complete game shutout last night, he did it the night before the Cubs send a Triple-A pitcher to the mound. All of the Cubs high leverage relievers ended up being pressed into action Tuesday, so it’s a big help that they all got a night off ahead of <span>Alec Mills</span>’ first major league start. The Cubs will be free to use their bullpen as aggressively as need be today. The old Maddux effect. Providing benefits not only on the day when he’s pitching.</p>
<p id="3N1UZE">With that, we turn our attention to yesterday’s game as we look at what WPA had to say about Heroes and Goats. As always the Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA (Win Probability Added — <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/3/28/17159170/cubs-heroes-and-goats-2018-season-primer"><strong>here’s a good explanation of how WPA works</strong></a>) and are not in any way subjective. Many days WPA will not tell the story of what happened, but often it can give at least a glimpse to who rose to the occasion in a high leverage moment or who didn’t get the job done in that moment. Also note, for the purposes of Heroes and Goats, we ignore the results of pitchers while they are batting and hitters while they are pitching. With that, we get to the results.</p>
<p id="gzDqPz"><strong>Game 136, August 23 - Cubs win by six for the second straight day, 7-1 (73-53)</strong></p>
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<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=wins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2018-08-23&team=Cubs&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2018-08-23&team=Cubs&dh=0&season=2018">FanGraphs</a></span>
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<p id="RsmTas"><strong>THE THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
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<li id="avDwTk">
<strong>Superhero - </strong>Cole Hamels (.287). This is a thing now. Cole is five for five in reaching one of the Hero podiums in his first five starts as a Cub. At this pace, he would win the Superhero of the Year award for two months of work. He was dominant until the ninth inning and still escaped that inning unscathed. Eight hits, two walks, one run and seven strike outs. </li>
<li id="Ld9v1R">
<strong>Hero - </strong><span>Anthony Rizzo</span> (.227). Somebody’s on fire! Anthony just filled the box score yesterday, two hits, a walk, a sacrifice fly, three RBI, two runs scored. The sac fly was the only out Rizzo made yesterday. And I’ve largely glossed over that one of the two hits was a two-run home-run. </li>
<li id="LrkNFP">
<strong>Sidekick - </strong><span>Javier Baez</span> (.172). Javier Baez, destroyer of baseballs. And he plays some good defense as well. He had three more hits yesterday including the longest Cubs home run of the season. He also reached on an error and scored three runs. Overall he had three hits in five at bats. I haven’t done this in a while. Javy is seventh in the NL in WAR (third among position players), fifth in offensive WAR (I’m using bWAR), tied for first in slugging, tied for 10th in runs scored, tied for fourth in doubles, tied for second in triples, eighth in homers, first in RBI, seventh in stolen bases, first in extra base hits, seventh in stolen base percentage. Javier Baez, National League MVP.</li>
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<p id="YxN740"><strong>THE THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="xhwZsG">
<strong>Billy Goat - </strong><span>David Bote</span> (-.070). David’s going through one of those stretches everyone goes through. He was hitless in four at bats and struck out once.</li>
<li id="x09HrM">
<strong>Goat - </strong><span>Daniel Murphy</span> (-.051). A bit of an injustice that Daniel’s first H&G appearances is a two hit game that ends up in Goat spot. I’ll go out on a limb and say that if he continues to hit .400 as a Cub, he’ll find the positive side way more often than not.</li>
<li id="QwaQTz">
<strong>Kid - </strong><span>Kyle Schwarber</span> (-.050). Hitless in four at bats and two strike outs. I was hoping that the hot weekend in Pittsburgh would get him back in a groove, but not quite yet.</li>
</ul>
<p id="an3voa"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>With one out in the first, Javier Baez reached on an error and Anthony Rizzo followed with his two-run home-run to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead that turned out to be all of the runs the Cubs would need. (.174)</p>
<p id="XLLKQW">*<a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> Play of the Game: With two outs and runners on second and third, <span>Phillip Ervin</span> singled driving in a run. (.086)</p>
<p id="NLU7wm"><strong>Cumulative Leaders: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="f491cw">
<strong>Superhero - </strong><span>Pedro Strop</span> 22</li>
<li id="s1NuGt">
<strong>Hero - </strong>Javier Baez 20.5</li>
<li id="3YMa19">
<strong>Sidekick - </strong><span>Ben Zobrist</span> and Anthony Rizzo 16</li>
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<p id="1Xq5cU"><strong>Up Next: </strong>The Cubs will seek a third straight win this afternoon. They’ll send Alec Mills to the mound making his first major league start. He has appeared once for the Cubs this year, throwing two innings and striking out two without allowing any base runners. He had previously thrown 3⅓ innings for the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> over three games in 2016. He allowed three hits, five walks and five runs over those three appearances. He struck out four and hit a batter. Obviously, none of these numbers are any kind of sample size to derive meaning from. I remember being excited about acquiring Mills last year and being more excited about than Eddie Butler. Butler had some pretty interesting flashes for the Cubs over the last two years. Maybe against an ailing team, Mills can provide four or five innings of decent relief and keep the Cubs in the game.</p>
<p id="h65veo"><span>Matt Harvey</span> will be the Reds starter. He’s 6-7 with a 4.91 ERA. He’s 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA over his last seven starts. That’s some amazing consistency, though I don’t think anyone aims to consistently have a 4.91 ERA. Last time out he was very good against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> and collected a win. He threw 6⅓ innings, allowing only four hits, one walk and no runs. He struck out five. He pitched pretty well the start before that against the DBacks as well. So he is capable of a decent outing or two. Or he was really honed in trying to make a last push to get traded away from a team that is now 18 games out of first. Harvey has made two starts against the Cubs this year. He pitched pretty well both times and won one. He threw 11⅔ innings, allowing 14 hits, two walks, five runs (four earned) and struck out 10. The third time is the charm maybe?</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/8/24/17776912/2018-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-126Thomas Smith2018-08-24T08:00:09-05:002018-08-24T08:00:09-05:00Cubs 7, Reds 1: Masterpiece Theater, with your hosts Cole Hamels and Javier Baez
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<figcaption>Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs lefty and shortstop put on a pitching, hitting and fielding clinic Thursday evening.</p> <p id="y4fQ2e">When the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> acquired <span>Cole Hamels</span> to help shore up their battered starting rotation, I don’t think anyone anticipated him turning into the 2018 version of 2017 <span>Justin Verlander</span>.</p>
<p id="7IxOpU">Maybe it’s still a bit early to make that pronouncement, but a refreshed and rejuvenated Hamels threw the Cubs’ first complete game of the season, a gem of a <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2018_08_23_cinmlb_chnmlb_1">7-1 win over the Reds</a> finished off with a double play.</p>
<p id="NkjWw1">It was the Cubs’ first complete game since <span>Jose Quintana</span> shut out the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL201709240.shtml">September 24, 2017 at Miller Park</a>. It was the first Cubs complete game at Wrigley Field since <span>Jon Lester</span> did it against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201705230.shtml">May 23, 2017</a>, 15 months and 253 games ago. And it was just the 36th complete game by anyone in the major leagues in 2018.</p>
<p id="NGAppW">Hamels gave up a run in the first inning, but it wasn’t all his fault. A catchable baseball dropped in center field for a leadoff double by <span>Billy Hamilton</span>, and with two out and runners on first and third, <span>Daniel Murphy</span> made a great stop on a grounder by <span>Phillip Ervin</span>, but threw high to first base and a run scored.</p>
<p id="m4y0bT">So, the Cubs would just have to come from behind again. They wasted no time doing so. <span>Javier Baez</span> reached on a throwing error and <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/rizzos-2-run-homer/c-2420010583?tid=281922772">that brought up Anthony Rizzo [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="XNArLG">Just like that, it’s 2-1 Cubs, a lead they would not relinquish. More on Rizzo, who was 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored and three RBI:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anthony Rizzo this season<br>Before May 1 (18 games): .149/.259/.189, 1 HR, 9 RBI<br>Since (98 games): .295/.388/.518, 20 HR, 74 RBI<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a></p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1032822564052258817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<p id="Yhw3Jv">So after a month where he looked totally lost at the plate, since May 1 Rizzo’s basically been the guy he has been for the last five years.</p>
<p id="dW4cun">Hamels breezed through the next two innings, allowing just one hit, and with one out in the third, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/statcast-baezs-481-ft-hr/c-2420253283?tid=240568594">Javy stepped to the plate [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="cqMeXZ"></p>
<p id="fxs3IO">That one landed on the back concourse next to the left-field porch, according to this:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cubs</a> Baez with a blast out to left center but the staircase in the back of the bleachers got in the way .... no Waveland :/ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/misseditbythatmuch?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#misseditbythatmuch</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wrigley?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wrigley</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cubs</a> <a href="https://t.co/D7ecqoa0Yv">pic.twitter.com/D7ecqoa0Yv</a></p>— BALLHAWK.NET (@Super_Dave) <a href="https://twitter.com/Super_Dave/status/1032799592302170113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<p id="IDZPxr">And here are the numbers on that titanic blast:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Baez's HR is the longest at Wrigley Field this season and 3rd longest at Wrigley since <a href="https://twitter.com/statcast?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@statcast</a> began measuring in 2015. Bryant hit 495 ft HR on Sept. 6, 2015; Contreras hit 491 ft HR in playoffs last Oct. 18. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a></p>— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/1032795738424729600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<p id="kP4EHR">Hamels only seemed to get stronger as the game went on. He issued a walk in the fourth but the runner was erased on a double play. In the fifth Hamilton singled with two out, but <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/hamels-picks-off-hamilton/c-2420169683">Hamels picked him off [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="s5tgBn"></p>
<p id="RT6Dpp">Now that’s also something the Cubs haven’t done well this year up to now — execute a rundown play with a minimum of throws.</p>
<p id="2eR9E0">A double by Baez with one out in the fifth led to him stealing third uncontested. He scored on a Rizzo sacrifice fly to make it 4-1. Hamels allowed another single in the sixth, but ended the inning with a double play <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/cubs-turn-2-on-review/c-2420209683?tid=63817564">that needed review to finish off the frame [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="Z8TBI3"></p>
<p id="LX8Tz5">This is the kind of play that review seems designed for. As you can see, that one wasn’t really close at all, and the umpires were on the headsets with New York for less than a minute before the call on the field was overturned.</p>
<p id="BIof9a">The seventh inning went 1-2-3 for Hamels, but only because of some <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/baezs-stellar-leaping-snag/c-2420263983?tid=51231442">Javy El Mago magic [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="fqwXx0"></p>
<p id="hhaJvc">What more can you say about Javy? He just acts on incredible baseball instincts. I don’t think any other shortstop — save maybe <span>Francisco Lindor</span> or <span>Carlos Correa</span> — even comes close to making that play.</p>
<p id="OdNhOU">The Cubs put the game away in the last of the seventh. Murphy singled, went to second on a groundout and scored on a single by <span>Ben Zobrist</span> after Rizzo was intentionally passed. One out later, <span>Ian Happ</span> walked to load the bases and <span>Victor Caratini</span> <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/caratinis-2-run-single/c-2420310083">singled up the middle to make it 7-1 [VIDEO]</a>, though Happ was then thrown out trying take third.</p>
<p id="u9bz0j">Hamels batted leading off the eighth to a warm ovation, and though the Cubs put two runners on base, there was no further scoring.</p>
<p id="pLo9Yb">Another round of applause greeted Hamels as he took the mound for the ninth. A ground ball to Baez by <span>Jose Peraza</span> turned into an infield hit. There are times, I think, where Javy takes just a little too much time throwing what should be a routine out. Most of the time he’s good enough to get the runner. Not this time, and Peraza had an infield hit. </p>
<p id="OhmC33">Hamels walked <span>Scooter Gennett</span>, and that brought Jim Hickey out for a brief discussion. Hamels was at 97 pitches at this point. He struck out <span>Eugenio Suarez</span> for the first out, but then Ervin singled to load the bases.</p>
<p id="9YmrKg"><span>Jesse Chavez</span> had started getting loose after Hickey’s mound visit, and you could tell that if Hamels didn’t get <span>Tucker Barnhart</span>, he was going to be lifted.</p>
<p id="wbkdnA">Fortunately, Hamels got Barnhart to hit a sharp grounder right to <span>David Bote</span> at third. Bote stepped on third and <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/hamels-finishes-complete-game/c-2420409883">threw to first [VIDEO]</a> for a game-ending double play, Hamels completing his masterpiece with 117 pitches (76 strikes).</p>
<p id="TbMSSO">About Hamels:</p>
<div id="adPqJa">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cole Hamels this season<br><br>10 starts with 3+ earned runs with Rangers<br>3 earned runs COMBINED in 5 starts with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a></p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1032819403409252353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cole Hamels in 5 starts with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a>:<br>0.79 ERA, 34.0 IP, 24 Hits, 8 Walks, 30 Strikeouts, 0 HR, 0.941 WHIP</p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1032819042120294400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> Cole Hamels is the first in season acquisition to allow one run or fewer in each of his first five starts with his new team since Lee Meadows—who was dealt from the Cardinals to the Phillies—in 1919.</p>— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) <a href="https://twitter.com/theaceofspaeder/status/1032854653917192192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<div id="vmA9mn">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hamels comparing his last few starts with Rangers to now with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a>: "To be a Major League pitcher, you're going to have some tough times. You can't give in. You have to fight. That's what it's all about, about trying to be the best."</p>— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/1032835855084400641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<p id="Bouso1">Hamels has certainly been just about “the best” since he came to the Cubs. He looks like the guy who helped lead the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> to a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> title... 10 years ago. Who knows? Maybe he can help do that again here. <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/hamels-on-his-complete-game/c-2420550383">Here’s Hamels’ postgame live TV interview [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="Y87Wnv"><div style="max-width: 960px;"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.mlb.com/video/share/hamels-on-his-complete-game/c-2420550383" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="NXHuhP"></p>
<p id="kxtoOw">About Javy:</p>
<div id="YzkfK3">
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<p lang="da" dir="ltr">Javier Báez<br>Last 4 games: 9 for 19, 2 HR, 0 strikeouts<br>Prev. 10 games: 5 for 38, 0 HR, 11 strikeouts<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a></p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1032820233830952961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> Maddon on Baez's 481-foot HR: "Schwarber was standing next to me and said, 'God, that ball was 500 feet.' Guys who play out there and are hitting, they realize it. He said, 'I don't think I've seen a ball go up there.' I didn't realize it was that far but it came off hot"</p>— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/1032832999597985792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<div id="O9m2LL">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> Baez on his HR: "I think that was one of my dreams, to hit a ball like that with the wind blowing out. Finally, we got it."</p>— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/1032833760654503938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<p id="1m1xmJ">The whole game was the sort of game we’ve come to expect from the Cubs as contenders and a postseason team over the last three years. <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-reds-20180823-story.html">Here’s Rizzo’s take on that and on Joe Maddon’s “American Legion Week”:</a></p>
<blockquote><p id="zHKJyc">“Being home refuels this team,” said Rizzo, who often takes advantage of arriving later than usual to games during Legion week. “It’s going to pay huge dividends.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="8tvLA8">Let’s hope he’s right. This homestand could be a time where the Cubs go on that run we’ve all been waiting for. The win gave the Cubs an additional half game on the idle <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> and Brewers. They now lead St. Louis by three games and Milwaukee by 3½ going into Friday’s action.</p>
<p id="3aO2qc">And so, after a game this good, the complaint department is locked and bolted shut. Well done by everyone involved.</p>
<p id="0mQNlR"><span>Alec Mills</span> will be recalled from Triple-A Iowa to start Friday against the Reds. The Cubs will have to make a roster move to make room before the game. It’s possible <span>Dillon Maples</span>, who was called up Thursday but along with the rest of his bullpen mates got the night off thanks to Hamels, will go back, or it could be <span>Randy Rosario</span> optioned back to Iowa. Mills will face Reds righthander <span>Matt Harvey</span> at 1:20 p.m., <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-87.6556883007288&lat=41.948360102635405#.W3_hdJNKjmI">weather permitting</a>. TV coverage Friday will be via NBC Sports Chicago. And one note about Harvey:</p>
<div id="CnvXKk">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: Brewers are the team that got the claim on Matt Harvey. They have 5 hours, 18 minutes to go before their deadline for this trade (deadline is 1:30 et)</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1032963843029434369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2018</a>
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<p id="OyWAir">So... it’s entirely possible Harvey gets traded before today’s game and the Reds will start someone else. As always, we await developments.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/8/24/17776714/cubs-reds-recap-cole-hamels-javier-baez-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2018-08-23T21:05:02-05:002018-08-23T21:05:02-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Reds, Thursday 8/23, 7:05 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2dzK5FDYKiLYl19q8Pv-yvyySOY=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60993265/usa_today_11118427.1535031082.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="tw0vur">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/8/23/17761728/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-reds-thursday-8-23-7-05-ctAl Yellon2018-08-23T20:05:02-05:002018-08-23T20:05:02-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Reds, Thursday 8/23, 7:05 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/avaiMV6MGHO8tmNM83dSZOm27jk=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60993283/usa_today_11118395.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="tw0vur">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/8/23/17761722/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-reds-thursday-8-23-7-05-ctAl Yellon2018-08-23T19:00:02-05:002018-08-23T19:00:02-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Reds, Thursday 8/23, 7:05 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="DApHWg">Go get ‘em, Cole.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/8/23/17761692/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-reds-thursday-8-23-7-05-ctAl Yellon2018-08-23T17:00:02-05:002018-08-23T17:00:02-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds preview, Thursday 8/23, 7:05 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/INgo6FRuJAbbvERYGdgems3nFrQ=/0x0:2349x1566/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60993249/usa_today_11118403.1535055113.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs begin a seven-game homestand this evening.</p> <p id="9i8MGR">Thursday notes:</p>
<ul>
<li id="lvgvgs">The three-run inning the Cubs posted Wednesday in the fifth inning snapped a streak of 55 consecutive innings with one or no runs scored dating to the fifth inning, August 15 vs. the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>.</li>
<li id="RzaeEI">
<span>Daniel Murphy</span>’s RBI single in that inning broke a stretch of 30 at-bats without a hit with RISP for the Cubs, tied for the longest such streak in the majors this season with the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>. (H/T: STATS Inc.)</li>
<li id="AFbwWj">More on Cole Hamels below, but here’s a fun fact: Hamels is looking to become just the sixth qualifying Cub to go unbeaten in August with a sub-1.00 ERA for the month, and the first since <span>Jake Arrieta</span> in 2015 (6-0, 0.43 ERA). Prior to Arrieta, <span>Mark Prior</span> did it in 2003 (5-0, 0.69). Hamels should have one more start this month after tonight, likely Tuesday against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>.</li>
<li id="fN2HIy">The Cubs have homered in a season-high seven straight games dating to August 15 vs. Milwaukee, with 10 homers during this run (seven solo shots, two two-run homers and one three-run shot). The last such Cubs streak of at least eight straight games was an 11-game streak, Sept. 24, 2017-March 31, 2018, and the last such streak in a single season was 10 games, August 16-26, 2016.</li>
<li id="tORMHg">The Cubs’ .623 home winning percentage (38-23) ranks second in the N.L. behind the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> (41-22, .651) and fourth-best in the majors, also behind the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> (45-18, .714) and the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> (45-20, .692). The Cubs have played 61 home games to date, tied for the third-fewest in MLB.</li>
</ul>
<p id="NWMU30">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="q5G8aU"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="oHBnOO">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup against the Reds. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EverybodyIn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EverybodyIn</a><br><br>Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTubeTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YouTubeTV</a>: <a href="https://t.co/GX8tALpuaa">https://t.co/GX8tALpuaa</a> <a href="https://t.co/MMANQxYc23">pic.twitter.com/MMANQxYc23</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1032720924875862019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2018</a>
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<p id="h3B8bc"><a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="rmPcm8">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Disco kicks off a four-game series at the Friendly Confines as the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reds</a> clash with the Cubbies. <a href="https://t.co/sXUXFM3NwY">pic.twitter.com/sXUXFM3NwY</a></p>— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) <a href="https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1032718846933618688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2018</a>
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<h2 id="dtCJmS">
<span>Cole Hamels</span>, LHP vs. <span>Anthony DeSclafani</span>, RHP</h2>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7MrinlbXhhVWrXzWLhpgBRYwVwo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/12445757/hamels.jpg">
<cite>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NEwuH3-JVAnwO65VgqdErC1F09I=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/12445837/usa_today_10737626.jpg">
<cite>Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="VvthUp">Cole Hamels has been lights-out since he came to the Cubs. Factors include getting out of Globe Life Park, where he (and other <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> pitchers) were awful this year, and getting back into a pennant race.</p>
<p id="VESvpb">Hamels last faced the Reds <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX201606220.shtml">June 22, 2016</a>, but a lot of those guys aren’t on the Reds now. He threw six innings and allowed one run, which would be just fine with me tonight.</p>
<p id="nf0h37">Current Reds are a small sample size 6-for-32 (.188) against Hamels with eight strikeouts and no home runs. That might be a better predictor of tonight’s results, despite the small sample size.</p>
<p id="oZ6K1x">Anthony DeSclafani missed all of last year and part of 2018 with elbow and oblique injuries. He’s thrown pretty well in 13 starts this year, including <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN201806230.shtml">June 23 at GABP</a> against the Cubs: 6⅓ innings, two runs. </p>
<p id="HRoNdv">He’s been very good this month: three starts. 0.83 ERA, at least seven innings in all three. He shut down a pretty good hitting <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> team August 10, with seven shutout innings.</p>
<p id="V9a0xx">Today’s game is on NBC Sports Chicago. It’s also on MLB Network (outside the Chicago and Cincinnati markets).</p>
<p id="47IVCe"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2018/08/23">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="Xe5URc"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2018_08_23_cinmlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2018/CHN201808230.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/536827/pregame">SB Nation game preview</a></p>
<p id="c01E3n">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> site <a href="http://www.redreporter.com/">Red Reporter</a>. If you do go there to interact with Reds fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p id="4R9cxt">The 2018 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used during 2017. Here’s how it works.</p>
<p id="uNrOo7">You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p id="Jy7Er2">At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads” so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). They will also appear in the game’s StoryStream as noted above.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p id="uZjqQy">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/8/23/17703232/chicago-cubs-cincinnati-reds-preview-thursdayAl Yellon