Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Angels Saturday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2019-04-14T11:00:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/180726382019-04-14T11:00:00-05:002019-04-14T11:00:00-05:002019 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 14
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jbFoNxzihXO99KI2xCWmVAYlpI8=/329x82:2752x1697/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63406746/usa_today_12527120.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A duel between two teams desperately trying to lose a game</p> <p id="6sULMw">It’s possible I use the phrase train wreck too often. That’s my instinct for describing Saturday’s game. But that’s what this was. It was a slow moving train derailment. The insanity started in the first inning and whatever the heck <span>Justin Bour</span>’s play was, what with him basically calling himself out on a close play (when the umpire had called him safe). And it didn’t end until the final moments of the game when an umpire decided to end the game on a judgment call. </p>
<p id="U8qDFK">It is always unfortunate when a game ends on a judgment call. As someone who did some amateur umpiring, I can say that you never want to see the game end with umpire’s discretion. You want to be part of the background. But no, this one ended on a very close call. I do think he got it wrong, but it should never come down to that. </p>
<p id="2BQ2yX">For all of the angst and animosity, the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> team that took the field was not a particularly good one. It was a team that the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> should beat. But, the Cubs simply didn’t play well. <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> allowed six consecutive Angels to reach base starting with Bour in the first. Five of them were singles and the other was old pal <span>Tommy La Stella</span> doing his swing at the glove trick that somehow keeps working. The Angels had a sixth-inning rally that produced two runs on only one hit. All the more frustrating, the hit came first. It was then followed by four walks in the inning. </p>
<p id="kPmie6">Was it in the post mortem for the 2017 season that the front office talked about attacking the strike zone and not walking so many hitters? Here we are in 2019 and this remains a problem. It’s hard to argue taking out a struggling Kyle Hendricks until you watch the bullpen struggle to survive the last four innings against a subpar offensive Angels team. </p>
<p id="EATJs7">This is the third consecutive Cubs loss that was defined by a starting pitcher who was effective in shutting down the Cubs through swings and misses and weak contact and then finished by a closer recording more than three outs to end the game. At least this time, the Cubs bats mustered some offense against Angels closer Cody Allen. But in the end, they came up short. Again. </p>
<p id="qhUkv6">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">here’s a good explanation of how WPA works</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="REvWas"><strong>Game 14, April 13: </strong>Cubs 5, Angels 6 (5-9)</p>
<div id="7A3QRh">
<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2019-04-13&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/livewins.aspx?date=2019-04-13&team=Cubs&dh=0&season=2019">FanGraphs</a></span>
</div>
<p id="hbpZD0"><strong>THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="ERAixz">
<strong>Superhero: </strong><span>Javier Baez</span> (.387). Javy’s superhero skill is becoming incorporeal. I have no idea how he wasn’t out at second on his final double of the day. Javy had three doubles in five at bats. He drove in two runs. Unfortunately, he didn’t score one.</li>
<li id="yseoOq">
<strong>Hero: </strong><span>Jason Heyward</span> (.281). Obviously Jason is not going to finish the season with the numbers he’s putting up. But if this blistering start is not a mirage, I’m not sure I can think of anyone ever I’d be happier for. I can’t even imagine how it is possible to struggle for three full years and then turn it around like this. Jason had two hits, a walk, and a very strange sacrifice fly/error play that gave the Cubs hope. </li>
<li id="3PtP9Q">
<strong>Sidekick: </strong><span>Mark Zagunis</span> (.082). Mark had quite an at-bat in the eighth inning and it ended with a two-run single. It’s a small sample size, but it appears that Mark’s bat is ready to play at the big-league level.</li>
</ul>
<p id="eDJIDy"><strong>THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="Hq4XoX">
<strong>Billy Goat: </strong><span>Willson Contreras</span> (-.413). From the Sidekick spot to the Billy Goat spot. Things can turn abruptly from one day to the next. Willson had just one infield single in five at bats. He struck out three times including a devastating one that I’ll talk more about below.</li>
<li id="1zUrgA">
<strong>Goat: </strong><span>Kyle Schwarber</span> (-.305). I basically only watch the Cubs, but at least as far as Cubs game go, no one has more judgment calls go against them than Kyle does. That said, Kyle’s in a horrible slump. Maybe the breakout season everyone is calling for is coming, but he had another rough day at the plate. He had one walk in five plate appearances and struck out twice. </li>
<li id="PSF5PY">
<strong>Kid: </strong><span>Daniel Descalso</span> (-.155). The Cubs had nine hits and seven walks in this one. They had traffic all day long, but just couldn’t cash in enough times. Daniel struck out to end the eighth with runner on first and second and the Cubs down two. He had one hit in five at bats and struck out twice. </li>
</ul>
<p id="Et7Q5A"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>Kyle Schwarber’s game ending strikeout got all of the publicity, but the devastating one was Willson Contreras immediately before it. The Angels pulled the infield in with a 6-5 lead and one out in the ninth. Any kind of fly ball had a very good chance of producing a run with Javier Baez on third. Additionally, a hard grounder was probably going to win the game absent a strong fielding play from the Angels. Plan C then would be working a deep count against a pitcher who appeared to be content to work around Contreras. Maybe, Allen would bounce one or something that could get away and let Baez come home. Instead, Willson flailed at three straight pitches out of the zone for the all important second out. (.298)</p>
<p id="tgaAQA">*Cubs Play of the Game: With runners on second and third, one out and the Cubs losing 6-4, Jason Heyward was at the plate. He popped one down the left field line that was possibly going to be a foul ball. Angels left fielder <span>Brian Goodwin</span> tried to make a sliding catch only had it to bounce off of his glove. Heyward made it all of the way to second and one run scored. (.254)</p>
<p id="qcOmQr"><strong>Cumulative Standings Top/Bottom 3:</strong></p>
<p id="AxVN1F">(* = injured list; # = returned to minors)</p>
<ul>
<li id="HKwPDr">
<span>Ben Zobrist</span> 11</li>
<li id="1N5Oby">Jason Heyward 8</li>
<li id="LOJ0uZ">*<span>Victor Caratini</span>/<span>Anthony Rizzo</span>/Javier Baez 4</li>
<li id="keVAhp">
<span>Yu Darvish</span>/<span>Kris Bryant</span> -5</li>
<li id="gfQsUD">Kyle Hendricks -6</li>
<li id="D2uCEf">#<span>Carl Edwards Jr.</span> -8</li>
</ul>
<p id="dWbRif"><strong>Up Next: </strong>For what it’s worth, I’ll cover the pitching matchup for the third and final scheduled game of this series. The Cubs will try to win their second straight series to start their home season. The Angels will be looking for their eighth win in nine tries. </p>
<p id="O3b8bX">The Cubs have <span>Tyler Chatwood</span> filling in for the injured Jon Lester. Tyler has thrown six innings over four appearances so far this year. He’s allowed six hits, five walks and four runs. That follows a 2018 season that saw him go 4-6 with a 5.30 ERA and walk a staggering 95 batters in 103⅔ innings. He lead the majors with that number despite 134 pitchers throwing more innings than he did. <span>Lucas Giolito</span>, who finished second with 90 walks, threw 69⅔ innings more than Chatwood. On a cold day with precipitation expected, what could go wrong? Oh, and six of the Cubs eight relievers threw on Saturday.</p>
<p id="Ftkc43">Ex-Cub <span>Trevor Cahill</span> will be the opposition. He’s made three starts already for the Angels and he is 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA. He’s struck out 16 batters in 18 innings. Last time out, he threw six innings in a 5-2 win over the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>. He allowed two runs on five hits while striking out eight. Trevor has made five appearances in his career against the Cubs including four starts. He is 3-1 with a 4.00 ERA in 27 innings of work. Despite this being a depleted Angels team without <span>Mike Trout</span>, I’m not sure this a game the Cubs want to see played. </p>
<div id="CXEyhS"><div data-anthem-component="poll:6051582"></div></div>
<p id="m1o0Ar"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/14/18309862/2019-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-14Thomas Smith2019-04-13T18:30:00-05:002019-04-13T18:30:00-05:00Angels 6, Cubs 5: Kyle Schwarber says, ‘Bring on the robot umpires!’
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0_964O2vR2WAs3zaui3uyJR9I44=/0x649:3712x3124/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63405611/1142501976.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The game-ending call was ridiculous.</p> <p id="ndlAow">It’s really a shame when a game ends on a poorly-made judgment call by an umpire.</p>
<p id="YyzOAG"><a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2019_04_13_anamlb_chnmlb_1">The Cubs lost 6-5 to the Angels</a>, and if you didn’t see it, <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-04/13/3e42cd63-6d0023e9-d6ce791c-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">here’s what I’m talking about [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="BdVRWF"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-04/13/3e42cd63-6d0023e9-d6ce791c-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="uNbFyj"></p>
<p id="fquuB8">No, Gabe Morales, that’s not a swing. Plate umpire Jerry Meals didn’t call it a swing. <span>Kyle Schwarber</span> thought he’d walked, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Schwarber that angry, and justifiably so. Give credit to <span>Javier Baez</span> for holding back Kyle from charging at Morales, otherwise we’d probably be looking at a suspension for Schwarber.</p>
<p id="KbvtAP">And if you don’t believe me or that video, check this out:</p>
<div id="nXZm2l">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Schwarber's main issue was that his first checked swing on Allen's first pitch was called a ball. Then the checked swing on the 3-2 curve was called a strikeout. Here's a look at the available side views for both pitches. The closeup is the last pitch. <a href="https://t.co/HvSWWA0bvR">pic.twitter.com/HvSWWA0bvR</a></p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1117207017360433154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="rgIMU7">Now. The thing is, the Cubs should never have been in the situation they were in the bottom of the ninth, with the tying and winning runs on base and Schwarber at bat with two out. I mean, sure, it was an exciting comeback, but:</p>
<ul>
<li id="jdeuZ4">The Cubs squandered multiple run-scoring opportunities earlier, leaving RISP in the first, third, fifth and eighth innings, and</li>
<li id="jLb2xL">STOP WITH THE WALKS ALREADY! Eight Cubs walks, including two with the bases loaded in the Angels sixth inning, sealed the Cubs’ fate in this one. I mean... <span>Kyle Ryan</span> almost walked Angels closer <span>Cody Allen</span>, who was having his first major-league at-bat and first of any kind since 2011.</li>
</ul>
<p id="czQ8LN">Let’s unpack the rest of this game. <span>Kyle Hendricks</span>, for once, didn’t give up a run in the first inning. Part of that was because of <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-04/13/c09af0ca-05e6b3a1-2d798de0-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">this bizarre inning-ending play [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="ioaISY"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-04/13/c09af0ca-05e6b3a1-2d798de0-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="IpaVVu"></p>
<p id="MIgSGR">Here’s the best description of that play:</p>
<div id="349WCf">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bour singles, runs past 1B. Dives back in as throw from Zobrist hits him, skips away. He gets up and tries for second. Contreras gets ball, fires to Baez who applies tag. Bour called safe. Baez wanted a replay, but wait! Bour starts walking to dugout, Baez tags him. Inning over.</p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1117132045887655936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="D6EUZ5">The ball actually hit Bour in the foot, starting that sequence of events. And yes:</p>
<div id="T4oMlM">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now that's a TOOTBLAN if I've ever seen one.</p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1117132184920514561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="cSOWy2">The Angels scored three in the second, after Hendricks allowed three straight hits and <span>Tommy La Stella</span> did something that he was good at as a Cub, reached on catcher’s interference. That was the third time this year — and we are only in game 14! — that <span>Willson Contreras</span> has been called for CI, and he joins this club he probably never wanted to be a part of:</p>
<div id="6G7gZu">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The only Cubs catchers on record with 3 catcher's interference calls against them in the same season:<br><br>Willson Contreras (2019)<br>Barry Foote (1979)<br>Vic Roznovsky (1965)</p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1117143486665560068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="K3IXjk">The Cubs got a run back on a Baez double in the third, and a second run on another Baez double in the fifth, making the score 3-2. They might have scored more, had <span>Daniel Descalso</span>, who had walked leading off the inning, not been thrown out trying to steal after <span>Ben Zobrist</span> struck out.</p>
<p id="6MdqMb">So it’s 3-2, a deficit that the Cubs could overcome, entering the sixth, and Joe had seen enough of Hendricks, who had thrown 87 pitches. <span>Brad Brach</span> entered the game, allowed a one-out single, and then stopped throwing strikes. He loaded the bases on walks, got a second out, then issued a bases-loaded walk to pinch-hitter <span>Albert Pujols</span>, making it 4-2.</p>
<p id="9CB2fB">Think about that. Pujols has now played 92 games and had 400 plate appearances at Wrigley Field, and that could be the last one... and it’s a walk.</p>
<p id="q1vATu">Another walk issued, by <span>Tim Collins</span> leading off the eighth, helped lead to the Angels’ sixth run, the difference in the game.</p>
<p id="PuP4NH">The Cubs put two across in the bottom of that inning. <span>Jason Heyward</span>, who’s having a fine season so far, doubled and Contreras singled him to third. An out and a walk later, the bases were loaded for <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-04/13/0849ce78-c8c65857-7a493157-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">pinch-hitter Mark Zagunis [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="1rohn6"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-04/13/0849ce78-c8c65857-7a493157-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="YYv8yp"></p>
<p id="OrwijQ">I wish that video showed that entire at-bat, because it was a terrific one, probably the best by anyone in this game. Here’s the pitch sequence:</p>
<div id="Scz8Yh">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's a look at Zagunis' fantastic pinch-hit at-bat in the 8th. <a href="https://t.co/oMdqF3tAe6">pic.twitter.com/oMdqF3tAe6</a></p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1117182435320582144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="mXgcqU">Zagunis has become known for his plate discipline, and he showed it there, taking a couple of really close pitches for balls and fouling off a couple more really good fastballs before his two-run single made it 6-4.</p>
<p id="UUENNq">Ryan walked Bour leading off the ninth, then recorded a pair of outs, one of which advanced Bour to second. An intentional pass was granted to force the Angels to send Allen to bat.</p>
<p id="8uIRqQ">Now, seriously. Here is a relief pitcher who has never batted in the big leagues. Why would you not just throw him strikes? The count was run full — and the pitches out of the zone weren’t close! — until Ryan finally struck Allen out.</p>
<p id="a0tEjR">There’s far too much nibbling from this pitching staff. The eight walks Saturday give the Cubs staff 67 for the season in 14 games, averaging more than four per game. That number leads the major leagues. It’s going to have to change.</p>
<p id="qXkpnr">The Cubs didn’t quit. With one out in the ninth, <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> walked and was doubled to third by Baez, his third double of the game. Fun fact time!</p>
<div id="yczcJC">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">First by a Cubs Shortstop since Ryan Theriot 5/25/2009<a href="https://t.co/zcMMETJF5S">https://t.co/zcMMETJF5S</a></p>— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) <a href="https://twitter.com/ckamka/status/1117189226687344640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="154kEJ"><a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-04/13/edb1cbd4-6707d592-3cff61d9-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Heyward then hit a pop fly down the left-field line [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="OtYMWP"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-04/13/edb1cbd4-6707d592-3cff61d9-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="KGtYDt"></p>
<p id="CR10V3">The ball was dropped by <span>Brian Goodwin</span>, touched in fair territory. Heyward was given a sac fly as Rizzo scored, and wound up on second base, with Baez to third. The tying and winning runs, then, were in scoring position with one out. But Contreras struck out and that brought up Schwarber, and that’s where we came in.</p>
<p id="PVgJVK">Robot umpires wouldn’t necessarily obviate judgment calls like the one Morales made on Schwarber, but it was clear to just about everyone else in the ballpark besides Morales that Schwarber didn’t swing. A walk would have loaded the bases for <span>David Bote</span>, who thrives on situations like that. It might have been a thrilling comeback win. Instead, it’s a tough loss.</p>
<p id="XSw8sM">I do not expect baseball to be played at Wrigley Field Sunday. No call has been made about the game at this writing, but not long before Saturday’s game ended the National Weather Service issued <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=ILZ014&warncounty=ILC031&firewxzone=ILZ014&local_place1=5%20Miles%20SSE%20Lincolnwood%20IL&product1=Special+Weather+Statement&lat=41.9448&lon=-87.6806">this Special Weather Statement</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="l5jl8y">A strong spring storm system will likely bring an accumulation of very wet and slushy snow to portions of northern Illinois and extreme northwest Indiana on Sunday. The heaviest snowfall rates are expected to occur from a bit prior to sunrise through mid day or the early afternoon, with lower intensities during the afternoon. The snow will end by early evening. There will likely be a fairly narrow band where these heavy snowfall rates of up to one inch per hour are most persistent. Exactly where this sets up, two to four inches of accumulation are likely on colder or elevated surfaces, with locally higher amounts possible.</p>
<p id="XU5gfn">With warm road temperatures and the strong April sun, roads will likely be mainly wet most of the time. However, it`s possible that some slush may cover bridges or overpasses and less traveled roadways during the heaviest snowfall. While overall lack of accumulation on roads may limit the magnitude of travel impacts, visibility will likely be sharply reduced at times. In addition, northerly winds gusting up to 25 to 35 mph could plaster the very wet and heavy snow onto elevated surfaces, including tree branches, so minor tree damage is possible. Motorists are advised to prepare for potentially adverse travel conditions on Sunday. Continue to stay tuned for the latest forecast updates.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="Qe21yN">I mean... that doesn’t sound conducive to baseball at all. There is a mutual off day for the Cubs and Angels, Monday, August 26, that would work out reasonably well for a makeup date. Let’s hope the Cubs and MLB do the right thing and call Sunday’s game off early so that no one is inconvenienced and the players get a full day off. I fully admit I was incorrect on my call for the team to postpone Wednesday and/or Thursday, but this situation appears to be quite different. I will keep you posted on this site tonight or tomorrow morning with details.</p>
<p id="II3QzH">If they somehow do play, ex-Angel <span>Tyler Chatwood</span> will start for the Cubs and ex-Cub <span>Trevor Cahill</span> goes for the Angels. Scheduled game time Sunday is 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage would be via WGN.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/13/18309678/cubs-angels-recap-javier-baez-kyle-schwarber-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2019-04-13T16:05:00-05:002019-04-13T16:05:00-05:00Overflow thread 3: Cubs vs. Angels, Saturday 4/13, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cf1gnAE5mtxLn5eyh8TgTexHgwM=/0x0:3045x2030/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63401982/usa_today_12521456.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="YgP6xz">Go get ‘em, Kyle. </p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/13/18308594/overflow-thread-3-cubs-vs-angels-saturday-4-13-1-20-ctAl Yellon2019-04-13T15:20:00-05:002019-04-13T15:20:00-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Angels, Saturday 4/13, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d6zAYsY4ltjkfJViDyTqTkL0uSs=/0x0:4105x2737/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63401978/usa_today_12521490.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="YgP6xz">Go get ‘em, Kyle. </p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/13/18308591/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-angels-saturday-4-13-1-20-ctAl Yellon2019-04-13T14:20:00-05:002019-04-13T14:20:00-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Angels, Saturday 4/13, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T5wVBJ-AHQk3yTtJv75IzkTwsLo=/0x0:5044x3363/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63401970/1142299119.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="YgP6xz">Go get ‘em, Kyle. </p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/13/18308590/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-angels-saturday-4-13-1-20-ctAl Yellon2019-04-13T13:15:00-05:002019-04-13T13:15:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Angels, Saturday 4/13, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eXFgWIphkFpISk0_NoR6WNP_QBE=/0x0:4157x2771/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63401968/1141044682.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="YgP6xz">Go get ‘em, Kyle. </p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/13/18308589/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-angels-saturday-4-13-1-20-ctAl Yellon2019-04-13T11:30:00-05:002019-04-13T11:30:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels preview, Saturday 4/13, 1:20 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XpZsQrJjVTpBmcmOE9Mm6UsTXl4=/0x183:4002x2851/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63401966/1142299197.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs go for their third straight win.</p> <p id="EpUxPK">For those of you who were hoping to see Mike Trout in this series, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2F2019%2F04%2F12%2Fangels-mike-trout-to-see-doctor-about-strained-groin%2F39337303%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleedcubbieblue.com%2F2019%2F4%2F13%2F18308583%2Fchicago-cubs-los-angeles-angels-preview-saturday" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">it’s not going to happen</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="H3BmQy">Mike Trout has been ruled out for the Los Angeles Angels’ weekend series against the Chicago Cubs after he strained his right groin during the team’s last homestand.</p></blockquote>
<p id="ldHIyC">Unfortunate, as the Angels don’t come to Wrigley often in the current schedule configuration, but injuries happen. From that article link, it doesn’t seem as if Trout will miss too much time.</p>
<p id="WaTVkJ">Notes:</p>
<ul>
<li id="1Pl3Rd">Cole Hamels’ eight-inning, one-run performance Friday lowered his Wrigley Field ERA to 1.606 in 13 career starts there. That’s now the lowest of anyone in MLB history, surpassing <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maglisa01.shtml">Sal Maglie</a>, whose career ERA at Wrigley was 1.61 in 18 appearances (13 starts).</li>
<li id="K95nPd">The Cubs are 2-2 in interleague play so far this year. Since the start of 2015, the Cubs are 52-32 (.619) in interleague play, the top mark among all N.L. clubs and third in the majors behind Boston (60-23/.723) and Houston (55-25/.688). </li>
<li id="gUex9x">ICYMI, the Cubs ran a nice tribute video for Tommy La Stella on the video board at Wrigley before Friday’s game:</li>
</ul>
<div id="OwwIhY">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cubs pay tribute to Tommy La Stella. <a href="https://t.co/mTTzxjjNIM">pic.twitter.com/mTTzxjjNIM</a></p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1116766972165918720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="RJ17VY">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="3IvQgQ"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="S2sAfW">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is today's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EverybodyIn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EverybodyIn</a><br><br>Game preview: <a href="https://t.co/CLnmBsDXms">https://t.co/CLnmBsDXms</a> <a href="https://t.co/uVj3FPDatw">pic.twitter.com/uVj3FPDatw</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1117072481129570306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="ubnoNT"><a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="vpowXR">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today's starting lineup. <a href="https://twitter.com/cstratton36?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cstratton36</a> gets the start. First pitch at 11:20am PT.<br><br>Game Preview » <a href="https://t.co/j7atnjAtI5">https://t.co/j7atnjAtI5</a> <a href="https://t.co/diOKRUMyTu">pic.twitter.com/diOKRUMyTu</a></p>— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) <a href="https://twitter.com/Angels/status/1117082687443996677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h2 id="UM0moL">
<span>Kyle Hendricks</span>, RHP vs. <span>Chris Stratton</span>, RHP</h2>
<div class="c-float-left"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i62uIVsKNdPuhDQDfOXN5BwHmJk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11836175/usa_today_10737403.jpg">
<cite>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yp2uYaEbmDU2toWuM2K12VzVXMo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16029752/angel.png">
<cite>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<p id="xJw4bt">Kyle Hendricks has made two starts this year and given up an alarmingly large number of hits... 18 in 8⅓ innings. He’s also issued more walks than usual, four in those 8⅓ innings, for a ridiculously high 2.640 WHIP.</p>
<p id="hqkjiv">That’s simply got to change. Hendricks has had lower velocity than usual so far this year, and that’s fairly normal for him. He’s also had trouble in the first inning again, as he did last year: 9.00 ERA in the first inning, 3.82 in all other innings (small sample size, of course).</p>
<p id="lnIC5U"><a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/how-kyle-hendricks-plans-combat-his-first-inning-woes-yelich-trout-bullpen-opener">Here’s an article that goes into detail</a> on what Kyle is trying to do to eliminate those first-inning issues:</p>
<blockquote><p id="u7jquu">“Just trying to change something up routine-wise — trying to get myself in a better mindset going into that first inning,” Hendricks said. “That seems to be where I’m making my bad pitches. Maybe try and change something up in my pregame. That way I can go out with an aggressive mindset making pitches right out of the gate and not just getting loose.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="3nz02C">Hope it works. Kyle has never faced the Angels, and current Angels are hitting .190 (11-for-58) against him. </p>
<p id="GBzmXs">I thought Chris Stratton looked familiar, then I realized he’d been with the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> until... two days before Opening Day, when the Angels traded for him. He’s made two starts for LAA this year and not finished the fifth inning in either of them.</p>
<p id="fXZV2u">Last year, he started against the Cubs <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201805260.shtml">May 26 at Wrigley Field</a> and allowed three runs in five innings, two of them on homers by <span>Kyle Schwarber</span> and Javier Baez. More of that would work for me today. That game is Stratton’s only career appearance against the Cubs.</p>
<p id="baJ5rM">Today’s game is on ABC7 Chicago.</p>
<p id="cxuSIp"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2019/04/13">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=2019_04_13_anamlb_chnmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2019/CHN201904130.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><span>SB Nation game preview</span></p>
<p id="c01E3n">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> site <a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a>. If you do go there to interact with Angels 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 2019 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used in previous years. 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="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
<p id="qjUusu"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/4/13/18308583/chicago-cubs-los-angeles-angels-preview-saturdayAl Yellon