Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Astros Tuesday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2019-05-29T10:00:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/184053382019-05-29T10:00:00-05:002019-05-29T10:00:00-05:002019 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 53
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<img alt="Chicago Cubs v Houston Astros" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s3KI6g0Pl_PgyKjHgQ4oAHWA2ZU=/824x61:4044x2208/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63914164/1152313708.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The struggles continue in 9-6 loss to Astros as Cubs drop five of six</p> <p id="1Se7eP">Heavy sigh. Here we are again. Do you remember when it felt like the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> were invincible? It wasn’t that long ago. They had a pretty long run between losing any series between early April and mid-May. This long stretch of games has really cut the legs out of a red-hot Cubs ball club. Fatigue and injuries have clearly set in. With the departure of <span>Ben Zobrist</span> from the team, minor injuries to <span>Anthony Rizzo</span>, <span>Javier Baez</span> and <span>Kris Bryant</span> have challenged an offensive core that is actually pretty shallow. Accordingly, the offense has slowed down a little. The starting pitcher is getting a little less support leading to a lot more leverage in their appearances. Between the added high effort innings and the string of consecutive games, the starting pitching has really stumbled. </p>
<p id="8io8Pj">Topping things off is the damage that has done to the Cubs bullpen. The Cubs bullpen is one that I’d label is a maintain type of bullpen. They aren’t world beaters. When things are going well, like they were in that 40+ day stretch of strong Cubs performance, they will usually get the job done. When you can mix and match them and optimize matchups, they’ll get it done. They are not a bullpen like last year’s <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> pen or the one we’ve seen the last two days in Houston. Yesterday, the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> bullpen basically helped them to steal a game. They came in starting with the fourth inning. They did allow three runs, but they really slowed down the Cubs until their bats could get rolling. </p>
<p id="e7wHAC">To be fair, during that hot stretch when everyone was fresh, the Cubs did steal a couple of games like that out of the pen with long appearances by <span>Tyler Chatwood</span> and <span>Mike Montgomery</span> . It just looks difference when the Astros throw arm after arm at you with guys throwing in the mid to high 90’s with wicked stuff. Almost top to bottom, the Cubs assembled a staff on grit and savvy rather than stuff. </p>
<p id="qpMk7t">It’s so easy to over react in baseball. Even as someone who preaches patience every day, it can be hard while watching a game like last night and not do some of it. I don’t watch baseball except when the Cubs are one of the two teams. So I’ve seen precious little of the Astros since they’ve risen to prominence. It’s easy to have two thoughts. First, I’m really jealous of the team they’ve put together. They appear to have a much deeper stable of sluggers than the Cubs have to offer. And as I noted above, they seemingly have an endless wave of pitchers with nasty stuff to throw at you. </p>
<p id="limyJH">That second thought after playing the Astros is the one that I have to tamp down. It is the urge to suggest the Cubs throw in the towel, trade off some pieces and rework the roster. I mean, when you watch a game like last night, it is so easy to feel helpless. The Cubs knocked the Astros starter out in the fourth inning. The problem was, they only had a 3-1 lead at the time. The pitchers would go on to allow eight runs and the Astros had a somewhat easy victory in the end. I can’t even lean into Kris Bryant hurt, Javier Baez at less than full strength, a depleted bullpen, etc. because the Astros have played this series without some of their biggest stars (okay, that’s still really frightening to me). But the larger point is this: despite the enormous talent base of the Astros, they didn’t reach the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> in 2016, they didn’t reach the World Series in 2018. Nothing is guaranteed for any team. No matter how great any team is, one bad series can cost them a championship come October. </p>
<p id="6wdL7N">The Cubs continue to lead the National League Central. The whole division is now separated top to bottom by five games. But, the Cubs are still on top. Tomorrow, they’ll finally get a day off. They need that day off. But they better enjoy it, because there is still a ton of baseball between now and the All-Star break without a lot of other time off. The Cubs picked themselves off the mat after their 2-7 road trip to start the season. They’ll pick themselves off the mat again soon. </p>
<p id="Q0bf8w">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="GyK7MW"><strong>Game 53, May 28: </strong>Cubs 6 at Astros 9 (30-23)</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=2019-05-28&team=Astros&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=2019-05-28&team=Astros&dh=0&season=2019">FanGraphs</a></span>
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<p id="yzlKDM"><strong>THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="N7LwhT">
<strong>Superhero: </strong><span>David Bote</span> (.299). David had a monster night at the plate in the loss. He had two home runs and a double, drove in three and scored twice in just four at bats. David has proved to be a bit streaky in his young career. Going back to May 10, he’s had a .372/.449/.628 line (wRC+ 181). Of course that line is massively inflated by a .542 BABIP during the stretch. Still, that’s a 49 PA stretch that is nice to see after he went through a slow patch.</li>
<li id="A2ID5E">
<strong>Hero: </strong><span>Addison Russell</span> (.154). The controversial Cub hit his third homer in four games last night. But I was most impressed by the two walks he drew. Patience at the plate has long been one of the weak spots for Russell. With that, Russell now has the highest BB% (9.4) and the lowest K% (18.9) of his career. If he stays healthy, I believe we’ll see the breakout for Russell that has been delayed by injuries and then compounded by off the field issues.</li>
<li id="v8isKa">
<strong>Sidekick: </strong><span>Kyle Schwarber</span> (.102). Kyle had a solo homer and a walk in five plate appearances last night. He also struck out twice. I do start to fear that Kyle’s whole career is going to be most memorable for two things. Cannon shot home runs and watching him take borderline strikes. </li>
</ul>
<p id="N9m2vA"><strong>THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="hyfYSp">
<strong>Billy Goat: </strong><span>Jon Lester</span> (-.443). This makes three straight Billy Goat starts for Jon. In this one he lasted 5⅔ innings, allowed eight hits, three walks and seven runs. He struck out three. This one was surely a bit frustrating for Jon as a couple of the really well hit balls appeared to be very good pitches. There were also a couple of not really well hit balls that just found space. </li>
<li id="oLewZx">
<strong>Goat: </strong><span>Brad Brach</span> (-.334). I for one have really not seen anything too exciting about Brach. I don’t know if he is still working his way back from the injuries that delayed the start of his season or what. I know there aren’t a lot of options but I’m just not impressed. He threw 1⅓ innings, allowed a home run, two other hits and a walk. He did strike out two.</li>
<li id="COnXF0">
<strong>Kid: </strong><span>Willson Contreras</span> (-.156). Willson was hitless in five at bats and struck out three times. Willson’s in a baby slump. Over his last 10 games played, he has a .226/.333/.355 line. Of course, that line is still good for a wRC+ of 90 which isn’t totally awful. </li>
</ul>
<p id="JTOX5U"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong><span>Alex Bregman</span> hit a two-run homer off of Brach with two outs in the sixth inning. That tied the game at 6-6. (.299) Bregman was the very first batter Brach faced.</p>
<p id="5Kq16H">*Cubs WPA Play of the Game: Kyle Schwarber slugged the Cubs fifth homer of the day as part of back-to-back homers with David Bote in the top of the sixth. (.173)</p>
<p id="Od9svr"><strong>Cumulative Standings Top/Bottom 3: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="hlyXSI">Anthony Rizzo 14.5</li>
<li id="Mxeo3C">Willson Contreras 10.5</li>
<li id="s5IPfP">Tyler Chatwood 8.5</li>
<li id="NeGrtj">Kyle Schwarber -9.5</li>
<li id="a2YYqb">
<span>Yu Darvish</span>/<span>Carl Edwards Jr.</span> -10</li>
</ul>
<p id="HPhTjF"><strong>Up Next: </strong>The teams wrap up their series tonight. The Cubs will be looking to avoid a fourth straight loss and sixth in seven games. The Astros will be looking for a third straight win and fifth in their last six games. <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> will hope to stop the bleeding. Kyle is 4-4 with a 3.34 ERA in 62 innings of work on the season. Last time out, he received a no decision against the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> after having a minimum qualification quality start. He allowed six hits, three runs and one walk in six innings of work. He did strike out nine. Kyle has been very good over his last seven starts, with a 4-1 record and a 2.77 ERA in 48⅔ innings. Kyle has never faced the Astros. Current Astros have a total of just 19 plate appearances against Kyle and six of those are by Monday’s starter <span>Gerrit Cole</span>. </p>
<p id="Ih7xVP"><span>Wade Miley</span> will get the start for the Astros. Wade is 5-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 62⅓ innings. Last time out he was superb against the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>. He threw six innings and allowed only four hits, two walks and one run while striking out eight. Over his last seven starts, he is 4-0 with a 3.32 ERA. Wade made two starts against the Cubs in 2018 and won both of them. He threw 11 innings and allowed four runs (three earned). </p>
<p id="ldI1m9">The 32-year-old left-handed pitcher has been extremely tough on left-handed hitters (.516 OPS allowed). Right-handed hitters have done quite a bit better (.738). Current Cubs have 98 career plate appearances against Miley. Anthony Rizzo has the most PA (23) but has struggled (.367 OPS). Oddly, those struggles have only included one strikeout, so he’s able to put the ball into play, just very ineffectively. Kris Bryant would be a welcome addition to the Cubs lineup on any day, but against Miley even more. Bryant has a .962 OPS in 12 career PA against Miley. Addison Russell and Willson Contreras both own homers against Miley in limited PA. </p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/29/18644066/2019-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-53Thomas Smith2019-05-29T08:00:00-05:002019-05-29T08:00:00-05:00Astros 9, Cubs 6: The battle of the home runs
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<figcaption>Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs hit five home runs ... but lost.</p> <p id="saa03q">If I had told you, before this game started, that the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> would smash five home runs, you’d probably think they’d win the game, right?</p>
<p id="VvEfM1">Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. This game turned out distressingly like Monday’s, in which the Cubs got an early lead, blew it, came back, but lost anyway, this time <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2019_05_28_chnmlb_houmlb_1">9-6 to the Astros</a>, their third loss in a row. It’s the first time since that six-game losing streak in March/April that the Cubs have lost three straight.</p>
<p id="uNWE7X">Further, it’s just the 13th time in franchise history that a Cubs team has hit at least five home runs and lost. The last time before Tuesday was <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201708170.shtml">August 17, 2017</a>, to the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> at Wrigley Field. <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/tiny/diPgF">Here’s a list of the other 12 games.</a></p>
<p id="YcxPgh">Nevertheless, there were a few good things that happened in this game, so let’s have a look.</p>
<p id="J4IKQk">The Astros took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Cubs promptly got that back. Leading off the second inning, <span>Jason Heyward</span> <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/28/a78c5bba-39314b9c-e189eee3-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">tied the game up [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="eZ0lmg"><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/2019/2019-05/28/a78c5bba-39314b9c-e189eee3-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="fVE7NR"></p>
<p id="u6PYIq">That was Heyward’s eighth of the year, matching his total from all of 2018. Despite J-Hey’s low BA, he’s hitting for decent power (current SLG .413).</p>
<p id="nbjGpE">The next hitter was <span>Addison Russell</span>, and <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/28/4c898526-d161013b-e3fc62c0-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">he gave the Cubs the lead [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="7MHqmH"><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/2019/2019-05/28/4c898526-d161013b-e3fc62c0-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="vlAx6G"></p>
<p id="r43sqT">That was Russell’s fourth of the year, and third in his last four games. He hit five all of last year.</p>
<p id="dZNAre">One out later, <span>David Bote</span> gave the Cubs <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/28/5e032c75-f845e1a1-1dde8825-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">their third homer of the inning [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="tQig8n"><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/2019/2019-05/28/5e032c75-f845e1a1-1dde8825-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="s7iSRW"></p>
<p id="jfhS7c">Check out the height and launch angle on that one:</p>
<div id="duGtgR">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> 3 @ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Astros</a> 1 [T2-1o]:<br><br>David Bote homers (5): fly ball to LF (solo)<br><br>Hit: 383.6ft, 98.81mph, 34.38°<br><br>Pitch: 95.2mph Four-Seam Fastball (RHP Corbin Martin, 6) <a href="https://t.co/ZqhnR02lbt">pic.twitter.com/ZqhnR02lbt</a></p>— Home Run Tracker (@DingerTracker) <a href="https://twitter.com/DingerTracker/status/1133534243798360064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="Oy5pcg"><span>Jon Lester</span>, though, did not have it again Tuesday night. <span>Alex Bregman</span> homered off him in the third to make it 3-2 Cubs, and then the Astros had an inning much like their five-run frame Monday. Four runs piled across the plate for them in the fourth, giving the Astros a 6-3 lead.</p>
<p id="pwTg42">The Cubs, though, were not done hitting home runs. After a walk to <span>Daniel Descalso</span> with one out in the sixth, <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/28/4811497f-06ebb847-cb42f7f4-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Bote again [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="0P3fJh"><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/2019/2019-05/28/4811497f-06ebb847-cb42f7f4-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="CmmvOA"></p>
<p id="NNdw4n">That made this game the second multi-homer game of Bote’s career (both this year). The Cubs now trailed 6-5, <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-05/28/85a5a4a6-44267314-934ab501-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">but not for long, right, Kyle Schwarber? [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="8vnrE1"></p>
<p id="IyJI5e">The game’s now tied heading to the bottom of the sixth. And Lester, who struggled all night with command, nearly got out of it tied. He got the first two outs in the last of the sixth on just four pitches. At that point, I thought if he could get the third out quickly, he might even be able to throw the seventh.</p>
<p id="5HXyl3">But Derek Fisher worked a walk on a seven-pitch at-bat, and at 102 pitches that was it for Jon. Joe Maddon summoned <span>Brad Brach</span>, and that turned out to be the wrong choice, because Bregman sent Brach’s first pitch into the seats for his second home run of the game and an 8-6 Houston lead.</p>
<p id="hOIXB0">The Cubs had the tying runs on base in the seventh off our old friend <span>Hector Rondon</span>, but Descalso grounded out to end that inning. Brach allowed a two-out single and an RBI double to make it 9-6 Astros in the bottom of the seventh. Bote led off the eighth with a double, his third hit of the game, but was stranded. And unlike Monday, when the Cubs hit a pair of homers off Astros closer <span>Roberto Osuna</span>, in this one Osuna retired the Cubs 1-2-3 in the ninth, and that was that.</p>
<p id="F0qxTt">Even without <span>Kris Bryant</span>, there was nothing wrong with the Cubs’ offense in this one. They had nine hits and six walks, and scored six runs (all of them via the home run, four solo homers and one with a runner on) despite going 0-for-9 with RISP. Pitching, again, was the issue. After a really good run of both starting and relief pitching for several weeks, Cubs pitching has been very shaky over the last six games, five of those losses. The Cubs have been outscored 46-33 in those six games and the opposition has scored at least six runs in all of them. Now, 33 runs scored in six games is pretty good — that’s 5.5 runs per game, slightly better than the Cubs’ season average of 5.4. But you can’t give up 7.7 runs per game and expect to win. The pitching is just going to have to get better. Pedro Strop, <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/28/18643680/chicago-cubs-minor-league-pedro-strop-rehab-colin-rea-junichi-tazawa-oscar-de-la-cruz">who had his first rehab outing Tuesday evening</a>, should be back soon. That will help. Based on this, Pedro could be back this weekend:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Strop to make two appearances for Iowa - at New Orleans tonight and at Round Rock on Thursday</p>— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) <a href="https://twitter.com/MDGonzales/status/1133498597171974145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2019</a>
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<p id="EqmXtF">The good news is that everyone else in the N.L. Central (except the Reds, who beat the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>) also lost Tuesday, so the Cubs remain half a game in first place over the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> and lead the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> and Pirates by four games. The Reds trail by five. The Cubs and Brewers, as of Wednesday morning, are the only teams in the division over .500.</p>
<p id="LlE33n">The Cubs will try to avoid the sweep Wednesday evening. <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> will start for the Cubs and <span>Wade Miley</span>, who dominated the Cubs last year for the Brewers, goes for Houston. Game time again is 7:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via NBC Sports Chicago, with a national broadcast on ESPN.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/29/18643943/cubs-astros-recap-david-bote-jason-heyward-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2019-05-28T21:10:00-05:002019-05-28T21:10:00-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Astros, Tuesday 5/28, 7:10 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="R2dIgH">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/28/18635627/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-astros-tuesday-5-28-7-10-ctAl Yellon2019-05-28T20:10:00-05:002019-05-28T20:10:00-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Astros, Tuesday 5/28, 7:10 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="R2dIgH">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/28/18635626/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-astros-tuesday-5-28-7-10-ctAl Yellon2019-05-28T19:05:00-05:002019-05-28T19:05:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Astros, Tuesday 5/28, 7:10 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MkL6YSU8RaKzWznuRy2gzMHne6k=/106x103:4000x2699/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63910992/usa_today_12661078.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="RFSoWY">Go get ‘em, Jon.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/28/18640874/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-astros-tuesday-5-28-7-10-ctAl Yellon2019-05-28T17:00:00-05:002019-05-28T17:00:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros preview, Tuesday 5/28, 7:10 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NUQ0gx7a_ykRhfrIWRayW_iUkKY=/0x0:4641x3094/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63910412/1146666154.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs look to even up their series in Houston.</p> <p id="Wobj5x">Today’s weird fun fact:</p>
<div id="GyKhNo">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Odd: all three games where Addison Russell has homered this season, Albert Almora homered as well.<br><br>May 15, May 25 and today. <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/1133120087693701120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2019</a>
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<p id="H3rRYS">Notes:</p>
<ul>
<li id="clFp2Z">
<span>Anthony Rizzo</span> yesterday hit his 15th homer of the season, a two-run shot off <span>Gerrit Cole</span> in the first inning. In doing so he became just the second Cubs left-handed hitter to reach 15 homers prior to June 1, joining Billy Williams, who hit 15 homers entering June 1970. Besides Rizzo and Williams, just four other Cubs have reached 15 home runs prior to June 1: Hank Sauer (16 in 1954), Dave Kingman (15 in 1979), <span>Sammy Sosa</span> (five times, last in 2002 with 19) and <span>Derrek Lee</span> (16 in 2005). </li>
<li id="0rL0gh">The Cubs have hit 16 homers in their last six games, hitting at least two in each of those contests. The last time the Cubs recorded multiple homers in six-straight games was during a seven-game run, August 17-23, 2016. And, the team’s 85 home runs rank second in the N.L. behind the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> (90) and are tied for fifth in the majors. </li>
<li id="Zr935c">The Cubs feature four players with at least 12 home runs (Rizzo, 15; <span>Javier Baez</span>, 13; <span>Kris Bryant</span>, 12; <span>Willson Contreras</span>, 12), as they join the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> as the only MLB teams with four players (<span>Daniel Vogelbach</span>, 15; <span>Jay Bruce</span>, 13; <span>Edwin Encarnacion</span>, 13; <span>Mitch Haniger</span>, 13) with 12 or more homers this season. </li>
<li id="QwyV3p">
<span>Cole Hamels</span> yesterday threw four innings without recording a strikeout, bringing to close an amazing, decade-plus streak of recording at least one strikeout in 343-consecutive outings, dating to May 31, 2008. According to the Baseball-Reference Play Index, that’s the fifth-longest such streak since 1908, behind Nolan Ryan (382 games), <span>Randy Johnson</span> (351), <span>Javier Vazquez</span> (349) and Dwight Gooden (349).</li>
</ul>
<p id="hE1ZvA">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="3IvQgQ"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="Rr47Dl">
<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.<br><br>Game preview: <a href="https://t.co/ka0S8UaMUJ">https://t.co/ka0S8UaMUJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/xxdOMzglLV">pic.twitter.com/xxdOMzglLV</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1133459867275059209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2019</a>
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<p id="ao1n2Y"><span>Jason Heyward</span>, back in the lineup. Kris Bryant, out for another day.</p>
<p id="UG6anH"><a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="fc1BTg">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Carlos Correa out again <a href="https://t.co/bNAL3X1guD">pic.twitter.com/bNAL3X1guD</a></p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/1133471020747243522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2019</a>
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<p id="kXdaIl">The Astros are also banged up, missing <span>Jose Altuve</span>, <span>Carlos Correa</span> and <span>George Springer</span>. The Astros official Twitter account didn’t send out their lineup before posting time, so you get one from their <a href="http://MLB.com">MLB.com</a> beat writer.</p>
<h2 id="V5jSYv">
<span>Jon Lester</span>, LHP vs. <span>Corbin Martin</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/hogjdH0gp0M67jze-Hs1YKDfnGc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16014530/usa_today_12381337.jpg">
<cite>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Yj7IW514A4Ie0Pj7DCU-q-C6AGQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16301803/usa_today_12382233.jpg">
<cite>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="6Y8mwd"><span>Jon Lester</span> got off to a really good start this year and then... clunk. Last two starts: 9.72 ERA, 2.280 WHIP, three home runs in 8⅓ innings... yikes. Here’s what Jon said about his last outing:</p>
<div id="b12OQE">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jon Lester: “Something’s off. Stating the obvious. Something doesn’t feel right. Obviously, the last two starts, the results speak for themselves. I got to figure it out.” <a href="https://t.co/N1IqQemNcW">pic.twitter.com/N1IqQemNcW</a></p>— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) <a href="https://twitter.com/CEmma670/status/1131693788685115392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="p4nsH3">Hopefully, he’s figured it out. Jon did throw seven shutout innings against the Astros the last time the Cubs were in Houston, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU201609090.shtml">September 9, 2016</a>. </p>
<p id="8eExYp">Corbin Martin, who was the Astros’ second-round pick in 2017, is making his fourth major-league start. The other three run from “decent” to “bad.” He has yet to throw six innings in a big-league start.</p>
<p id="zIRNmO">He has obviously never faced the Cubs, nor anyone on their current roster. Fangraphs says Martin relies mostly on his fastball, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=19884&position=P#pitchtype">which he can dial up to 95</a>. Beyond that he throws mostly cutters.</p>
<p id="mjVxi1">The Cubs often struggle against guys they haven’t seen before. Hopefully they have a good scouting report on Martin.</p>
<p id="8jrQbA">Today’s game is on ABC7 Chicago.</p>
<p id="cxuSIp"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2019/05/28">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_05_28_chnmlb_houmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2019/HOU201905280.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.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> site <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/">The Crawfish Boxes</a>. If you do go there to interact with Astros 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="fhAq97"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/28/18635616/chicago-cubs-houston-astros-preview-tuesdayAl Yellon