Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Brewers Saturday 4/30 game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2022-05-01T09:30:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/228142732022-05-01T09:30:00-05:002022-05-01T09:30:00-05:002022 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 21
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<img alt="MLB: Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/u_YpNfURAqVLWd3u6tsGXIga75M=/343x185:1939x1249/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70818931/usa_today_18182336.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rinse and repeat</p> <p id="uln5W2">Saturday night’s game wasn’t quite a carbon copy of Friday’s. The Cubs held the Brewers to only nine runs (after allowing 11 the night before). But the Cubs have now scored only one run in three straight games and four out of five. Even if you assembled a pitching staff taking free picks from the all-time greatest pitchers, all in their prime, you still wouldn’t be guaranteed a winning record scoring only one run a game. Including the six they scored in the one win over the last five, they have averaged only two runs per game. That just isn’t enough to be competitive. </p>
<p id="cggTbV">One of the things about baseball is that it can turn on a dime. What’s going on right now isn’t by any means permanent. But, right now it is hard to imagine what turns things for this team. The schedule ahead remains brutal. The players on the horizon that will return from injury are more likely to make nominal/incremental change that anything significant. The players in Iowa who might be ready for their chance anytime soon are also likely to be nominal upgrade if any. </p>
<p id="qGcyjB">The hottest prospect from a talent/upside perspective is Brennen Davis. Brennen has only gotten his feet wet. He isn’t exactly laying waste to his league. There are two realities and the second outweighs the first, in my opinion, by a great deal. The first is that Brennen plays a position that is one of the weakest on the Cubs. He will eventually significantly upgrade the position and that could have a significant impact. But that second reality is that he needs a lot of development still. The Cubs should take their time and get that right. There is no reason to rush him up to try to make the difference between third and fourth place. </p>
<p id="hBQlpd">Hopefully, the proverbial worm turns for this team soon. Because things just aren’t pretty right now. </p>
<p id="SbvCcD">Let’s take a look at three positives from Saturday’s game.</p>
<ol>
<li id="iVe0JV">Scott Effross threw a perfect inning. There haven’t been a ton of those recently out of Cubs pitchers. He threw a perfect fourth at a time when the game was only 4-1 and was at least theoretically still in question. </li>
<li id="NAtCtX">The two-catcher lineup. I wondered early on if David Ross would feel comfortable enough to play his two catchers. Yan Gomes is a decent backup and Willson Contreras, when healthy, has a bat that plays, not just a good bat for a catcher. Gomes hit a solo homer for the Cubs’ lone run. Contreras had a pair of hits. Together, the duo accounted for half of the Cubs six hits and the lone run. </li>
<li id="j9AXeW">Patrick Wisdom. Patrick had a pair of hits including a double. He finishes the April with a line of .242/.311/.485 (wRC+ 127) and has been worth bWAR of +0.4. With plus defense at third, the Cubs are getting decent value out of Wisdom. If you were making a shopping list, upgrading third base is well down the list of priorities right now. </li>
</ol>
<p id="DtWzqM">And now, let’s turn our attention to the Heroes and Goats from last night’s game. </p>
<p id="7SCgTX"><strong>Game 21, April 30: </strong>Brewers 9, Cubs 1 (8-13)</p>
<div id="tBu4qK">
<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=wins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2022-04-30&team=Brewers&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=2022-04-30&team=Brewers&dh=0&season=2022">FanGraphs</a></span>
</div>
<p id="GVc5Bu">Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.</p>
<p id="o2mrw9"><strong>THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="UGXzC2">
<strong>Superhero: </strong>Yan Gomes (.059). 1-3, HR, BB, RBI, R</li>
<li id="n3nGnq">
<strong>Hero: </strong>Scott Effross (.022). IP (3 batters), K</li>
<li id="gK5vmn">
<strong>Sidekick: </strong>Willson Contreras (.016). 2-3, K</li>
</ul>
<p id="ROKbmJ"><strong>THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="ThIDFW">
<strong>Billy Goat: </strong>Justin Steele (-.262). 3IP (18 batters) 7H, BB, 4R (2 ER), 4K (L 1-3)</li>
<li id="a6bQym">
<strong>Goat: </strong>Seiya Suzuki (-.084). 0-3, BB, K, DP</li>
<li id="zrlkS4">
<strong>Kid: </strong>Michael Rucker (-.061). 2IP (11 batters), 2H, 2BB, 2R, 6K</li>
</ul>
<p id="vmrA9N"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>With a runner on first and one out in the first inning, the game was still scoreless when Christian Yelich faced Justin Steele. Yelich singled to center and when Michael Hermosillo misplayed the ball in center, the runners ended up on second and third, setting up the first two runs for the Brewers. (.084)</p>
<p id="47a2rb">*Cubs Play of the Game: With two outs in the top of the second inning, the Cubs were trailing 3-0 and the bases were empty. Yan Gomes hit a home run off of Brewers starter Eric Lauer. </p>
<div id="Gc3Ng3"><div data-anthem-component="poll:11171294"></div></div>
<p id="EDY3bo"><strong>Rizzo Award Cumulative Standings: </strong>(Top 3/Bottom 3)</p>
<p id="eEPeIk">The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.</p>
<ul>
<li id="JIlr3g">Ian Happ +15</li>
<li id="srpfP4">Alfonso Rivas +10</li>
<li id="W3x91r">Scott Effross +9</li>
<li id="nrIqsm">Nick Madrigal/Marcus Stroman/Kyle Hendricks -7</li>
<li id="MAnK3t">Patrick Wisdom -8</li>
<li id="67uqdl">Jason Heyward -9</li>
</ul>
<p id="0w0xPn"><strong>Up Next: </strong>The Cubs will look to salvage one game out of their three-game trip to Milwaukee. The Cubs have already assured a losing road trip, having lost four of the first five games with one remaining. Marcus Stroman has had a nightmarish start to his Cub career (0-3, 6.98). The Cubs fared pretty well against Corbin Burnes (1-0, 1.75) the first time they saw him, but he is always a tall order. Stroman is going to likely have to be at his absolute best if the Cubs are going to have any chance at this one. </p>
<p id="0LRXpA"></p>
<p id="EzorLA"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2022/5/1/23051817/2022-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-21Thomas Smith2022-05-01T08:00:00-05:002022-05-01T08:00:00-05:00Brewers 9, Cubs 1: Do-it-yourself recap
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3OQk5y42D8cnZnjxNj2EH98dxQw=/275x215:2803x1900/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70818670/1394678268.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Yes, it’s time for another one of these. </p> <p id="M6vVDe"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-brewers/2022/04/30/661208#game_state=final,game_tab=box,game=661208">The Cubs’ 9-1 demolition at the hands of the Brewers</a> Saturday night in Milwaukee definitely called for another game recap where I give you several choices of words. Fun! (More fun than the game, anyway.)</p>
<p id="HhlK8u"><strong>NOTE!</strong> If you are reading this article via Google AMP or Apple News, you will have to go to a regular web browser to be able to read the words below, or click “desktop site” on your mobile browser.</p>
<div id="fT74Ml">
<form>The Cubs never had a chance in this game. They <select name="s1-1"><option>were defeated by</option> <option>were beaten by</option> <option>were drubbed by</option> <option>were crushed by</option>
<option>Had enough yet?</option></select> the Brewers.
<p> </p>
<p>About that score:</p>
<p>The Brewers scored <select name="s1-2"><option>1 run.</option> <option>2 runs.</option> <option>8 runs.</option> <option>9 runs.</option> <option>13 runs.</option> <option>100 runs.</option> <option>eleventy-billion runs.</option> <option>Seemed like that many, right?</option> </select></p>
<p> The Cubs scored <select name="s1-3"><option>0 runs.</option> <option>0 runs.</option> <option>0 runs.</option> <option>0 runs.</option> <option>0 runs.</option> <option>1 runs.</option> <option>10 runs.</option> <option>(No, not 10. You can see the one run below.)</option></select><br> The Cubs' run was driven in by <select name="s1-4"><option>Yan Gomes.</option> <option>Yan Gomes.</option> <option>Yan Gomes.</option> <option>Javier Báez.</option>
<option>No, he's not on the team anymore.</option>
<option>Joe Mather.</option> <option>No, not Joe Mather.</option></select></p>
<p> Justin Steele was the Cubs starter and he was victimized, as have so many Cubs starters lately, by bad defense early. Errors were made by <select name="s1-5"><option>(a) Patrick Wisdom</option> <option>(b) himself</option> <option>(c) Michael Hermosillo</option> <option>(d) Neifi Perez</option> <option>(e) If you answered (d), shame on you</option>
<option>The answer is (a) and (c)</option>
</select>.</p>
<p> The Cubs bullpen <select name="s1-6"><option>got good work from Scott Effross</option> <option>and then got bad work from:</option> <option>Michael Rucker and</option> <option>Locke St. John.</option>
<option>Seriously, "Locke St. John" is something you should never do</option></select>. It didn't really matter because after the Cubs got to within two runs, the Brewers <select name="s1-7"><option>hit more home runs</option> <option>hit more home runs</option> <option>hit more home runs</option> <option>hit more home runs</option> <option>Okay, I'll stop now.</option>
</select>.</p>
<p> This was the Cubs' most lopsided defeat since <select name="s1-8"><option>Friday</option> <option>Friday </option> <option>Friday </option>. <option>Hopefully, I will not have to repeat that again today.</option></select> Before this series began, the Cubs' run differential was <select name="s1-9"><option>(a) +100</option>
<option>(b) +30</option>
<option>(c) +16</option>
<option>the answer is (c)</option></select>. Now their run differential is -2.
</p>
<p>Cubs batters who got hits in this game were <select name="s1-10"><option>Yan Gomes.</option> <option>Ian Happ.</option> <option>Willson Contreras.</option> <option>Willson Contreras.</option> <option>Patrick Wisdom.</option> <option>Patrick Wisdom.</option> <option>I listed Contreras and Wisdom twice</option> <option>because they had two hits each and</option> <option>I wanted to make it seem like</option>
<option>there were more guys with hits.</option></select></p>
<p>With runners in scoring position, the Cubs had <select name="s1-11"><option>no hits</option> <option>one hit</option> <option>two hits</option> <option>four hits.</option> <option>(You know the answer without looking it up, right?)</option></select></p>
<p> The Cubs' record is now <select name="s1-12"><option>a) 13-8.</option> <option>b) 8-13.</option> <option>c) 8-130.</option>
<option>It only seems like 130 losses.</option> <option>If you picked (b), you're right.</option></select><br> But that doesn't matter, because <select name="s1-12"><option>a) it's early.</option> <option>b) it's early.</option> <option>c) it's early.</option> <option>(Hint: It's getting not-so-early.)</option> </select></p>
<p> Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee, the Cubs will <select name="s1-14"><option>lose to the Brewers again.</option> <option>lose to the Brewers again.</option> <option>defeat the Brewers.</option> <option>Well, I DID give you the choice of the Cubs winning.</option>Game time is 1:10 p.m. CT.</select></p>
<p> In that game, the Cubs will send Marcus Stroman to the mound to face Corbin Burnes, and Marcus will... <select name="s1-15"><option>... win the game against the Brewers</option> <option>... by throwing a shutout.</option> <option>... or maybe a no-hitter.</option> <option>(OK, so I'm dreaming.)</option></select></p>
<p> Sunday's game will be televised on <select name="s1-16"><option>a) Marquee Sports Network.</option> <option>b) Marquee Sports Network.</option> <option>c) Marquee Sports Network.</option> <option>d) Marquee Sports Network.</option>
<option>e) Marquee Sports Network.</option>
<option>f) Marquee Sports Network.</option>
<option>You don't think there's another choice here, are you?</option>
</select></p>
<p> Manager David Ross' comments after Sunday's game included: <select name="s1-17"><option>a) "Look, what do you want me to do?"</option> <option>b) (Whoops, sorry. That one's left over from five managers ago.)</option> <option>c) "One thing we gotta do, we gotta play better defense."</option> <option>Yes, (c) is what Ross actually said.</option></select></p> </form>
</div>
<p id="ATKxhp"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-04/30/eb8cc2d7-55909895-7e6ebf0f-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Here is the Cubs’ only run of the game [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="YllXUo">
<div><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2022%2F2022-04%2F30%2Feb8cc2d7-55909895-7e6ebf0f-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"></iframe></div></div>
<script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="oaIU7C"></p>
<p id="JQvukD"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-04/30/62f6af32-68a5f3b9-76508324-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Here is a nice play made by Ian Happ in left field [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="MNxo03">
<div><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2022%2F2022-04%2F30%2F62f6af32-68a5f3b9-76508324-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"></iframe></div></div>
<script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="rmEJKX"></p>
<p id="kRlP41"><a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-04/30/7ef9cea3-363555c8-95ef8ec8-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Here are more of David Ross’ postgame comments on Justin Steele [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="g5LIac">
<div><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2022%2F2022-04%2F30%2F7ef9cea3-363555c8-95ef8ec8-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"></iframe></div></div>
<script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="EPwRE0"></p>
<p id="62DQAJ">Fun fact from this game:</p>
<div id="HY4yRY">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Michael Rucker struck out four batters in the 5th inning (thanks to a strikeout/wild pitch that allowed Jackson to reach base).<br><br>He becomes the 1st Cubs pitcher to K four batters in one inning since Justin Grimm on Aug. 29, 2014 (9th at St. Louis).</p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1520571581231210497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2022</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="MbwvHt">One last bit of summary of this loss: If you’ll recall, the Cubs looked pretty good while winning six of their first 10 games this year. Since then, they have lost nine of 11. They are probably not quite as good as they were during the first 10, but neither are they as bad as they have looked over those last 11, in which they have been outscored 57-46. (The 21-run outburst against the Pirates was pretty much negated by the 20 runs they’ve allowed the last two games.)</p>
<p id="DMLz8w">Perhaps today will be better.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2022/5/1/23051824/cubs-brewers-recap-justin-steele-yan-gomes-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2022-04-30T19:40:00-05:002022-04-30T19:40:00-05:00Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Saturday 4/30, 6:10 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hQ0rWx_HnP0hmUfeYrF4RVp2vF0=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70817683/1394515682.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="dQgJEb">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2022/4/30/23050230/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-brewers-saturday-4-30-6-10-ctAl Yellon2022-04-30T18:05:00-05:002022-04-30T18:05:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Saturday 4/30, 6:10 CT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3mMqM6ohfuW_YJEhn0GOqL0BMTU=/0x110:3213x2252/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70817369/1393654811.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="dQgJEb">Go get ‘em, Justin.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2022/4/30/23050229/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-brewers-saturday-4-30-6-10-ctAl Yellon2022-04-30T16:00:00-05:002022-04-30T16:00:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers preview, Saturday 4/30, 6:10 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/08Yn51Y6hbPLtet65cbW84AZFaQ=/0x135:2453x1770/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70816886/1394466484.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs look to even up their series against the Brewers.</p> <p id="BlGqy9">Today’s roster move: <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2022/4/30/23050797/cubs-roster-move-locke-st-john-recalled-owa-mark-leiter-jr-optioned">Here</a></p>
<p id="HyUhSW">Saturday notes...</p>
<ul>
<li id="XErC0j">
<strong>MAYBE HE SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE IT:</strong> In the Cubs’ 10 games at American Family Field since Alec Mills’ no-hitter on September 13, 2020, they have posted a 7.90 ERA (72 earned runs in 82 innings) and gone 2-8.</li>
<li id="a3oa43">
<strong>KEEPING THE LINE MOVING:</strong> The Cubs have scored at least one run in 66 consecutive games dating back to August 12, 2021. That’s the longest stretch for the Cubs since they scored in 71 straight games from May 11-July 31, 2019 and is the longest active streak. The franchise record is 127, from June 16, 1958-May 13, 1959.</li>
<li id="0YRpIN">
<strong>SEIYA UPDATE:</strong> Entering the final day of April, Seiya Suzuki leads all rookies in extra-base hits, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, walks and is tied for the most runs scored (13).</li>
<li id="LbRIAQ">
<strong>GREAT CAREER START:</strong> Alfonso Rivas last night was 2-for-4 in his 25th career MLB game since he was first promoted by Chicago last September. In those first 25 career games has hit .361/.435/.492 (22-for-61) with two doubles, two homers and nine RBI. That .361 BA is the highest mark for any Cub’s first 25 games since Mike Fontenot batted .385/.431/.630 (25-for-65) in his first 25 career games spanning the 2005 and 2007 seasons.</li>
</ul>
<p id="AS7WLJ">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="OmIgrW"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="8lpKyI">
<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. <a href="https://t.co/qx4QSNyoVO">pic.twitter.com/qx4QSNyoVO</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1520485331895824386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2022</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="nU1Gao"><a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> lineup: </p>
<div id="1GiR1T">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Round 2️⃣<br><br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportWI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BallySportWI</a> <br> : <a href="https://twitter.com/620wtmj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@620wtmj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/fleet_farm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fleet_farm</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThisIsMyCrew?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThisIsMyCrew</a> <a href="https://t.co/9xol678pWl">pic.twitter.com/9xol678pWl</a></p>— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brewers/status/1520486377481244673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2022</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2 id="lePhfq">Justin Steele, LHP vs. Eric Lauer, LHP</h2>
<div class="c-float-left"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jADaTmV4Q3wtEREy934ZtlhclSI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23386888/usa_today_18072849.jpg">
<cite>USA TODAY NETWORK</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/Mkkl_knv5oqdW4IJV1RMZASDRMs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23423406/usa_today_18073715.jpg">
<cite>USA TODAY NETWORK</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<p id="OFq52V">Justin Steele made two pretty good starts this year, but the last two have been... ugh. The biggest issue has been walks — over his last two starts, seven walks in just 5⅔ innings, and 127 pitches (just 68 strikes) thrown in those two outings. That’s not going to cut it.</p>
<p id="OT1kPJ">Fortunately (perhaps), Steele already has a good outing in the books against the Brewers this year, five shutout innings on <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN202204090.shtml">April 9</a> with just one walk. How about doing that again?</p>
<p id="vic7PR">Eric Lauer has quietly become one of the better starters in the league. Last time out, <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI202204240.shtml">April 24 against the Phillies</a>, he struck out 13 in six shutout innings. (Of course, several of those K’s were helped along by Angel Hernandez, so draw your own conclusions.)</p>
<p id="69aHiC">This doesn’t sound promising for the Cubs:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Over his last 17 starts dating back to last June 27, <a href="https://twitter.com/e_lauer10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@e_lauer10</a> is 7-2 with a 2.20 ERA (94ip, 23er). <br><br>The Dodgers' Julio Urías (2.04) is the only starter with a lower ERA than Lauer during this stretch (min. 90ip).<br><br>Lauer starts tonight.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThisIsMyCrew?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThisIsMyCrew</a></p>— Mike Vassallo (@MikeVassallo13) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeVassallo13/status/1520428446454890496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2022</a>
</blockquote>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o591h12Rva7vR4CyXKbrREM9v7I=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23423482/Screen_Shot_2022_04_28_at_2.42.26_PM.png">
<cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/pitchmix#657006_2022" target="_blank">Statcast</a></cite>
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<cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/pitchmix#641778_2022" target="_blank">Statcast</a></cite>
</figure>
<p id="99GlrB"></p>
<p id="ygs1UB">Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. <a href="https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/providers/">Here’s a list of providers currently carrying Marquee<strong>.</strong></a> </p>
<p id="6w2xna"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2022/04/30">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=2022_04_30_chnmlb_milmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2022/MIL202204300.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="7oSHCm">Please visit our SB Nation Brewers site <a href="http://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brew Crew Ball</a>. If you do go there to interact with Brewers 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="mRtOMf">The 2022 Game Thread procedure will be like last years, similar to what we’ve used for Spring Training.</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, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread 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>). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p id="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
<p id="YKOZbJ"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2022/4/30/23046420/chicago-cubs-milwaukee-brewers-preview-saturdayAl Yellon