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39 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (one slot is open), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL and one player has been DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT (DFA)   

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, three players are on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-23-2024
 
* bats or throws left
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PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Hector Neris 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
* Matt Mervis
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 9 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 3
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P

DFA: 1 
Garrett Cooper, 1B 
 




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Cubs @ Pirates: Arrieta vs. Burnett (Game 145)

Submitted by CTSteve on

Lester does his Arrieta impression to take game two, after Castro does his Castro impression to cost game one. Now Jake takes the mound to mark his territory.

CHC (83-61): RHP Jake Arrieta (19-6, 1.99)
PIT (87-57): RHP A.J. Burnett (8-5, 3.14)
First pitch: 6:05pmCT

Mr. Automatic is on a string of 8 straight wins--and is sporting the lowest post-ASG ERA in MLB history. He won in Philly on Friday (8 IP, 0 ER) to get his ERA below 2.00. He’s 2-1 with an 0.86 ERA in his three games against the Pirates this year, in which they are hitting .155 against him. McCutchen, a career 8-18, is the only real threat.

Burnett returned after more than a month on the DL (flexor strain) and had a no-decision against the Brewers (5 IP, 3 ER) on Thursday. He’s 2-3 with a 2.33 in his home starts, and he’s 1-0 with an 0.69 in two starts against the Cubs this season. The Cubs are 42-116 (.362) against him. Castro is 16-34 (.471).

Go Cubs!

Tags
Cubs 2015 Game Thread

Comments

Submitted by Old and Blue on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:12 am

So, Jeff Samardzija is the poster child of what is wrong with modern free agency. Well, it would be anyway if someone gave him the contract he seems to for some reason think he deserves. But it isn't beyond the realm of possibility that Theo could have extended him in a big way, and thank God he didn't. Lester, however, hell, if the Cubs had paid him $300 million last night's effort alone would have been worth it. I take back every gripe I had about him earlier in the year. If last night's win wasn't the biggest of the year, I don't know what was, and with the way the bullpen has been, well, that was just a gritty, kick ass, show me the money performance. And didn't it seem like the pickoff was a result of some little trick he came up with? I couldn't tell for sure and I don't have time this morning to read through last night's thread to see what you guys had to say about that. Maybe it was just dumb luck. Doesn't matter, that double play was huge. If Lester was going to have some suck this year, he sure picked a good time to do it. Last night was great and it was fitting that a guy who has not gotten some calls I think he should have this season, Lester, got a call that to me looked like a ball to end the game. That was such a big win. Could have been 4 losses in a row, possible double dip sweep at the hands of the Pirates, team wasn't hitting with men on (again), bullpen is a farce right now. Lester steps up huge. My only worry about tonight's game is Arrieta accidentally cuts himself before the game and sees that he bleeds like humans do.

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Submitted by crunch on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:57 am

the pickoff was marte having a massive brainfart. http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v480941083/chcpit-lester-starts-ru… lester was looking right at him...staring directly at him, facing him. marte started running. it was weird. it was also lester's 1st pickoff in 4 years. meanwhile, d.ross's double and single helped push him over the .550 OPS mark to .562...which is scarier considering he's been pitched around to get to lester for part of that OPS value (7 IBB this season vs 1 total 2009-2014...and that doesn't count ross being pitched around for other walks). it would be nice if lester could control the running game. the bonus of being able to open up a roster spot as well as a run supporting bat (amongst other pluses) would be nice...and all it requires is checking runners. he's already fast to the plate.

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Submitted by Charlie on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:21 am

Hah. I like the way he's playing this in the press. I also think that pickoff was solid work on his part, even if it also involved some brain farting by the runner (most pickoffs seem to). Unless you are Andy Pettite or John "Almost Actually a balk" Koronka, you're hoping that runner gets himself out or stays put.

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Submitted by crunch on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:31 am

it's neat he got a credited pickoff, but i'm pretty sure any random pitcher, especially a professional pitcher, could handle that situation of someone deciding to break towards 2nd and being 1/3rd of way to 2nd before stopping to attempt to return to 1st.

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Submitted by crunch on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:36 am

i wish more runners wouldn't take leads off 2nd so extreme you can't even see the back of their helmet on TV because they're so far down the line. it might put a dent in the assumptions of some that any single should score that run from 2nd no matter how weak. but yeah, runners going right for lester waving their arms would be cool, too. d.ross would probably shed a tear as eagles circled the stadium and fireworks explode.

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Submitted by johann on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:15 pm

Unlike average pitchers though that play was set up by Lester's previous pitches where he used the stare down combined with varying pitch times and his very quick release. All those things obviously confused Marte. Even with a few extra steps if the runner doesn't get a good jump he'll be out. On the only stolen base McCutchen would have been out with an on target throw and he is a very good base stealer. Yes he needs to get a pick off throw at some point and I worry about the playoffs against the Cardinaks because of it but this wasn't just luck what happened but a product of Lester fooling the Pirates with his above average mechanics.

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Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:21 pm

Yup, completely set up by his previous actions with runners on base. He did a wonderful job of mixing up timing and stalling for different times on a couple guys. And yes, it is disturbing that for the playoffs when every run could make or break things, that any walk Lester gives up is essentially as good as a double. But, if we get to a playoff game that Lester pitches, I'll be quite satisfied.

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Submitted by John Beasley on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:34 am

I mean, it's important in that it's a game in September against another playoff contender, but there was nothing unusually important about Lester's game. I know they lost 3 in a row prior, but they split the series in Philly. There was still a chance to split the series in Pittsburgh even if they got swept yesterday. The important part is that this team officially will not win the division. This team also has 99% wild card odds. As of the time they arrived in Pittsburgh, win and losses are still important, but TheoCorp, Maddon, and the players doing whatever they need to do to get ready for the Wild Card game is now the priority.

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Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:54 am

I think it was definitely a big game because of the timing and what might lie ahead. Cubs had lost 3 games in the standings vs. SF in 3+ days, and SF has a very easy, largely home schedule while the Cubs still have quite a few against playoff teams. And, it was/is important for Lester & Jake to win, because the rest of the rotation, and the pen, have been quite shaky for a while.

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Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:58 pm

If the Cubs lost, and SF won. If the Cubs went 7-11 and the Giants went 12-5, it is a tie. (Again, it all changed with Cubs won and SF lost, I am much more comfortable with a 7.5 game lead) While unlikely, those scenarios are quite realistic. The Cubs play 9 of the next 12 against playoff teams. The Giants only remaining playoff team is a 4 game series at home against the Dodgers. Aside from merely clinching the WC, Cubs would also benefit significantly by doing it earlier so they can perfectly set the rotation. At the moment, Arrieta would be pitching the playoff game on 8 days rest, which seems dangerous to me to take him that far off rhythm. They lock up things early, they can give a rookie a spot start or two to line the dates up better for Arrieta to stay on schedule with at least some short outings to stay loose.

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Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:30 pm

Had the Cubs lost that game, and SF not had a spectacular melt down in the 7th yesterday that happened after the Lester Game, the Cubs would have had a 5.5 game lead over SF, with 9 of the next 12 against playoff teams, while the Giants have 0 of 11 against playoff teams coming up. Things could have gotten way too interesting very quickly. I agree the Cubs will not win the division. Unless the Cubs win today and tomorrow, they will also be pretty much locked in to the 2nd WC spot...but a 5.5 game lead over SF with the difference in strength of schedule and SF on a roll, and the Cubs sputtering, would have made the playoffs anything but a sure thing. The Cubs win, along with the SF loss, changed a lot yesterday.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:27 am

Thanks guys, I saw it but on my phone, so the screen was tiny - hard to see exactly what happened with Marte. It's weird that a pitcher gets Steve blass disease on throws to first.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:10 pm

1. Fowler 2. Schwarber 3. Coghlan 4. Rizzo 5. Bryant 6. Montero 7. Castro 8. Baez 9. Arrieta Interesting that Pitcher is batting 9th again.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:22 pm

2 looking K's on pitches well off the plate. Burnett will jam our lefties all day long if he keeps getting that call.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:27 pm

16 of last 17 stolen base attempts on Arrieta have been successful. At one point do we start pointing fingers at our catchers between that and Lester's stats? Meanwhile, with those numbers, I can't believe every base runner doesn't take off on Arieta, seems they have little to lose and high probability.

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Submitted by crunch on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:32 pm

arrieta can only hope to hold the runner close by checking him and throwing him off. he's a really slow guy to the plate, but that's not probably not changing. you'd need a hell of a catcher to slow the running game beyond him checking runners. he probably would do better with that having d.ross catch over montero, but i'm not sure giving d.ross 120+ more PA a year is a great in-house answer.

Submitted by Eric S on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:28 pm

I'll give Castro this, at least he's consistent when fielding throws at 2nd on stolen base attempts. Consistently sucks.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:32 pm

baez had dental work done, and that's whats up with the helmet flap. len just clued us in.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:36 pm

Wasting way too many opportunities. Garbage at bats with runners in scoring position, including Arietta's failure to get Baez to 3rd for Fowler.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:57 pm

Very short leash for Burnett, but makes sense since he is fresh off the DL. With the bullpen Pitt has, they can afford it. Let's tack at least one more on here!

Submitted by JoePepitone on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:06 pm

Wow -- did Javy ever get screwed over on that called 3rd strike. Several inches outside. Robo-umps, please?

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:27 pm

That was ugly. Just throw a pitch to first base, and he'd be fine. Bullpen will have to save this one, 90 pitches through 6.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:01 pm

BAEZ!

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:20 pm

No 20th win. Sad. Really a perfect game. Ground Balls everytime he needed it. Cubs 3-16 with RISP and shaky defense (including Arietta) cost them. Pitt bullpen > Cubs Bullpen

Submitted by CTSteve on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:40 pm

Montero is out in favor of a back-up outfielder who hasn't had an AB in 9 days.

Boo, Maddon.

Submitted by Cubster on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:36 pm

It's Magic: Magic Number 10 Somewhere, from his view up on high...Ron Santo approves of this magic number.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 09/16/2015 - 09:41 pm

Nice win, very exciting game. But this game is exactly why I think home field advantage is important, so I hope the Cubs can steal tomorrow and keep the foot on the gas. All worked out today, but the thought of the season ending on one mistake pitch with 2 outs in the 11th inning is awful. I want that game on the Cubs bats in the 9th.

Recent comments

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Walker was a complimentary piece who was well past his prime. Edmonds, Holliday, Ozzie Smith and a few others were good trades. Notably, they have almost always been quiet in the free agent market. But the fundamental workings of the organization were always based primarily upon the constant output of a well oiled minor league organization. That organization has ground to a halt. And when did that hard stop start to happen? Right at the beginning of the Goldschmidt/Arenado era, perpetuated by the Contreras signing, followed by the rotation purchases during the last offseason. The timing is undeniable and, in my mind, not coincidental.

    Again, we are all saying that player development became deemphasized. I’m just linking it directly to the recent trades and involvement in the free agent market. I don’t see how the two concepts can be decoupled.

  • Charlie (view)

    The Cards also traded for both Jim Edmonds and Larry Walker. It's the developing part that has fallen off. Of course, it could also be the case that there are no more Matt Carpenters left to pull out of the hat. 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Cubs sign 28 yr old RHRP Daniel Missaki. He was in MiLB from his 17yr old to 19yr old years and did pretty well.
    He's been in Mexico and Japan the last four years and has done well also.
    He's supposedly Japanese and Brazilian.
    Interesting sign. We obviously need to RP in the system
    Injuries are mounting everywhere!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Sure, they made generally short term trades for established players to enhance what they already had or traded for players early enough in their careers that they were essentially Cardinals from the start. What they never did was to try to use the more established players as foundational cornerstones.

    Essentially we’re saying the same thing. They have given up on player development to the point that even their prospects that make it to the bigs flop so that they have to do things like buy most of their rotation and hope for the best.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I don’t buy that. They had been doing that for years.

    They did it with Matt Holliday. They did it with John Lackey. They did it with Mark Mulder. They did it with Jason Heyward, who had a great year for them. I’m sure there’s more but those come to mind immediately.

    I attribute it more to a breakdown in what they’re doing in terms of development than a culture thing.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    They won those trades and sacrificed their culture. That’s exactly their problem.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    The other part that’s kind of crazy is they made two very high profile trades, one for Goldschmidt and one for Arenado, and they very clearly won those trades. They just haven’t been able to develop players the last handful of years the way they usually do.

    I guess the moral there is it’s hard to stay on top of your game and be good at what you do in perpetuity.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Marmol was extended at the beginning of the year. Two years I believe.

  • crunch (view)

    Jesse Rogers @JesseRogersESPN
    Craig Counsell doesn’t have a timetable for Cody Bellinger who technically has two cracked ribs on his right side. CT scan showed it today.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Thought it might have been David Peralta given the open 40 man spot and how PCA has played so far. 

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