Cubs @ Reds: Darvish vs. Gray (Game 40

CHC (25-14): RHP Yu Darvish (2-3, 5.40 ERA)
CIN (18-24): RHP Sonny Gray (0-4, 4.15 ERA)
First pitch 5:40pmCDT

We're roughly a quarter of the way through this season. The Cubs are in first, Bryant is back on track, Baez and Contreras still look like All-Stars, and Hendricks has found his groove. Darvish, however, still has no command of his pitches. The movement and velocity on his pitches remains great, but he misses the zone frequently and by wide margins. Batters' swing rates against him are down, 41.2% this year vs. 44.9% in his career. We haven't really seen him get batters to chase in his time as a Cub. He's gotten 26.6% and 26% chase rates this year and last vs. rates right around 30% in his years in Texas. Last time out, he was limited to four innings despite allowing only one run due to the combination of 6 walks and 7 strikeouts. There's almost no history between him and Reds' hitters, but Cincinnati's not a good place to struggle with walks.

Sonny Gray's been solid in 2019, improving on his strikeouts, groundouts, and homerun rate compared to 2018 with Yankees. His command has slipped a bit in the last two starts. On May 8, he went 4.1 against the Athletics allowing 5 walks and getting 3 strikeouts. Current Cubs are 2-14 against him with 1 strikeout and no walks.

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crunch 04/23/2024 - 04:11 pm (view)

luke little rejoins the MLB party...
crunch 04/23/2024 - 04:09 pm (view)

hendricks IL...lower back...

given recent backlash by MLB, i doubt this is a phanton IL.

wtf...also drew smyly to IL...right hip...
crunch 04/23/2024 - 04:05 pm (view)

boston, houston, miami...lots of potential suitors for a backup 1st/DH who won't be pain if they need regular ABs
Childersb3 04/23/2024 - 04:47 pm (view)

BOS 1B Casas just hit the IL. Maybe Cooper goes there.
Cooper leaving does open a 40man spot. Probably for an arm at some point.
Horton?
Maybe Caissie
crunch 04/23/2024 - 04:43 pm (view)

now that cooper is gone, who's going to the IL? seems like it will probably be a pitcher at this point.
crunch 04/23/2024 - 04:32 pm (view)

can't wait to see what A-ball fringe corner OF/1st he'll be traded for...
Childersb3 04/23/2024 - 04:29 pm (view)

Cooper DFA'd
Arizona Phil 04/23/2024 - 04:03 pm (view)

Players on the 40 can be recalled and be placed on the MLB Taxi Squad for one day, like for example if a club is unsure if a player might or might not be placed on the IL ("game time decision"). Like maybe Happ, for example.
Also, a player on the MLB Taxi Squad must be returned to his optional assignment the next day if he is not officially recalled to the 26-man roster.
The player is NOT paid at the MLB split rate and does NOT accrue MLB Service Time while he is on the Taxi Squad. Also, it is not considered to be an official recall / option back if he is not added to the 26-man roster.
Arizona Phil 04/23/2024 - 04:02 pm (view)

Wesneski has not spent 15 days on optional assignment since he was optioned so he cannot be recalled unless he is replacing a player being placed on the IL or other MLB inactive list (Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical, et al), a player who is traded, or a player who is claimed off waivers.
crunch 04/23/2024 - 04:40 pm (view)

excited to see more power in the lineup.

HOU going with 3 righty starters vs the cubs and their only lefty pen arm is hader.

unless busch has a mystery injury, we should see busch+mervis working all 3 games.

Cubs MLB Roster

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