Cubs vs. Reds: Mills vs. DeSclafani (Game 95)

CHC (50-44): RHP Alec Mills (0-0, -.-- ERA)
CIN (43-48): RHP Anthony DeSclafani (5-4, 4.26 ERA)
First pitch 7:05pmCDT

Bad news first: The Cubs dropped the first game of the series in frustrating fashion (no hitting with RISP, fielding errors, bullpen inadequacy) and Willson is going to the IL with a foot injury. In the meantime, the Cubs are sending Mike Montgomery to KC in exchange for Martin Maldonado. Caratini seems likely to get plenty of at bats and the Cubs will have the option to use him more in the pinch if they keep Maldonado around after Contreras's IL stint ends.More bad news, for me specifically: I forgot that Cole Hamels injured his oblique! Alec Mills's spot start comes as a surprise to me only. The 27-year-old righty has spent all of 2019 at AAA so far. I no longer know to evaluate minor league pitching stats now that the pitcher-friendly PCL combines with the juiced MLB ball, but he's gone 6-2 with a 4.73 ERA for the I-Cubs. He wasn't too bad in 18 innings with Chicago last year, making two starts and appearing twice out of the bullpen. The first of those starts was was a no-decision against Cincinnati, in which Mills allowed one earned run over 5.2 innings while striking out eight. He allowed one run to score on a Philip Ervin double in the second. The Cubs won that August 24th game on a walk-off HR from Bote.

Following his victory over the Cubs on June 30, DeSclafani's last start was a no-decision against Cleveland. He allowed two earned runs in six innings pitched on a pair of solo homeruns. Bryant is 7-20 off of him with a homerun (1-3 with a double against him on 6/30) and Schwarber is 5-14 with a homer and three walks (2-3 with two singles off him and a homer off Lorenzen on 6/30).

The Cubs are 3-7 against the Reds prior to today's game.

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Dolorous Jon Lester 04/24/2024 - 04:07 pm (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 04/24/2024 - 04:30 pm (view)

They won those trades and sacrificed their culture. That’s exactly their problem.
Dolorous Jon Lester 04/24/2024 - 04:38 pm (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 04/24/2024 - 04:25 pm (view)

Marmol was extended at the beginning of the year. Two years I believe.
crunch 04/24/2024 - 04:54 pm (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 04/24/2024 - 04:13 pm (view)

Thought it might have been David Peralta given the open 40 man spot and how PCA has played so far.
Dolorous Jon Lester 04/24/2024 - 04:13 pm (view)

I hope they keep Mozeliak a few more years. Marmol too!
crunch 04/24/2024 - 04:44 pm (view)

wow, counsell coming with the early lineup. rarity.

canario/tauchman/happ RF/CF/LF
crunch 04/24/2024 - 04:08 pm (view)

PCA called up.
crunch 04/24/2024 - 04:54 pm (view)

welp...

bellinger...fractured rib.

a not-very-ready PCA will probably be called up when it would be much better for him to be in AAA getting regular ABs.

Cubs MLB Roster

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