Cubs vs Cards: Series Thread (Games 35-37)

The Cubs staged multiple comebacks but came up just short of a sweep against the Marlins. Next they greet an underperforming Cardinals team for three games at Wrigley. The Cards just ended an eight-game skid and must be desperate to claw their way back into the division race. Former Cubs Willson Contreras might be at the center if the drama this weekend as his defensive role is under discussion. See below for matchups.

Game 35, Monday, May 9, 6:40 pm central
STL: RHP Mile Mikolas (1-1, 5.79 ERA)
CHC: RHP Marcus Stroman (2-2, 2.18 ERA)

This will be the 34-year-old Mikolas's eighth start of the season. His opponents have been squaring him up for a 31.3% line drive rate and taken him deep on 15.9% of fly balls. Mikolas has improved of late, putting up a 3.13 ERA in his last four starts despite a ground ball percentage that remains low.

Stroman turned in another strong start on May 3, going 6 and allowing one earned runs to the Nationals. His last win came back on April 7.

Game 36, Tuesday, May 10, 6:40 pm central
STL: RHP Jack Flaherty (2-4, 6.29 ERA)
CHC: RHP Jameson Taillon (0-2. 5.29 ERA)

After posting an impressive 2019 and serving as the Opening Day starter in 2020, Flaherty has struggled to stay healthy. He pitched 78.1 innings and 36.0 innings in 2021 and 2022 respectively. He's fighting a bloated walk rate so far, matching a trend that began for him in 2022.

Taillon returned to action on May 4, going three innings before passing the baton to Assad. Ross will have a needle to thread between helping Taillon build back up and sparing a bullpen that covered eight of Sunday's fourteen innings.

Game 37, Wednesday, May 11, 6:40 pm central
STL: LHP Jordan Montgomery (2-4, 3.29 ERA)
CHC: LHP Justin Steele (5-0, 1.45 ERA)

Montgomery made only 17 MLB starts from 2018-2020, but showed the capacity to be a solid mid-rotation starter in the last two years. He's the only Cardinals starter meeting--or exceeding--expectations so far in 2023.

Steele continued his superb 2023 work by allowing one earned run in seven innings last time out. He picked up the win against the Marlins and is looking to continue an undefeated streak to start the season.

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crunch 11/28/2023 - 11:38 pm (view)

bellinger wins comeback player of the year. the AL winner was liam hendricks and his 5ip before he got tommy john...setting himself up for a 2025 shot at the award.
Bill 11/27/2023 - 11:15 pm (view)

I hope that Perlaza goes on to have a successful career. On most Cubs teams prior to the current administration, he would have been one of their more highly ranked prospects. As far as the others are concerned, one or more may well go on to be much better than expected, but unfortunately there is no way to tell which one at the present time. You can't keep everyone.
crunch 11/27/2023 - 11:36 am (view)

s.gray signs with the cards...3/75m
Arizona Phil 11/27/2023 - 11:21 am (view)

Another one of the nine Cubs post-2023 Rule 9 minor league 6YFA has signed, as RHP Carlos Guzman (acquired from the Tigers for Zack McKinstry at the end of Spring Training) signed a 2024 minor league contract with the Mets.

So RHRP Yovanny Cruz (SD), C-INF P. J. Higgins (CIN), and now Carlos Guzman (NYM) have already signed 2024 minor league contracts with new MLB organizations, and OF Yonathan Perlaza is headed for Korea (Hanhwa Eagles).
crunch 11/26/2023 - 11:49 pm (view)

...and back to 3rd for another game. at this point i'm gonna hang back and when/if he actually plays 1st then i'll find it notable. i am glad he's playing a good amount of 3rd, though...give the club one more good look at him there. shrug
crunch 11/25/2023 - 11:31 pm (view)

morel played SS last night (no errors)...hit a homer and a double. he's got 2 of both in 19PA.
crunch 11/25/2023 - 11:28 pm (view)

e.escobar was throwing 95-97mph on his fastball in 2023.
Arizona Phil 11/25/2023 - 11:05 pm (view)

One more thing about Edwin Escobar. Even though he had accrued less than one year of MLB Service Time prior to signing with Nippon Ham in 2017 (he ended up eventually with Yokohama), he will have Article XIX-A rights by virtue of the seven seasons he spent in Japan. So he will be essentially locked on the 40-man roster (or at least he can't be outrighted without his consent), and he will be a FA whenever his contract expires.
Arizona Phil 11/25/2023 - 11:57 pm (view)

Also, Pirates were supposedly in on Escobar, too, so if the Cubs sign him to a minor league contract there is a very good chance that the Pirates will select him in the Rule 5 Draft. So even though it means he would take up a slot on the 40, it better be a major league contract if the Cubs don't want to lose him right after signing him!
Arizona Phil 11/25/2023 - 11:27 am (view)

Ronald Acuna's cousin.

Cubs MLB Roster

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