Kyle Hendricks (Creative Commons: apardavila)
I’ve written off the Chicago Cubs at various times this season. Last night was the latest and I assume the last time I’ll do it this year. I believe the team, as it’s currently constructed, just isn’t that good. And that’s on Jed Hoyer. These puzzle pieces just don’t fit. Last night was pretty much a perfect encapsulation of the Cubs,
Kyle Hendricks worked four scoreless innings and then was dinged for three runs on two home runs in the fifth inning. As for the Cubs, they drew six walks off Diamondbacks” starter, Zac Gallen and still couldn’t score. The Cubs did mount a serious threat in the bottom of the fifth.
After a Nico Hoerner walk and a Michael Busch double into the left field wall vines, Seiya Suzuki struck out on an incredibly weak check swing. That was in turn followed by an Ian Happ strikeout on a high fastball. Christopher Morel then drew a walk to load the bases, after which Mike Tauchman tapped out.
So, when I say the Cubs threatened, it’s sort of like when and old man tells kids to stay off his yard while shaking his fist. It was that kind of threat.
What was with Kile Hendricks and Joc Pederson?
In a sidebar to the game, after giving up two home runs in the inning, Hendricks hit Pederson. On the fifth pitch of the at bat, and after had the first four pitches come inside to Joc. I believe two of those pitches were actually behind Peterson. Has Henrdricks morphed into a Wild Thing? When your heater sits in the upper 80s, that doesn’t work. It was honestly bizarre to watch.
Maybe Pederson is in Hendricks’ fantasy football league.
In the song by Paper Lace at least the bad guys on the old east side out up a fight, which is more than can be said for the guys on the old north side. Ah yes, as a variation of the song here’s what happened:
I heard the Cubs fans cry
I heard them pray the night the Cubbies died
The Cubs are nice guys, and they are in last place
When you hear Cubs players being interviewed, they are nice, articulate and easy to like. And a lot of them even have great hair. They remind me of Steve Garvey, but without all the baby mommas.
They also aren’t a winning combination.
Look for Jed to make a big move. Like picking up a fringe reliever on waivers. That seems to be what Jed is capable of doing.
Jed is like the players on the team in that he is articulate, and reasonably likeable. And like the Cubs players, also isn’t getting the job done. The Cubs as a team are like a team with runners in scoring position. And Jed Hoyer, like the actual Cubs on the field has taken a called third strike.
Frankly, a lot of Cubs players need to relocate. And Jed should go with them.
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