edfunderburk

What’s going on with the Cubs? When you look over the rosters of every team in the NL Central, it’s difficult not to come away with the impression that the most well-rounded roster belongs to the Cubs. They’ve got the best rotation, a terrific defense and a lineup with an intriguing mix of veterans and up-and-comers. Seven of their nine regular position players and three of their starting pitchers are under 30 (and one of the ones who isn’t, Imanaga, is a rookie). They also have the new manager, Craig Counsell, who is widely considered one of the best in the sport. It’s not a perfect roster -- and the Cubs don’t really rank up there with the Phillies, Braves or Dodgers -- but in the NL Central? They look like the class of the division. So what happened? The Cubs were in first place in the NL Central on May 8, then they won two out of three from the Pirates. Everything was in great shape. And then the bottom fell out. They lost two out of three in Atlanta, three out of four at home to Pittsburgh and two out of three at home to the Braves. They were swept out of St. Louis in two games, and then during a miserable series in Milwaukee, where the team lost three out of four, Counsell was booed incessantly until the team left town in third place and one game under .500. Since May 13, only the Mets and White Sox have been worse than the Cubs. The Cardinals have even passed them! Some of this has been bad luck. In the past two weeks, the Cubs have lost four games in which their starting pitcher didn’t give up a run. But their stars are struggling. Dansby Swanson is 1-for-his-last-19. Seiya Suzuki is not having the breakout year many were predicting. Neither is Christopher Morel and neither is Justin Steele. The bullpen has been inconsistent and injured. The Cubs are also going through a tough stretch in the schedule -- they’ve had a ton of games against the Braves, Brewers and Paul Skenes (two of Skenes’ four starts have been against the Cubs). And they caught the Cardinals at just the wrong time. But still: This is a sub-.500 team right now. The Cubs were supposed to be taking a leap this year. So far, they’re not.

Sanchez’s can stay on the MLB team 💪

We need to swap out the bottom 2-3 players on our roster 🤮 I was encouraged to see Mitch White DFA’d There are a few more players who could be cut or sent to Nashville to see if anyone there can produce

I believe those are his children … & I agree they should not be there …

I hope that is the last time Mitch White pitches for the Brewers If he is DFA’d no one picks him up He can pitch in Nashville

What about the year before the trade? Ortiz was big league ready in 2023 more so than Chourio is in 2024

Uh … I’m aware of who is in their minor league system I’m suggesting that Ortiz should have been on the Orioles roster instead of Mateo in 2023 & maybe earlier

Save the pen

I’ve been vocal about him in the cleanup spot - he was struggling terribly for a few weeks … but he has recovered & is currently fire hot

Wow! Mitch White actually recorded three outs in succession - I didn’t know that was possible

Let me try again … How did Baltimore choose to keep Mateo as a starter when they had access to Ortiz in their minor league system? Ortiz is far superior to Mateo

I’d rather play with 25 than have him on the roster

I love it when Willy gets red hot He’s on a tear

I’ve always hated watching Kendricks pitch

How on earth does a great FO like Baltimore’s keep Mateo over Ortiz?

The ump blew the 2-2 pitch call to run the count full before Happ homered Sanchez got hosed on his 3-2 pitch - first base ump saying he went around

Imanaga has troll-like hair

Yeli finally has his homer after returning from injury

So glad Dunn didn’t start tonight Ortiz is the real deal

We are due to break out against a Cubs starter Their new ace is due for a dud too I hope both take place tonight Brewers 8-2

Nice play by Ortiz

Gasser for Hader straight up would have been a good trade 😉

It was a great trade then & a better trade today

New Brewers closer … MITCH WHITE