Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 25, 2023 7:15:15 GMT -5
Chicago Cubs (37-30) @ Philadelphia Phillies (33-31)
CHC: Dave Vasquez (4-4, 5.20)
PHI: Jose Quesada (0-0, 2.60)
Cubs 3 Key Stats
6: Consecutive seasons with a losing record: The Cubs mortgaged their future hard in their early 2020s in a quest for a championship that never arrived. Afterwards, there was enough Francisco Lindor and remnant talent for the high end stars to prop up a minor league cast to win totals in the 70s. The last few years so the worst contracts finally come off the books and a handful of prospects to make the PBA. With Chicago’s books cleansed, they were able to acquire veteran talent in the offseason in a quest to make the playoffs again for the first time since 2024.
5.44: Dave Vasquez career ERA: Chicago acquired Vasquez as the reward for taking on Yoan Moncada’s salary in 2027 and watched him become the game’s #63 prospect before the 2028 season. Vasquez even advanced to become a Top 25 prospect by the end of the year. However, he hasn’t had huge success in the majors. After seeing some time as a rookie in 2028, he had a solid sophomore year in 2029 with 3.1 WAR based on good luck on limiting homers, and good strike zone command, but he had only six wins and a 4.54 ERA. He went 6-17 with a 6.31 ERA last year, and with 37 walks to 45 strikeouts in 62.1 innings this year, is carrying a disappointing 5.20 ERA. The Cubs will need Vasquez to step up and support the offense if they want to make a surprise run to the playoffs this year.
3.28: Chicago’s bullpen ERA: The Cubs have long had an abominable bullpen once the glory days ended, but that’s been turned on its head this year. The 3.28 Cubs bullpen ERA is second in the ERA. David Janes has been a reliable closer, Tanner Heath has turned into a strong relief arm, but the key to the Cubs pen success may be Ernesto Estrada. The Venezuelan has had a nondescript career, but has been exceptional this year with a 3-0 record and a 1.91 ERA. A .236 BABIP is unsustainable and explains a lot, but an excellent 3.4% walk rate will keep his 0.87 WHIP low. If Estrada can keep limiting walks, he’s continue to be an asset in a surprising Cubs pen.
Phillies 3 Key Stats
4: Injuries suffered by Allen Whitmore: Whitmore had a huge sophomore year with 41 homers and 48 doubles, offsetting the loss of power production by a departing Isaiah High. However, his 2031 season has been dreadful, in no small part due to injuries. He was curtailed early in the year with a bruised collarbone, and when that healed up, he suffered a bad elbow bruise and a minor hamstring strain on back-to-back days. With two injures and hamstrings tricky to manage, Matt Grubs thought it best to sideline Whitmore for a month. When he came back, he was rejuvenated a bit due to his collarbone fully healing, but a minor hand thing has popped up recently that forced him to exit Saturday’s game early. He’s only hitting for a .344 slugging percentage, nearly 300 points off his 2030 numbers. Hopefully for his sake, he puts his hand injury behind him and can regain his form.
-10.7: Charles Galemberti’s Zone Rating: Destiny has played all over the infield this year, but it’s been his destiny to struggle wherever placed. He’s played 11 games at Second Base with a -2.1 zone rating, 20 at Shortstop with a -4.6 mark, and 29 at Third Base, posting a -3.0 mark. With Royce Lewis hurt, the Phillies don’t have a defensive-oriented Shortstop on the roster or upper minors, and Anderson Franco’s struggles have forced Destiny to play some at Third Base to get more production there. With Galemberti out today, the Phillies offense will likely take a hit, but the defense may improve by default.
1: Start over 5 IP for Jose Quesada: Coming back from a strained oblique, Grubs hasn’t wanted to rush his star infielder back to soon from injury. Quesada has made four starts, but limited to 18 batters, he’s only once finished the fifth inning. He’s been successful as he has a 2.60 ERA, with two walks and 14 strikeouts in 17.1 innings, but it’s put some strain on a bullpen that only ranks 10th in bullpen ERA. With some innings under his belt, maybe today is the day last year’s Rookie of the Month for May is allowed to stretch out a little further.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jon Richardson, Basket Case Benoit has a lacerated hand. Will he see any time on the IL or try to play through it?
How have you adjusted your roster to account for Francisco Lindor’s recent injury?
You have a number of exhausted players on your roster. Who will get the day off today and who will be in your starting lineup?
For Matt Grubs, Destiny Galimberti has some elbow inflammation. Who will play Second Base today in his place?
Allen Whitmore has a sore hand. Will he play today?
Stud Morales’ torn thumb ligament appears to have healed. Will he jump right into the lineup or go into a rehab assignment?
TRIVIA: Who has the most single season wins in a season for the Cubs since 2025?
CHC: Dave Vasquez (4-4, 5.20)
PHI: Jose Quesada (0-0, 2.60)
Cubs 3 Key Stats
6: Consecutive seasons with a losing record: The Cubs mortgaged their future hard in their early 2020s in a quest for a championship that never arrived. Afterwards, there was enough Francisco Lindor and remnant talent for the high end stars to prop up a minor league cast to win totals in the 70s. The last few years so the worst contracts finally come off the books and a handful of prospects to make the PBA. With Chicago’s books cleansed, they were able to acquire veteran talent in the offseason in a quest to make the playoffs again for the first time since 2024.
5.44: Dave Vasquez career ERA: Chicago acquired Vasquez as the reward for taking on Yoan Moncada’s salary in 2027 and watched him become the game’s #63 prospect before the 2028 season. Vasquez even advanced to become a Top 25 prospect by the end of the year. However, he hasn’t had huge success in the majors. After seeing some time as a rookie in 2028, he had a solid sophomore year in 2029 with 3.1 WAR based on good luck on limiting homers, and good strike zone command, but he had only six wins and a 4.54 ERA. He went 6-17 with a 6.31 ERA last year, and with 37 walks to 45 strikeouts in 62.1 innings this year, is carrying a disappointing 5.20 ERA. The Cubs will need Vasquez to step up and support the offense if they want to make a surprise run to the playoffs this year.
3.28: Chicago’s bullpen ERA: The Cubs have long had an abominable bullpen once the glory days ended, but that’s been turned on its head this year. The 3.28 Cubs bullpen ERA is second in the ERA. David Janes has been a reliable closer, Tanner Heath has turned into a strong relief arm, but the key to the Cubs pen success may be Ernesto Estrada. The Venezuelan has had a nondescript career, but has been exceptional this year with a 3-0 record and a 1.91 ERA. A .236 BABIP is unsustainable and explains a lot, but an excellent 3.4% walk rate will keep his 0.87 WHIP low. If Estrada can keep limiting walks, he’s continue to be an asset in a surprising Cubs pen.
Phillies 3 Key Stats
4: Injuries suffered by Allen Whitmore: Whitmore had a huge sophomore year with 41 homers and 48 doubles, offsetting the loss of power production by a departing Isaiah High. However, his 2031 season has been dreadful, in no small part due to injuries. He was curtailed early in the year with a bruised collarbone, and when that healed up, he suffered a bad elbow bruise and a minor hamstring strain on back-to-back days. With two injures and hamstrings tricky to manage, Matt Grubs thought it best to sideline Whitmore for a month. When he came back, he was rejuvenated a bit due to his collarbone fully healing, but a minor hand thing has popped up recently that forced him to exit Saturday’s game early. He’s only hitting for a .344 slugging percentage, nearly 300 points off his 2030 numbers. Hopefully for his sake, he puts his hand injury behind him and can regain his form.
-10.7: Charles Galemberti’s Zone Rating: Destiny has played all over the infield this year, but it’s been his destiny to struggle wherever placed. He’s played 11 games at Second Base with a -2.1 zone rating, 20 at Shortstop with a -4.6 mark, and 29 at Third Base, posting a -3.0 mark. With Royce Lewis hurt, the Phillies don’t have a defensive-oriented Shortstop on the roster or upper minors, and Anderson Franco’s struggles have forced Destiny to play some at Third Base to get more production there. With Galemberti out today, the Phillies offense will likely take a hit, but the defense may improve by default.
1: Start over 5 IP for Jose Quesada: Coming back from a strained oblique, Grubs hasn’t wanted to rush his star infielder back to soon from injury. Quesada has made four starts, but limited to 18 batters, he’s only once finished the fifth inning. He’s been successful as he has a 2.60 ERA, with two walks and 14 strikeouts in 17.1 innings, but it’s put some strain on a bullpen that only ranks 10th in bullpen ERA. With some innings under his belt, maybe today is the day last year’s Rookie of the Month for May is allowed to stretch out a little further.
Questions for the GMs:
For Jon Richardson, Basket Case Benoit has a lacerated hand. Will he see any time on the IL or try to play through it?
How have you adjusted your roster to account for Francisco Lindor’s recent injury?
You have a number of exhausted players on your roster. Who will get the day off today and who will be in your starting lineup?
For Matt Grubs, Destiny Galimberti has some elbow inflammation. Who will play Second Base today in his place?
Allen Whitmore has a sore hand. Will he play today?
Stud Morales’ torn thumb ligament appears to have healed. Will he jump right into the lineup or go into a rehab assignment?
TRIVIA: Who has the most single season wins in a season for the Cubs since 2025?
