Top Play (WPA): If we were just talking about the Cubs, I’d say the top play falls either on Kyle Schwarber catching in the top of the ninth or the Blackhawks bringing the Stanley Cup to Wrigley Field. But for a little positivity, we’ll stick with Schwarber and his major-league debut. He first appeared in the bottom of the eighth inning in the on deck circle while Kris Bryant batted with two out. Bryant struck out looking, and it appeared we’d need to wait to see Schwarber.
But with Miguel Montero having been tossed earlier and the Cubs trailing 5-0, Joe Maddon let Schwarber get a taste of the big leagues from behind the plate. Zac Rosscup struggled with a tight shoulder (which sounds like it may be fine) and allowed a run to score, making it 6-0. But with two on and two out, Justin Grimm got David Murphy looking on a fastball that Schwarber framed perfectly (.000). It didn’t have much of an effect on the outcome, but it was a fun taste of things to come.
Bottom Play (WPA): Okay, I promise I actually have something for this. With one out in the top of the third, Jake Arrieta issued his third walk of the game to Jason Kipnis. After Kipnis stole second base and Francisco Lindor struck out, Michael Brantley earned the fourth walk of the game. It was an uncharacteristic loss of control from Arrieta, who walked six in total and whose previous high in walks this season had been three.
Then came Carlos Santana, who was up to his evil ways. He put a smooth swing on an outside fastball from Arrieta, the second pitch that he saw in the at-bat, and he pulled it out into the right field bleachers (.305). I am at a loss for how he got around on a 94 mph fastball that high and outside and pulled it for a homer. That’s some serious power. Take a look at the location for yourself.
That gave the Indians a 3-0 lead and it ended up being the game winning hit. Trevor Bauer was dealing, and the Cubs only got four hits (all singles) and three walks against him while striking out seven times in seven innings.
Key Moment: Again, I’m looking at Schwarber. He came up for his first at-bat in the big leagues in the top of the ninth inning. He was facing Indians left-handed reliever Marc Rzepczynski, and he got initiated into the club quickly. Schwarber took the first pitch for a strike, swung at the second pitch and missed it, and then took strike three looking. All in all, considering that he got to catch an inning and got an at-bat, just getting that experience before five days of DHing is somewhat of a success.
Check out the highlights from Schwarber’s special day.
Trend to Watch: Addison Russell struggled in the early going of his major-league career; his biggest issue was making contact, which was frequently documented. Through May 25, a span of 30 games, Russell’s strikeout rate was 36.9 percent. It had some wondering (guilty) if he might need to head back to Triple-A at some point to get things figured out. After all, the Cubs are in a playoff race and his offense was hurting the team, it seemed.
But in his last 17 games, going back to May 26, Russell is batting .293/.359/.431 with a homer, five doubles, and only 14 strikeouts in 64 plate appearances. The slash line is exciting, because it’s reflective of the tangible success he’s had at the plate recently. But to me, the best news is the 21.8 percent strikeout rate. The fools who questioned whether he was ready for the big leagues have been proven wrong.
Coming Next: After the one game played against the Cleveland Indians in Chicago, the Cubs will play two in Cleveland. The pitching matchup for Wednesday night’s game is Tsuyoshi Wada, who has struggled recently, versus Shaun Marcum, who is coming off of a seven inning shutout of the Mariners. Starlin Castro has the most experience of any Cubs hitter against Marcum, with a .105 batting average and a homer in 19 at-bats.
The bats were asleep against Bauer, but they’re going to need to wake up if the Cubs are going to keep pace with the Cardinals and Pirates, who both won last night and pushed the Cubs to eight games out of first place and two back of the first Wild Card spot.
Photo courtesy of Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports