Chicago Cubs weekly recap: Hendricks’ hot streak continues

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The Chicago Cubs continue to do some shifting, in Chicago and down on the farm. Former first-round pick Brett Jackson was dealt, Junior Lake was optioned to Iowa and Dan Straily made his Cubs debut, albeit a temporary one. Those moves aside, the Cubs continued to play close games, aside from a tough debut from Straily, and more of the same from Edwin Jackson. Can we please hide him in the bullpen like a Rule 5 pick? Please? Okay, let’s get down to it.

This Week: 3-4   Season: 53-70, 16 GB – Fifth in the NL Central

The Good: Kyle Hendricks was masterful again, picking up his third straight victory. The rookie seems to be growing more and more confident each time out. With the way he’s pitching now, that could mean good things to come.

The Bad: Edwin Jackson continues his struggles in Chicago. The veteran right-hander failed to go five innings again, and has lost six of his last seven decisions, despite stringing together some quality starts.

The Ugly: Former first-round pick Brett Jackson was traded to the Rockies. After being the “face” of the Cubs future before Baez, Bryant and Soler, the leash had come to an end for Jackson. His debut in 2012 was less than memorable, as he struck out 59 times in 120 at-bats. Jackson never found his way back, but will now have a chance to start over in Colorado.

The Cubs opened the week against division rival Milwaukee. Game one saw a great matchup as Yovani Gallardo faced off against Jake Arrieta. Arrieta did not disappoint, pitching well after coming off his worst outing of the season in Colorado. He allowed only two runs over 7 1/3 innings, but the Cubs failed to provide him any offensive help in the 3-1 loss. The highlight of the game was a sensational catch by a fan in the left field bleachers on Mark Reynolds homer in the second. The fan reached up and made a fantastic grab before swapping out balls to throw it back.

Clearly fans rarely do that, and always throw the actual home run ball back. Nor do they reveal trade secrets. Ahem, moving on.

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In game two it was Hendricks looking to stay hot against one of the NL’s best in Wily Peralta. But the odds were against Peralta, as the Cubs seem to have him figured out. And recently, nobody has Hendricks figured out. Hendricks tossed 7 1/3 innings of six-hit ball to beat the Brewers 3-0. Peralta, who was 6-0 against the rest of the NL Central, dropped to 0-3 against the last place Cubs. Tsuyoshi Wada continues to impress, and even though he’s 34, he’s been as inspiring as the youngsters. Wada was finally chased in the seventh after allowing back-to-back home runs, but had been coasting before that. He got plenty of support from the “future”, and Javier Baez, Starlin Castro, and Anthony Rizzo accounted for all four Cubs’ runs. Baez hit a tape-measure shot onto Waveland in the third, and before the crowd could sit down, Rizzo followed with a homer of his own. The Cubs went on to win 4-2, guaranteeing nothing less than a series split.

Once again Cubs starter Edwin Jackson failed to escape the first inning without allowing a run, continuing to force himself to pitch from behind. Jackson allowed five runs in his 4 2/3 innings, taking the loss in the 6-2 contest. Jacob Turner, recently acquired from the Marlins, made his Cubs debut and pitched 2 1/3 scoreless. Works for me. Let’s switch these two. In two seasons, the Cubs as a team may end up losing about 200 games. This one man is on pace for accounting for 40 of them. Something needs to change here. The Cubs keep “trimming the fat”, making moves, calling up the young kids. But somehow Jackson survives all this and runs out there every fifth day, normally with less than positive results. Jed, Theo….please, do something.

The Cubs then traveled to New York to take on the Mets for a four-game series. The Cubs are in the midst of 20 games in 20 days, so as of this post the Cubs will have one more to play against the Mets. Travis Wood pitched much better than he has been, but once again was bit by walks and a high pitch count. He took the loss, and is now 0-5 in his last 11 starts. The offense continued its struggles as well, striking out 14 more times against the Mets. Starter Zack Wheeler struck out 10 of the 14. In the last eight games, the Cubs have struck out 81 times.

Dan Straily made his Cubs debut this week, even though it was only a spot start. Straily was sent down immediately following the game, as outfielder Matt Sczur was called up. Straily pitched well until his control eluded him in the sixth. Straily allowed seven runs, five earned over his 5 1/3 innings. The offensive woes continued with 10 more strikeouts. Welington Castillo and Justin Ruggiano both homered for the Cubs in the 7-3 loss.

Sunday would normally finish off a series for the Cubs, but the long stretch of games has the calendar a bit off for a few weeks. So the Cubs entered the third game of the series sending Jake Arrieta to the hill for the second time this week. Arrieta went seven, allowing only two hits while striking out nine, but would factor in the decision. Pedro Strop allowed a run in the eight, but a clutch opposite field home run in the ninth by Starlin Castro got him off the hook. Strop even qualified for the win after Hector Rondon pitched a quick ninth to end the Cubs three-game skid.

Cubs Players of the Week

Starlin Castro – Castro continues to be aggressive at the plate, and the payoff continues with it. He saw his 14-game hit streak come to an end, but hit the deciding home run today to lift the Cubs over the Mets. Plenty of chatter continues to swirl that he could be trade bait in the winter. But even though the Cubs have a lot of depth at the shortstop position in the system, Castro is a proven All-Star, no one else is.

Jake Arrieta – After the rough outing in Colorado, Arrieta bounced back for two superb starts, but didn’t get a victory in either. Arrieta allowed two runs in 14 1/3 innings this week, but lack of run support doomed him in one contest, his bullpen in the other. But he continues to get better and better, and is establishing himself as a top of the rotation guy.

The Cubs front-office continues to make moves, picking up Turner via trade, optioning a struggling Junior Lake to Iowa, and calling up Matt Sczur. I thought it would be Jorge Soler, but that was only theory. The move for Lake will be a positive, as he can work out some of his issues at the plate, just like Mike Olt has, and possibly make a return with September call-ups.

The Cubs also traded Brett Jackson, their former first-round pick of 2009. This is a cautionary tale that goes to show not every highly touted prospect will make it. With all the talk of how many shortstops the Cubs have in the system, Castro is the only one proven. Baez is up, but has work to do, and Adddison Russel isn’t a sure thing. The Cubs are playing safety in numbers, and it’s working out well.

The sore spot for me continues to be the other Jackson. Edwin. Talk has surfaced that he could lose his starting spot, but for now it seems nothing will change. But Straily, and well as Turner may be banging on the door shortly for that spot, and the Cubs would be foolish not to give one of them the chance.

Jackson has 31 losses over the last two seasons. He clearly doesn’t get it. There’s no more “grinding it out” or “finding his way”. Need to make a change with him.

The Javy Baez record now stands at 6-7 since his call up. He’s not changing the world, but he’s looked smooth at second base, and has shown that power. He, like Arismendy Alcantara in center, are works in progress. Both are playing out of their natural positions while trying to succeed in the Majors. It will take some time for both, but early results are good.

The Cubs play seven more days without an off-day, so don’t be surprised to see some more small moves with the pitching staff over the next week.

Also, go ahead and let out that deep breath, as Kris Bryant’s MRI came back as only a bone bruise, and he’s day-to day with no set return date. Bullet dodged Cub fans.

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