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The Chicago Cubs opened up against the Giants last night and looked great for most of the game. But bullpen collapses and odd lineup cards sound like broken records.
The Chicago Cubs are too good of a ball club to blow two-run leads in the eighth. This team is filled with guys that know what it takes to win on the biggest stage. We have an awkward mix of veterans and you guys who are figuring out where they fit on this team. These veterans need to step up and show the young talent what it takes to win.
Pedro Strop has been a vital and underappreciated piece of the Cubs success over the last few years. He is the only player I can remember from the 2016 World Series Ceremony where the team raised the flag. He was the happiest guy in the world that day and had every reason to be.
In 2019, there is a different Strop. A Strop that gets hit around far too often. A shell of what he once was for the Cubs bullpen. Strop has found himself as the 8th inning man for the Cubs, and it should not surprise anyone if that role is given to someone else.
The Opener against the Giants was an extreme disappointment. Entering the eighth with a two-run lead should result in a win for a playoff-caliber team. Pedro Strop had a bad night and got hit around, giving up three earned runs and resulting in a Cubs loss.
Robel Garcia is ripping the cover off the ball. Let the kid play, Joe Maddon. Cubs fans are tired of seeing Addison Russell out there. He brings no added value to the lineup and should not see any more starts at second base.
Enough with the negatives. This team is what Javier Baez would call FUEGO. The offense looked pretty good yesterday. Alec Mills is a serviceable inning eater, and this team is 7-3 after the break. Anthony Rizzo is an OBP machine, reaching base in 21 straight games. The best backstop in baseball, Willson Contreras, will be in the lineup any day now. This team is closer to World Series contention than Cubs fans know. Believe in Theo to make a big move. Believe in the guys in the dugout.