Chicago Cubs’ Tyler Chatwood was outstanding in his second start

Chicago Cubs’ Tyler Chatwood was ‘lights out’ in his second start. Kyle Ryan? Not so impressive–and that was after David Ross talked him up.

The Chicago Cubs’ Tyler Chatwood? Dominant. He threw a cutter in the dirt to Gregory Polanco, as he had a few choice words (and you can hear them) as he walked the bases loaded. Jeremy Jeffress came in to end the seventh and eighth innings. The ninth? We’ll get to that. Back to Chatty.

He was awe-inspiring. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, walking two with three hits. And he struck out an astounding 11 hitters. He did it with 46 sinkers, 23 cutters and 15 curveballs. Do you know how many fastballs he threw? Four. He did it with movement–and he was so good at it.

“I wanted that last one,” Chatwood said. h/t Jordan Bastain, MLB.com

Now, back to Kyle Ryan. He was ‘chatted up’ by Cubs manager David Ross. After all, he had 2 2/3 innings pitched with no runs earned. Last night, he gave up three runs (one with Rowan Wick on the mound), and Colin Moran hit a two-run home run. It was deemed ‘defensive indifference’ as Bryan Reynolds took third, then scored when Wick went to first with the throw.

Javier Baez got the last out, throwing to Nico Hoerner to get Guillermo Heredia at second to end the game. Ryan experienced a hiccup (I hope) and will be back to normal. Still, Craig Kimbrel, Dillon Maples, Brad Wieck (IL) and others need to get going.

One thing my staff members talked about was bringing up Adbert Alzolay, Brailyn Marquez and Burl Carraway. First off, it’s more exciting seeing these guys pitch. Second? What if they stick? Carraway is the obvious choice. But Alzolay and Marquez still are top prospects. All three could hang on and do some damage–in a good way.

Still, Chatty was excellent in his last start. He’s got 12 2/3 innings and 19 strikeouts. And the ERA is 0.71 thanks to the shutout of the Pirates. Would they re-sign him? He may have 12 or 13 starts to prove it. Here’s to hoping.