Chicago Cubs News: Theo Epstein notions at what they need

The Chicago Cubs’ Theo Epstein gives an inkling as to what they need. Still, they might be able to make that happen given the propensity for getting out a lefty–or keep them off the bases.

The Chicago Cubs’ Theo Epstein didn’t have to say those words–but he meant plenty of what he said before the Cubs game yesterday. He mentioned getting a bat to hit lefties, and an arm to get lefties out.

The team is hitting .216 as a team against lefties and 21st in baseball. And since the start of August? Yikes. They’ve posted a slash line of .180/.295/.273 with a 61 wRC+—worst in the National League, and ahead of the Cleveland Indians in baseball. Ah, remember 2016? Good times.

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Aside from the regulars, the righties just can’t hit lefties. Albert Almora, Josh Phegley and Steven Souza, who’s on the IL with a hamstring injury, can’t hit a southpaw. And the ‘regulars’ in Ian Happ and Victor Caratini leave doubts about handling left-handed pitching. Basically, it’s a mess.

On to the pitchers. Kyle Ryan. That’s it. That’s the only left-hander they have in the bullpen. Now, maybe with the three batter minimum, they feel it has altered their plans for a match-up lefty. But that’s not the way I think of it. They need to get going on it–right or left-handed. Justin Steele was an excellent option to have. But he hasn’t pitched yet, so there you go.

Whether right or left-handed, pitcher or batter, someone has to get outs or get on. It’s just the nature of the beast. The San Francisco Giants for one might be sellers at the trade deadline. But Tony Watson all they have with any experience–and they have looked at him more than once. And he’s on a cheap contract at one year at $3 million. Wonder if they’d go with him.