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5 Chicago Cubs likely to throw the franchise's first perfect game
In 2012, MLB fans were treated to three instances of immaculate baseball: the perfect game. Philip Humber, Matt Cain, and Félix Hernández retired 27 consecutive batters to etch themselves into baseball history. King Félix's outing was the last of the trifecta (August) and there hasn't been a perfect game since. Throughout history, 23 perfect games have taken place. Not only has hitting efficiency increased, but pitchers also battle the opinions of umpires (ask Armando Galarraga) and are under a constant workload watch. Currently, there are 16 franchises that don't have a perfect game in their history books. Despite one of the most notable, colored histories, the Chicago Cubs are on that list.
At the close of the 20th Century, the Cubs saw Kerry Wood strike out 20 batters and allow only one hit, but still not perfect. In the infancy of 2016, Jake Arrieta tossed a no-hitter against the Reds. Finally, in 2021, a quartet of Cubs contributed to a combined no-hitter. Let's take a look at five potential Cubs who could propel Chicago into pitching perfection.
5 Chicago Cubs likely to throw the franchise's first perfect game - Justin Steele
Debuting in 2021, Steele has slowly begun taking form. Steele has a tendency to lose command with speed but is exceptionally accurate in the higher 80s to lower 90s. Initially, Steele was scouted as a possible bullpen arm, however, he has worked his way into Chicago's starting rotation. Is Steele the next Sandy Koufax? Probably not. Here is some food for thought; you don't have to be on your way to the Baseball Hall of Fame in order to throw a perfect game. There have been instances where average and even mediocre pitchers have broken through baseball history. Dallas Braden and Humber come to mind when substantiating this claim. Who knows, an idle start in July not on national television could muster up to a storied start for Steele.
5 Chicago Cubs likely to throw the franchise's first perfect game - Hayden Wesneski
Late last season, the New York Yankees shipped Hayden Wesneski to the Northside. Known for his sinker, the Texan has also increased his two-seam fastball. His four-seamer reaches up to 98 and misses plenty of bats. Wesneski's changeup needs some work. It falls flat and doesn't always find the strike zone. In his start against the Reds earlier this month, Wesneski rung up four batters but also gave up three runs in four innings of work. There is plenty of work that needs to be done for this young pitcher, but there is hope about the ceiling he has. Pitchers with command, speedy fastballs have tossed perfect games before (Randy Johnson and Koufax). With the improvement of pitch discipline, there is no reason Wesneski can't be a reliable, mid-rotation pitcher who can perhaps earn an all-star bid and be a household name on the Northside.
5 Chicago Cubs likely to throw the franchise's first perfect game - Drew Smyly
Drew Smyly may fit the bill better than any other pitcher provided on this list. The 33-year-old vagabond has bounced around throughout his major league career. The only notable accolade to his name is a World Series title with the Atlanta Braves two seasons ago. There have been plenty of random pitchers to break through and perform in an oddly, dominating fashion. Once again, refer to Humber, Braden, and even Len Barker. Humber was 29 when he took the mound at Safeco Field during a Saturday afternoon matchup with the Seattle Mariners. Braden pitched only four seasons at the major league level. Any field, at any start time. Taking the mound for the first pitch is the only prerequisite to a perfect game. Oh yeah, you also have to retire 27-straight batters. Smyly is at the point of his career where he is good enough to stay in the starting rotation but is likely to go the entirety of his career without making an all-star game. Doesn't matter, Braden and Humber didn't make the Midsummer Classic roster either. His arm strength has significantly decreased yet still maintains solid moving pitches in his repertoire.
5 Chicago Cubs likely to throw the franchise's first perfect game - Marcus Stroman
The flashy, well-paid righty is atop the Cubs' rotation. Marcus Stroman doesn't compile a lot of wins in the course of a season, however, he is eight strikeouts shy of eclipsing the 1,000 mark for his career. Injuries have halted his potential but every time Stroman has fallen, he has dusted himself off and taken the mound. According to Baseball Reference, Stroman is expected to earn just seven wins with an earned-run average of 3.43. In eight full seasons, he has averaged just over eight wins per 162 games. Stroman rarely throws a four-seam fastball, relying more heavily on a sinker and slider. The only all-star mentioned on this list, Stroman's career-high for strikeouts in a game is nine. As mentioned, there have been less notable pitchers to toss illustrious games. On the contrary, plenty of household names have reached such a feat. Kenny Rogers, David Wells, and David Cone are all mid-level pitchers who threw perfect games. Stroman is well past the climax of his career. Nonetheless, he has enough left in the tank to live up to his contract and perhaps be the 24th pitcher to accomplish a perfect game.
5 Chicago Cubs likely to throw the franchise's first perfect game - Jameson Taillon
Jameson Taillon joined the Cubs in December 2022 on a four-year deal. Dubbed the best high school pitching prospect since Josh Beckett, Taillon has shown shades of potential yet major surgeries have hindered his career. During his rookie season, Taillon carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before it was broken up by journeyman Curtis Granderson. Taillon's season was cut short in 2019 due to a forearm injury and eventually missed all of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign following an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) revision. Just last season, while wearing Yankees pinstripes, Taillon pitched seven perfect innings against the Los Angeles Angels before a Jared Walsh double in the eighth broke up his bid at perfection. Undoubtedly, Taillon has flirted with perfection. Perhaps Taillon will get the starting nod for a contest at PNC Park against his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. PNC Park is one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks. Wouldn't it be quite entertaining to see Taillon retire 27 batters down versus a team that sent him packing two seasons ago? One would like to think.