The Cubs reached the halfway point on Monday, and finished the first half of the season at 35-46; that lines up exactly with my prediction of 70 wins for this ball club. Based on who was on the mound on Monday, I think the Cubs can do better than that in the second half. They may have found something with one of their “let’s give a pitcher a 2nd chance and see how he does” acquisitions. Jake Arrieta has been nothing short of magnificent.
I thought we may be seeing history Monday night in Fenway. First of all, how cool was it to see the Cubs play in Fenway Park. Here’s the only ballpark in the majors older than Wrigley as Fenway turned 102 this year. Attending a game at Fenway Park is definitely on my bucket list. In its 102 year history, there have only been 4 opposing pitchers that have tossed a no-hitter, the last one coming 56 years ago. So when Arrieta took his no-hitter to the 8th inning last night, it was exciting stuff. I think my brother jinxed it.
I was the one who blew it last time. In his last outing, Jake was perfect through six innings at home against Cincy. I had to text my brother to ask him if he was watching, which he was. The perfect game was broken up by the very next batter that came to the plate for the Reds in the top of the 7th. So, as Jake took his no-hit bid through 7, I was about to text him… but I didn’t want to ruin it again. As I was debating it, my phone started going off, with my brother asking me the same question I asked him last game. Arrieta got two more outs before giving up a hit just 4 outs short of the no-hitter. Damn.
We should have been like Arrieta… just sitting in the dugout by himself, not talking to anyone… nobody talking to him. I love how pitchers and teams react as they get close to a no-hitter. Nobody wants to do anything to mess it up. I did my best last night. I kept the TV on the same volume. I started watching the game in the bedroom, so I stood there. I didn’t want to change anything. I love the superstitions that fans have surrounding their teams… I can definitely relate. Well, we came up just short for the no-hit bid, which was a little letdown. I was glad that we held on for the win, as I just knew we were going to blow it in the 9th.
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I knew because that’s what we do. It didn’t help that Cub killer and ex-sox catcher AJ Pierzynski led off the inning; man do I hate him. Sure enough, he singled to right. The next batter had a great at bat, and smashed a line drive… that Rizzo caught on one hop to start the double play. AJ being AJ adjusted his route to 2nd base to be right in the baseline, and threw his hand up in the air as he slid into 2nd… anything to be disruptive. I was glad when Michael Barrett slugged him… I had that picture as my screen saver for a good couple months. Rondon retired the next batter to preserve Arrieta’s win, and the Cubs went into the halfway point with a W.
Back to Arrieta for a second… his recent performance has been noteworthy. He has taken his last 2 games into the 7th inning or later without surrendering a hit. He has given up a total of 4 earned runs since the start of June. He has 48 Ks and 6 walks in that timeframe. Not a bad K/BB ratio. He has been phenomenal. The Cubs may have struck gold with this trade. He turned 28 this year, and if we don’t resign Samardzija, Jake may be the first pitcher we commit to long term. This prospect may be finally panning out. I think he’s a keeper.
A nice way to go into the halfway point. With my prediction of 70 wins right on par after the first half, I hope I’m wrong. I hope I’m right in my thinking that the Cubs will exceed that. It all depends on the moves we do or do not make. If we gut the team again, 70 wins would be great. If we keep the team together for the most part, and bring some of our prospects up, we’ll exceed that number. What does this all mean? Well, probably nothing this year… 8.5 games out of the wild card with every team except one ahead of us, it will just be positive to show progress. It will show me that we are almost ready… almost ready for great things, like this Monday night. It’s going to be fun.
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