Can we all agree we’ve seen enough of John Lackey in a Cubs uniform?
He grew on me last year. Heck, who am I kidding…after the Cubs won it all, I loved everybody. I wasn’t too fond of the initial acquisition. I figured, his real value would come in that postseason experience. We would need him, for a big start, and he would come through. He pitched three games in last year’s World Series run, and he didn’t last more than five innings in any of them. Oddly enough, we won two of those games.
The first start was Game 4 in the NLDS at San Francsico. Needing a win to avoid coming back to Wrigley to face Cueto, here it was; here was the moment we got him for. 4 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs. Of course, this was the tremendous comeback win. Ok, maybe next time Lackey will come through. Game 4 NLCS in LA. Down 2-1, you could say we really needed this win. Lackey did better; 2 runs again in only 4 innings. Was it Lackey struggling or Joe being playoff Joe? I remember being unimpressed by this postseason ace. Our offense exploded, and we were fine. Next time will be the epic one. World Series game 4 in Wrigley. Down 2-1, here it was. This is where our offseason acquisition will come through. Nope. He did last 5 innings this time, but gave up 3 runs and was tagged with the loss. The story has a happy ending of course, but no thanks to Lackey.
Yes, he actually pitched well that season. 11-8 with a 3.35 era and all the funny comments we could take. Or course, the hair cut one was the best. This year, so far, has been a train wreck for big John. He’s already lost as many games as last year, has a 4.74 era, and already has allowed 21 home runs; he allowed 23 all of last year. His comments aren’t as funny either. But yes, that is the way things go when you’re not winning.
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Maybe I’m being a bit unfair to him. After all, the whole team is average; 39-39 now through 78 games. Yes, I can add too. He’s 38 and in the last year of his contract with us; this will be the last year we will see him in a Cubs uniform. This was the last year for Miggy too, but we already saw his last game. Maybe Lackey can come out of the bullpen, but then who would be starting?
Ah yes, back to the biggest issue (the other being hitting with RISP), the starting pitching. It just ain’t what it used to be. Without it, no repeat. We need help. Yes, we need Lester, Arrieta, and Hendricks when it counts, but we don’t need Lackey; he proved that last year. And if he can’t get through the regular season, then we need him why?
Maybe it’s time for a DL stint. Maybe he should go to the minors with Kyle to get himself straightened out. Maybe he’ll flip flop and pitch great in this postseason, if we’re there of course. Maybe it’s time for him to go on and get that haircut… You got to know when to hold’em…
MK
Lackey will not be returning next year. At 38, maybe it is time for him to call it quits. He was good last year for the Cubs, especially in the regular season. He was not horrible in the postseason but not what the Cubs thought they would get from him when it mattered most. So far this year, he falls into the same bucket most Cubs players do…mediocre. He has given up a lot of home runs as well as holds an era about 1.5 runs higher than last year. Maybe he is running out of gas? Not real sure. Nice call on the dl stint, though. Maybe the Cubs should just rotate a dl stint and hope for better results after the time off. Not gonna happen but the all star break is right around the corner. Finish strong Cubbies!
GO CUBS GO!!!