Best – Yu Darivish SP Chicago Cubs – 7IP 5H 1ER 1BB 4K 93PC 1W
Yu Darvish stifled the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night to give the Chicago Cubs their 6th win in a row and his second straight win on the mound. That 6th straight win is the longest streak in the MLB right now with the Minnesota Twins, who also won their 6th consecutive match yesterday.
Expectations for the Cubs were certainly lowered after missing the playoffs last year for the first time in 5 years. The organization also did not make any impact moves to help in some of their weaker areas like their bullpen or aging starting rotation. The Cubs also decided to end their relationship with longtime manager Joe Maddon and hired first time manager, former Cubs catcher David Ross.
Analysts had the Cubs all over the map, finishing as high as 1st in the NL Central and as low as 4th in the division. The Cubs have become the first team to win ten games in the National League this season. The only other team with ten wins, those pesky Twins in the American League. Darvish and the starting pitching staff is what has been leading this team to its dominant start. If Darvish and this starting staff can continue their stellar play, the loveable losers may become unthinkable winners this season.
Other Notables – Mike Trout (OF) Angels – 2-4 2R 2HR 4RBI; Adrian Houser (SP) Brewers – 7IP 5H 0ER 2BB 5K 87PC 1W; David Peralta (OF) Diamondbacks – 2-4 2R 1HR 4RBI; Dallas Kuechel (SP) White Sox – 7IP 5H 1ER 1BB 8K 1L; Matt Olson (1B) Athletics – 2-3 2R 3RBI 2HR.
Worst – Lance McCullers, Jr. SP Houston Astros – 3.2IP 7H 8ER 0BB 1K 1L
Not sure if it is karma or just the baseball gods righting the wrongs of the past, but 2020 has not been kind to the Astros. Justin Verlander, last season’s AL Cy Young award winner, is on the IL, and it sounds like his season might be done. The star closer, Roberto Osuna, is out for the year after opting to get Tommy John surgery. Outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is still recovering from what is believed to be COVID related symptoms. With all these players lost for the year or at least for now, the Astros cannot have the type of performance McCullers gave on Wednesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
What helped land McCullers on top of the worst list was that he was spotted a four-run lead to start this game. And he just imploded in the bottom of the fourth inning. After this start, McCullers’s season ERA is at 9.22, and this team needs their pitchers to step up right now. McCullers and the whole Astros squad better step up their game because the Athletics are on a five-game winning streak and might run away with the AL West.
Extra Trash: Trea Turner SS Nationals – 0-4; Nick Nelson RP Yankees – 1.2IP 7H 6ER 1BB 0K 1L; Colin Moran 1B/3B Pirates – 0-4 3K; Julio Teheran SP Angels – 2.2IP 2ER 2K 2BB 1L; Mallex Smith OF Mariners – 0-4, .074 BA for the season.