Jordan Bastian

Reds 5, Cubs 1

The book ⤵️

Pete Crow-Armstrong has gone 1-for-14 with 10 strikeouts over his past 4 games, following a 16-game stretch in which the Cubs center fielder hit .311 with a 1.037 OPS.

Hoyer discusses Soroka injury, pitching plans going forward CHICAGO – Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was fully aware of Michael Soroka’s velocity issues over the past month. As he communicated with the Nationals and had his front-office team d...

"We did a lot of due diligence, a ton of research. And if it doesn’t work out, that’s on me.”

Cubs POBO Jed Hoyer discusses the right shoulder setback for trade acquisition Michael Soroka ⤵️

Shota Imanaga allowed an bunt single to TJ Friedl in the 4th inning, and then picked him off first base. That is the Cubs' MLB-leading 17th pickoff this season.

You're hearing @joshlanghoff.bsky.social on the keyboard this evening!

Michael Soroka officially to the 15-day IL with a right shoulder strain. Nate Pearson recalled from Iowa.

New Cubs super-sub Willi Castro’s last four starts:

Today: RF
Mon: CF
Sun: 3B
Sat: 2B

Per team historian Ed Hartig, Castro is the second player in franchise
history (since 1899) to play four different positions in their first four games with the team, joining Solly Hoffman in 1904.

Michael Soroka said he had an MRI exam before the trade to the Cubs, and there were no red flags in the results.

"There was no reason to to believe anything was was wrong," he said. "Unfortunately, that changed tonight."

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said postgame that righty Michael Soroka would be heading to the injured list, while the team gathers more info on the severity of his shoulder setback.

Reds 3, Cubs 2

The book ⤵️

It appeared Dansby Swanson beat out a 2-out grounder to third base to bring home the tying run from third, but replay review shows he missed touching the 1B bag to overturn the safe call and end the inning.

Cubs trail Reds 3-2 heading to the 8th.

Soroka's average FB velo was 90.8 mph today before exit. In a month span, he went from 94.9 in an outing on June 22 to 90.9 mph in a start on July 23. Averaged 94.4 in June overall and saw that dip to 92.1 in July.

He said Sunday he felt it was "something that we can move through pretty quickly."

Michael Soroka exited his Cubs debut after 2 IP and 31 pitches with "right shoulder discomfort," per the team.

I know it's @joshlanghoff.bsky.social on the keys when indie music is being played on Wrigley Field's organ. Enjoyed hearing "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service just now.

*5-3!

Pinch-hit, two-run homer by Justin Turner walks it off for Cubs. The book on the 4-3 win ⤵️

Pete Crow-Armstrong hit .311 with a 1.037 OPS in a 16-game stretch through Friday's series opener vs. Orioles. Last two days, however, have been rough: 0-for-9 with 7 strikeouts.

Dansby Swanson headed into this afternoon with a 39 wRC+ in the 2nd half and a 33 wRC+ this season with RISP. He was 3-for-25 (.120) in his last 7 games and was given a full day off Saturday.

After strikeouts in his first two ABs, Swanson delivers a 2-out, RBI single to put Cubs up 3-2 in the 6th.

Thanks, Christian. It’s my own custom book!

Cubs drop this one 4-3 to the O’s.

The book ⤵️

Cubs lefty Matt Boyd spun seven shutout innings (8 K and 0 BB) against the Orioles, lowering his season ERA to 1.75 this year at Wrigley Field.

That's fair -- maybe "awesome" was the wrong word choice. It's just really cool to see everyone wear 23, is all I meant. I was hoping they'd find a way to get it approved to wear the pullover retro blues from that era. I think those should be brought back as part of the rotation anyways.

On the day the Cubs are wearing No. 23, Nico Hoerner has knocked in one run with a double stuck into the ivy in left and another with a single to the right.

While the Cubs are wearing “23”, the jerseys are the blue tops (not throwbacks). Still an awesome tribute.

Cubs are wearing throwback unis with “23” on their backs to honor Ryne Sandberg.

“It’s perfect,” said manager Craig Counsell.

Nico Hoerner also went through his pregame ground-ball work wearing a pair of flip-up sunglasses, like Ryno used to wear.

Day off for Swanson. New utility man Willi Castro at second and Hoerner slides to shortstop. Counsell wants to get Castro involved regularly, while balancing matchups/rest throughout lineup.

Nice! Yeah, I like to use red for scoring plays. It helps when I’m writing postgame to quickly spot a play I’m referencing.

Cubs move:

Brooks Kriske DFA’d to clear roster spot for Michael Soroka.

I use a… red pen! It’s my actual book — not ipad (though I do know some writers who have gone digital). A backwards K is a strikeout looking.