Chicago Cubs (49-49) @ St. Louis Cardinals (54-45)
We have taken 4 of 6 from the Cubs so far this season. Chicago has been hurt by a poor bullpen (#13 in the N.L.) and a porous infield defense (23 errors between the starters at short and second). Starting pitching is keeping them in the race (starter’s 3.53 ERA ranks #4).
Cubs’ star Etrit Halil grew up in Fresno after his family emigrated from Turkey. He was drafted #1 overall in 2017 by the Giants but they could not sign him. The Cubbies took Halil #4 overall in 2018 and got him under contract for $5 million in bonus money. Halil is developing into a superstar in his second year as the Cubs’ everyday right fielder.
July 26, 2021: G100 (55-45, 1st, +5.5G)
Star: STL MR Pedro Solis 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
The winning run scored on an error by the Cubs second baseman.
July 27, 2021: G101 (55-46, 1st, +4.5G)
Star: CHI DH Daniel Vogelbach 3-5, HR, 2 RBI
Los Angeles SP Clayton Kershaw (13-3, 1.63) pitched a 2-hit shutout vs. San Diego, recording 15 Ks. Kershaw now has 212 K in 155 IP, and is well on his way to a third consecutive Cy Young Award.
July 28, 2021: G102 (56-46, 1st, +5.5G)
Star: STL C Jorge Alfaro 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
July 29, 2021: OFF
The trade deadline is just a few days away, so it’s time to make one last trip around the league. I need to improve our results against left-handers by adding another productive hitter from the right side of the plate. I hoped that Danny Espinosa would help, but he is 1-21 since coming over here. Dutch Deol has slumped into the .220’s, and You haven’t shown me anything yet. T-Mick has been a solid switch-hitter over his career, but his current .419 OPS vs. LH pitching is making him more of a platoon player. A quality RH bat that could start every day is probably out of the question for our budget and trade assets, but we could still use some help off the bench.
St. Louis-Atlanta Swap Second Basemen
The Cardinals acquire 25-year-old 2B Franklin Barreto for three players that do not figure in our future plans, including the seemingly untradeable Matt Snyder. Barreto, a right-handed slap hitter with good speed and defensive ability, is in the first year of a three-year contract worth $8.4 million ($2.8M/year).
This trade is perhaps another clue that the Redbirds do not intend to offer a contract to all-star 2B Kolten Wong, who could become a free agent at the end of the season. Barreto is an excellent defensive player that can play almost anywhere in the infield or outfield, and he is a great base runner with a history of stealing 30+ bases per season. Fan interest dropped slightly (to 98) due to the loss of well-known veteran 2B Danny Espinosa. The Cardinals will save $4 million in cash this year due to large salaries moved in the deal.