It’s another night here at BCB After Dark: the hippest hole-in-the-wall for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and sit with us for a while. We need a friend tonight. There’s no cover charge. The dress code is casual. We validate parking. The hostess can seat you now. Bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Last night, I asked you if one or both of the Cubs’ minor league affiliates should change their name from “Cubs.” You are generally in favor of the traditional name as 65 percent of you want to keep both teams at “Cubs.” Among those of you who want one or the other to change their name, you were split evenly at 16 percent each for Iowa and South Bend.
On Tuesday night, I don’t do movie stuff. But I always have time for jazz and that time is now.
Tonight we have some big band music featuring Chicago and Rockford’s own vocalist Kurt Elling with NYO Jazz in Beijing in 2o19. This is a song many of you are familiar with—it’s Joe Jackson’s “Steppin’ Out,” which has become a signature tune for Elling.
Welcome back to everyone who skips the music.
So I always try to be optimistic, but frankly, tonight’s loss took a beating out of me. But I’m going to ask you to try to cheer me up. Because being miserable and pessimistic doesn’t do anyone any good. Believe me, I know from experience that this is true.
I believe the Cubs have the offense to win the World Series this year. They definitely have the defense. The starting pitching is a little iffier, but Clay Holmes is becoming a true ace and I think that him, along with Gausman, Boyd and Peterson give the Cubs a good chance to win any postseason series. Maybe Imanaga even bounces back.
The bullpen? Yikes. After tonight, double-yikes.
So I’m asking you to tell me which Cubs reliever is most likely to step up and get big outs in the middle innings. I’m not worried about Jacob Webb. He’s the closer and despite a recent hiccup or two, I think he will do a fine job going forward.
I’m also leaving out Javier Assad, who will likely be back in the majors on Saturday. But the Cubs are going to need more relievers than just Webb and Assad.
No one seems to be able to get outs in the sixth or seventh inning lately. But someone is going to have to step up and get those big middle-inning outs. The odds are very much against all of them continuing to struggle. Most of them have experienced success before. So who is stepping up?
Is it Aaron Civale, who has had a 1.54 ERA over the past 15 games and a WHIP of 1.03?
What about Daniel Palencia, who had a terrible night tonight but was a terrific closer last year?
Ryan Rolison has struggled badly in his recent outings, but he was quite good earlier in the season. Can he bounce back?
What about Ryan Zeferjahn, whose stuff is filthy but something just isn’t clicking since he came over from the Angels at the Trade Deadline. Can he get back to what he was in Anaheim?
Finally, there are two more options. One is Edward Cabrera, who started his rehab assignment today. The other option is Shelby Miller, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery. His ERA of 5.87 in Iowa doesn’t look too good, but that he’s struck out 13 batters in just 7.2 innings does. Miller also has not allowed a run in four of his past five outings. Even in that fifth run, both runs charged to Miller scored after he left the game.
I’d give you more options, but the stupid polling software we have won’t allow it. But please give me some reason for hope. Also, for the same reason, I don’t want to hear “nobody.” That’s defeatist talk. It might make you feel smart, but it doesn’t do anyone any good.
Thank you for stopping by tonight. You cheered us up a little. Get home safely. Don’t forget any personal items. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.
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