Cubby-Blue

Oct 22 was Kyle Hendricks' day in 2016.

Remember?
Kyle Hendricks vs Clayton Kershaw at Wrigley Field in game 6 of the 2016 NLCS.
Kershaw's ERA was 1.69 while Hendricks was at 2.13, and Kershaw's fastball about 5MPH faster than Kyle's.
But The Professor was in an incredible zone and went 7.1 innings and gave up 2 dinky singles and no runs, and my painting above shows him walking off the field in true aw shucks Hendricks Form with the timid wave.
When I look at the team in it's current state, my biggest hope would be that he heals from the shoulder thing and finds his old Professor ways. 
That guy... this last year had be just so incredibly difficult, and yet after every performance he stood in front of the camera and answered all the questions in the exact same manner he answered them in 2016.
Love that guy.

It's really weird but I think I've watched more playoff games this year than any I can remember, and it's all because some of my favorite players are now scattered around out there. 
I'm sure you saw Kyle Schwarber's deafening 488 footer off old buddy Yu Darvish. And since I can't look at the Padres without thinking of Steve Garvey and his smirky jerk face in 1984, I WANT THE PHILLIES TO WIN and old Schwarbs to be a giant hero.
They play game 3 tonight in Philly, tied at a game apiece.

While down in Houston, Captain Anthony Rizzo hit a 2-outed, full counted, choked-up dinger in game one, a classic shot.
But the Yankees are down 0 games to 2. 
I guess I'll just never get over hating the Astros and leave it at that. 
So MAY A MIRACLE happen in NY and the Yanks win the next 3 at home. 
And... one more thing about Rizzo. 
I could be wrong, but I swear his demeanor is waaaay more Yankee-ish now.
Like, you could just feel how much fun he was having when he was a Cub, and now it's just serious.
Almost grim.
Whatever, I hope he's a big part of a big comeback.

What else?
A miracle happened and both my kids came to visit from their different parts of the country.
We decided to take a beautiful drive to see all the fall colors and go pick apples at an orchard.
It looked like this:


Ahhh Chicago.
My kinda town. 

Cubs' Frank the Tank sent to Iowa

For me, one of the minor-bad things about times like these (rebuilding) is when the team's marketing plays up one of the temporary Cubs like Frank Schwindel, and then this happens.
Shipped off to Iowa.
I mean, I know Frank won't be on the next "contender" Cubs team, but for now, this summer of losing, I'm supposed to like him.
And I do!
He was an amazing bat story last year, and seriously... what a hilarious character.
Until this happens.
Frank's having a rough go of it at the same time the Cubs decided to pick up an underperforming Cleveland Guardian, Franmil Reyes. Franmil has had a big power bat, but this season he kind of lost it.
The Cubs think they might help him get it back.
Makes sense, but I'll miss The Tank and those facial expressions.

Speaking of marketing... Hey look! It's the Field of Dreams Game!
It's like National Oatmeal Day brought to you by Quaker.
This year, it features two teams sporting a combined 89-131 record, our Cubs vs the Reds.
I still can't believe the success of such a weird ploy - I haven't watched a single one yet.
But I will tonight.
All snide-ness aside, it's kinda wild watching some of these new faces in the bullpen.
There's Sean Newcomb with a 9.45 ERA, and Kevin Castro checking in at 19.64.. but there's also Erich Uelman at 3.52 and Anderson Espinoza at 2.84.
Espinoza is 24 years old - I bet he's in Rossy's circle of trust.
And starting tonight will be Drew Smiley vs the Reds' Nick Lodolo.
I wish it were Steele or Stroman or Thompson, but whatever.
I recommend some ribs on the grill and settle down at 6:15 pm and tune into FOX or even better... this kind of nostalgia-esque game seems like a perfect Pat Hughes vehicle. 
Get out your transistor.

You'll notice that I've hardly been posting this summer, and that's because I"ve been out of my mind painting, making prints, matting, and framing all kinds of art for the Bucktown Arts Fest. 
Sorry.
But if you're in town August 27th or 28th, stop by my tent and say hi.
I probably won't have that Frank the Tank painting up (it's kind of too big for my tent), but still there's a ton of Cubs art. 
And this is just a sneak peek into the future, but next summer there's a remote chance I'll try for a job at Wrigley.
Maybe one of those people helping you find your seat or something.
Haven't really thought it through, but if I do it, there's surely gonna be some fun stories.
HEY YOU KIDS! YOU CAN'T BE IN THE FRONT ROW LIKE THAT... LET ME SEE THOSE TICKETS!

Last thing.
I did get to go golfing for the first time in years.
Don't you hate when you swing too hard and there's that guy in your foursome WAY better than you who says, "Let the club do the work."

Weekend's overall score: Yankees 28 Cubs 5.

What was it like watching the Cubs get slaughtered by the Yankees this weekend?

Like this.
Right now, there are of course injuries especially to the starting staff. 
But in addition to that, the kids who've done well, didn't.
And that's either because they had bad games or the Yankees just figured them out.
Swarmer's first couple starts were AMAZING! How can a guy with that pedigree and only 2 pitches be wily enough to have 2 really good starts in a row to begin his career in the Bigs?
But I can't remember watching a guy get sliced apart in sort of slow motion over so many innings with all the solo homers... ever.
Oh.
That's because it tied a record from 1932 for giving up 6 solomers.
Even I'm not that old.
Why did Ross leave him in for soooo long?
Well, he shot most of his bullpen bullets in Friday's game, and Swarmer just had to... be a sacrifice.
I keep thinking that with those 2 pitches - a fastball and his slider that has versions... don't you think he'd have success in the bullpen?
But, you know, circumstances.
Sunday's game was.. ahhh never mind.
So Rizzo got to beat the Cubs brains out, and tonight if Yu Darvish does the same, well the Cubs haven't been this low in a looong time.
And if that isn't bad enough, there's gonna be a Sriracha shortage!

NOOOOOOOOOO!

About 15 of the next 77 or so hours will be Cubs vs Cards.

 

This schedule is nuts!
During the next 77-odd hours, 15 of them will feature the Cubs playing the Cardinals.
5 games (about 15 hours) in 4 days (96 hours minus today's 19 hours waiting til 7PM game time).
I always screw up math but whatever.
Also, 11 year old me can't help doing the Cardinals pooping on their logo.

How about Christopher Morel?
I don't believe this is like a Tuffy Rhodes thing, where Morel will start off on fire and flame out.
Rhodes hit those 3 homers on Opening Day in '96, and then... honestly I can't remember BUT... Morel feels real and a godsend.
That scene last night..
Bottom 10th with Jason Heyward at third, one out and Morel down 2 strikes... He looks over his shoulder at Willson Contreras who takes an exaggerated deep breath to remind Morel to just  b r e a t h e.
Which Morel does. 
Then he delivers with the fly ball to Christian Yelich, who's got something hitchy going on with his arm because it wasn't even close.
Heyward tags and scores, Cubs win 4-3.

AND NOW IT'S SO GREAT TO GO INTO THIS CARDINALS SERIES WITH A LITTLE MOMENTUM!

Tonight at 7:05 we'll get to see two crazy-talented kids - our Keegan Thompson and the Cards' Matthew Liberatore.
Tomorrow's Stroman and then we'll see Swarmer and Steele and somebody else by Sunday, and by then, I'm gonna be needing some caffeine.

Go Cubs.

Also I forgot the double header will be 7-inning games so they won't be the 3 hr 5 min MLB average so.. sue me.