Today’s Reflections
Not only was that the Clay Holmes Friday that I expected with the deadline trade, maybe he actually exceeded my expectations. Almost to the point of placing him in a spot of expecting too much from him in the future.
But it sounds like Holmes has a great handle on his personal evaluation: “I probably wasn’t as bad as my stat line last time, and I probably wasn’t as good as my one this time. It’s just one of those things where you have to keep finding ways to get better. In between starts, there were some simple things that we worked on (and) tried to nail.”
For the second straight game, the Cubs found themselves in a fierce pitching battle. It was a little surprising, given the pair that took the mound, Holmes and Matthew Liberatore. Nevertheless, both pitchers were perfect until Nico Hoerner singled in the bottom of the fifth, and Jose Fermin singled in the top of the sixth. Holmes kept chugging along, finishing with a scoreless 6.2 innings pitched, having allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three.
The wrap-up of Liberatore’s days wasn’t as clean. Tyrone Taylor led off with a single and a stolen base. Dansby Swanson followed with a single of his own, on the way to chasing Liberatore from the game. After Swanson stole second off reliever George Soriano, Seiya Suzuki crushed a 2-1 pitch into the left field bleachers for a 3-0 lead. Ryan Rolison got the last out in the seventh, then Ryan Jeferjahn and Jacob Webb each pitched a one-hit, scoreless inning, for Webb’s ninth save and Holmes’ first win as a Cub.
Suzuki later added a double, and a total of four other Cubs singled. But no hit was bigger than Suzuki’s three-run blast.
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Friday’s Game Stories:
- Matt Carlson (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs starter Clay Holmes shuts down Cardinals in 3-0 victory. “Cubs newcomer Clay Holmes and his sinker were back in form. And Seiya Suzuki hit his 21st homer, a three-run shot in the sixth inning, to break a scoreless tie and added a double in the eighth.”
- Andy Martinez (Chicago Tribune {$}): Arm and hammer: Clay Holmes’ stellar start in home debut and Seiya Suzuki’s 3-run HR fuel Chicago Cubs’ 3-0 win. “The loudest ovation from the 40,374 fans during Friday’s 3-0 win for the Cubs at Wrigley Field came when starter Clay Holmes walked off the mound with two outs in the seventh inning, ending a stellar home debut for the newest starter acquired at the trade deadline this month.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Holmes takes perfect game into sixth as Cubs get glimpse of new-look rotation. “Clay Holmes has pitched on some of baseball’s biggest stages. He has handled high-leverage outs in the World Series. He has made a pair of All-Star teams. The righty has donned the uniform of both New York ballclubs, experiencing the pressure and expectations for those big-market franchises.”
Assorted Stories:
- Jeremy Tecktiel (North Side Baseball): Sweeper Usage & A Revised Sinker Were The Keys To Clay Holmes’ Brilliance On Friday. “In his second start with his new team, Clay Holmes may have put together the best start of his career. Is this success sustainable?”
- Cole Bair (Bleacher Nation): 1-2 Punch, Holmes At Home, Extension Candidates, Conrad Crushing, And Other Cubs Bullets. “After a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers last night, the Brewers NL Central lead is back to just three games. I think the majority of us weren’t counting on a serious race for the division a month or more ago.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Why Cubs traded for Clay Holmes, plus updates on Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown ahead of stretch run. “The Cubs are grappling with an issue that would have seemed unthinkable while injuries kept piling up throughout this season: too many good pitchers and not enough open spots.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ Matt Shaw is still in the picture after trade deadline and nearing return. “Shaw might’ve been a valuable chip at the trade deadline despite being out with a sprained left wrist, but the Cubs elected to keep him.”
- Matt Carlson (Sun-Times): Matt Shaw expected to head out on rehab assignment this week
- Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs quietly offer Ben Brown update that could change postseason pitching plans. “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.”
- Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): Cubs Rotation Due for Shake-Up as Edward Cabrera Returns This Weekend. “The Chicago Cubs are welcoming back Edward Cabrera this weekend, and he will immediately return to a starting role.”
- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune {$}): Column: Arrival of dog days brings out the best in Chicago Cubs, who blank rivals amid the Wrigley Field buzz. “Well, actually the term (dog days) dates back several centuries and refers to the Dog Star that rises and sets with the sun at this time of the year, so it has nothing to do with players being dog-tired.”
- Scoop Jackson (Chicago Sun-Times): This year’s version of the Cubs is much more believable as a contender. “Nos. 1 through 9, no matter where Counsell puts them in lineup, these hitters can put up numbers.”
Food For Thought:
Lösekes Blues Gang is a veteran German rhythm and blues band founded on July 9, 1972, in Bad Salzdetfurth, near Hildesheim. Known for straightforward Chicago blues, rough-edged impulsive rhythms, and soulful solos, they are one of Germany’s most enduring and experienced blues groups. Despite several reshuffles and professional breaks, the gang remained a force to be reckoned with in the German blues scene. Until 2012, LBG recorded six albums, each one filled with ambitious original songs and boldly interpreted compositions by great colleagues such as Robbie Robertson, George Harrison, Sting and Randy Newman.
The sextet always knew how to blend the various influences, also from genres such as Cajun and rock. In particular, however, Löseke’s Blues Gang can be proud of having played with black originals like Memphis Slim, Champion Jack Dupree and Blind John Davis – a tribute to their talents of a special kind. The terrific atmosphere at Löseke’s rousing gigs is legendary. Whether open air at the Hildesheim Jazztime or in hot clubs like the Bischofsmühle – the fans go wild.
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