Arrieta and Alzolay, Righty Outfielders, Happ, Boog and other Cubs balls

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Lotttttta’s Possible Directions “WandaVision” could go now for its final two episodes. And so as not to get too far ahead of myself, but it’s also crazy to think about the things that this might set up in the MCU in general. (The show is on Disney + for those who like that sort of thing but haven’t yet.)

• The decision to risk losing Phillip Ervin via waivers when Jake Marisnick was officially added last night is interesting, as there was easily a version of the roster where both guys bench as 4th and 5th offscreen. The Cubs have three primary shooters who can hit extremely well against right-handed people and… not so much against left-handed people. Ervin would have been that guy. Marisnick, for his part, hits left-handed people much better than right-handed people, but he’s still below the overall average against left-handed people. Cameron Maybin’s signing likely had a big impact on the Cubs’ willingness to risk losing Ervin, as he’s probably a better bet to be a part of the squad than Ervin in the abstract, but he’s also not a guy who hits lefties very well.

• So without Ervin (or Michael Hermosillo, for example) on the bench, the Cubs won’t have offsets capable of really hitting lefties well. It seems like a weird, self-inflicted problem. Maybe the Cubs think they have to honor the offer to start Joc Pederson every day anyway, which takes away a spot… but they sure aren’t going to play Jason Heyward against all the hard left-handers, right? Haven’t we learned this lesson about maximizing its effectiveness? Also: It would definitely help all of this if Ian Happ takes another step forward against lefties. So far in his career, his work on the right side of the plate has been inconsistent, but he gains much less experience there. There is probably a lot of room for growth.

• Obviously, the Cubs’ hope is that Ervin will clear the waivers and be able to be fired at AAA Iowa, like Sergio Alcantara was yesterday. So at least they can keep it until it’s clear they need that bat against lefties.

• More information on Jake Arrieta’s expectations, but some good quotes:

• And Arrieta talks about his time spent with Adbert Alzolay, and being a veteran in general (NBC Sports Chicago): “He’s a guy who from the start I can tell he wants it. There is no doubt in my mind. He is concentrated, he asks a lot of questions and we can say that he likes the game…. You get to a point in your career where you’re supposed to not only perform on the pitch, but also off the pitch. And I am very proud of it. And if I can help him grow his career, even a little bit, it makes this whole organization even better. I set the tone in the room from the start: I want these guys to understand and know that they can come see me anytime. Whether it’s something personal or baseball related, I don’t care.

• Ian Happ likes:

• Boog just says no to pitchers who hit:

• Patrick Williams, 19, has been a lot of fun for the Bulls:

• In conclusion:



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