Jose Quintana throws a jewel in the white game

MIAMI – José Quintana is starting to look like the star thrower of the Cubs in the running for 2017. He is perhaps the best of his talent since joining the club.
Quintana built his solid start with seven wins and more in the Cubs' 4-0 win over the Marlins on

MIAMI – José Quintana begins to look like the star thrower of the Cubs in the running in 2017. He launches perhaps the best of what he has since his arrival at the club.

Quintana built his solid start with more than seven innings in the Marlins' 4-0 win over the Marlins on Tuesday night at Marlins Park.

"Q was again at the top of his game," said Joe Maddon, coach of the Cubs. "He was good at everything, he was good at throwing, the ball was as good as we had seen it, and now the change is a force." He throws with all that he has, with a lot of confidence, and there is no reason why he can not continue this. "

The 30-year-old left-hander made six hits with seven strikeouts and no walks on the field before leaving the match after a claw hitter Rosell HerreraFirst single in eighth. Not before Austin DeanQuintana allowed a runner to reach second base thanks to his double on seventh goal.

Quintana, who has beaten 11 times more than seven scoreless innings in his last win against the Pirates, has rebounded well since his first start to the season on April 5 in Milwaukee. During this outing, he gave eight points in three times.

So what's different from this beginning against the Brewers?

After using more of his change on his last start (13 times), Quintana increased his use Tuesday with 23 of his 91 shots. He has also gone to his lead more than in previous years. Between these two offerings, Quintana recorded eight strikes called and seven swings.

These increases, in turn, make his ball fast and his ball curve even more dangerous. On Tuesday, Quintana's 33.8 percent crew exit rate was among the top 9 percent of the top players. Add to that the fact that he has only one step to go in the 18 strikeouts over his last 14 or more runs, and that he is well placed.

"Hit the lines, both sides of the plate, with the fast ball moving really well," said Quintana, who attributed the success of the strikes to the first pitch. "Most of the time, stay on the ground." I try to keep attacking and using all my stuff. When going out to Milwaukee, make changes, go out and run, and that's it. what I feel after that. "

Quintana also did not allow much hard contact, but his defense supported him when he did. Albert Almora Jr., who celebrated her 25th birthday with her family in the stands, took a dive on a liner to Starlin Castro in the sixth with a runner at the start and a on.

According to Statcast, there was a 35% capture probability, which is a four-star catch. Almora had to cover 32 feet in 2.8 seconds.

Thursday, at the end of the day, the Cubs rotate four players. Jon Lester is back from a leg stretched to the left hamstring. On their last lap, the starters from Chicago – Kyle Hendricks, Cole Hamels, Yu Darvish and Quintana – published an ERA of 1.75. Their continued success will be critical to the Cubs' chances in 2019.

"We are trying to keep winning matches," Quintana said. "We really have a good rotation and every game gives us a very good chance to win games."

Quintana did not want to know if that was what he had felt the best since arriving at the Cubs, but he acknowledged that he was pitching as he did during the times. more fruitful of his eight-year career.

"He always had the look," but for me the difference is the willingness and ability to use whatever he owns, "said Maddon." The curveball and the change. And now, the pursuit of the fastball is getting even faster. They were late to react to that, and he's looking up and down … He's in a good position right now. We just have to keep him there. "