BAD TIMING: Chicago Cubs lose their 5th straight game

BAD TIMING: Chicago Cubs lose their 5th straight game

Five losses in a row. We break it down next. Go Cubs. You are Locked on Cubs. Your daily Chicago Cubs podcast. Part of the Locked On podcast network. Your team every day. You are Locked On Cubs, part of the Locked On Network. Your team every day. I’m Matt Cozy. I’m a lifelong fan taking my passion into a discussion with you on all things Cubs. Today’s episode is brought to you by our great partners at Game Time. Download the Game Time app. Create an account. Use code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. Chris Jacobs is in for Sam who will be back with me after Cubs Mets uh Wednesday night. Chris gave us the shout out this past summer during the seventh inning stretch. longtime TV personality, producer, and the Cubs, they could produce a win pretty soon, man. Leading 6-1 going to the fifth. The Cubs lost 97 to the Mets on Tuesday. The Cubs for now are in the first spot in the NL Wildard by either a game and a half or two games as the Padres’s are currently playing as we record. Kate Horton left the game after three innings due to back tightness. We’ll give uh updates on that our concern meter later. But Chris, the Cubs have now lost five in a row since clinching a playoff spot. Yeah, longest longest losing game of the season now at uh five games. Uh I mean, what a disheartening loss. And and this game had a little bit of everything. a crazy start. Second pitch of the game, home run. And then Horton looks like he’s settling down and he’s cruising. And then he’s got to leave the game for mysterious circumstances. And then we find out a little bit later, a couple innings later, it’s back tightness. So hopefully that’s not serious. But man, this team, it’s not boring. Being a fan of this team is anything but boring. And then, you know, the Cubs come back, they’re up 6-1, and then uh all of a sudden it’s a home run derby for the the uh the Mets and it’s like next thing you know, the game’s over. It was crazy. Like and and you had that feeling that they weren’t going to get it done when uh when Kitridge was wasted. I think in the seventh inning, you really felt like the Cubs were not going to get this one done. All right. Well, I want to follow up on that uh in a minute or two. Yeah, it was it was a back and forth when it didn’t have to be just because okay, you have the fiveun lead going into the fifth. And again, it’s it’s unfortunate that Horton had to leave the game and later we learn it’s a precaution, but you know, we’ll we’ll wait to get the official word probably more as the clubhouse opens uh on Wednesday. But following him, Michael Sarroa comes in. Taylor Rogers comes in. They give up the lead. Rogers entered the game in the fifth. Chris, he immediately allowed a three-run homer to nibble over. Yeah. Yeah. It was crazy. And another crazy aspect is that his twin brother pitching from the right side comes in for the Mets and and does pretty well. Um. Right. So, we that we had the Ron Rogers going for us tonight. But, uh, sorry, dude. Is that Is that way too loud? My daughter is banging on. That’s right. We We You know, we don’t have to be uh you know, authenticity over politics. Scarlet, can you please stop? Scarlet, seriously, please stop. She’s a Cubs fan and she’s beating the drum for the uh Yeah, she wants them to win in the playoffs. Exactly. We all do. Um Hey, Scarlet, come here and sit next to me. All right. And just don’t make any noise. All right. It’s been a crazy night listening to the uh the game and and again I mean I I I’ll give you a little followup on why I had the feeling like the Cubs were not just not going to get it done tonight because even when they were down 76 they tied it at 7-7. Yeah. Yep. They tied it on a great piece of of offensive hitting. We had three guys in a row uh reach base. And by the way, how great is Nico? I mean, no matter what happens this season, he deserves to be in the at least the conversation for maybe MVP because for for a guy who doesn’t have any power to hit that well, there’s only eight guys in the league who are hitting better than 300 and Nico is one of them. It’s just so so impressive. And uh so I want to give a special shout out to Nicoer and how well he’s doing this year. But yeah, that that inning that the Cubs had was just it was fantastic. It looked like, okay, we got the mo and now we might actually win the game. But then Nets come right back. They hit that home run, two-run shot, and you could just hear I was listening in the game as I always do, and the energy just went out of the stadium. It was just I think everybody agreed that the Cubs were letting this one slip away. Yeah, this is big news I feel in terms of energy, the the the actual baseball part of it or otherwise because you entered the last six games of the regular season. And by virtue of getting swept to the Reds, you’re not you don’t have the cushion anymore. You don’t have the elbow room with the Padres’s. And meanwhile, the Brewers are apparently mailing it in. They pitched a no-name guy Tuesday night against the Padres’s, giving the Cubs basically no help. Um, so we’re back to scoreboard watching. You know, it seems the Brewers got it wrapped up and so they’re going to take the rest of the season off. Yeah, it’s so Yeah, it’s very disheartening and uh it’s it’s just it’s it’s scary because we’ve seen this happen so many times. We’ve seen this happen the last two seasons. they collapse at the end of the year and I just Yes, they’re in, but we don’t want to be in. We want that top wild card spot so we can have those three games at Wrigley. I’m much more confident playing in Wrigley than I am uh down in San Diego, obviously. So, and meanwhile, the Padres’s are playing like the best team in the league right now. They’re they’re as of this recording, they are up 6 nothing on the Brewers. So, it looks like they’re they’re gonna let another opportunity slip away. Yeah, and you’re you’re right about, you know, a parallel, I think, at least to 2023. Yeah, they celebrated last week, they clinched the spot. Uh but but to reverse course and actually have to fly out to San Diego on Monday would be would be a major a major letdown and I would have basically virtually no confidence. uh you know especially if there is something wrong with with Horton first but uh I mean that that’s that would be the absolute worst news and that would a little bit counteract what looked like good news that we got from the from Rickety the field today that Tucker for the second day in a row is running bases uh hopefully with no pain and I I’ll take a hobbled Kyle Tucker in the wildard round then no Kyle Tucker you know I don’t think as as I think Sam said in the last couple shows you guys did. They don’t have much of a chance without Tucker. They need Tucker in that lineup. Yeah, I think they could beat the Padres’s maybe maybe at the division series, but it just it’s hard to see. Yeah. Without Tucker. Not I I don’t see him taking two out of three in in San Diego. Before we get more into Tucker, Chris, you know, to even up the series Wednesday, it’s Boyd and Tong. Jonah Tong for the Mets rookie pitcher. 594 RA first four starts in the bigs. Cubs should be able to get a jump on him. Uh meanwhile, Boyd after all the chatter in the off season about reliability, his injury history, he’s approaching a careerhigh for innings pitched, having a great year, but in his last six starts, he has an RA of 654. And what are you looking for for him on on Wednesday? Well, I mean, you just nailed the big two. uh um concerns that I have uh with Matthew Boyd. One that his inning to total is is getting out of control and I think that the fatigue is beginning to show and his erra is skyrocketing and it’s just it’s not good. I don’t have a lot of confidence in him going into tomorrow’s game unfortunately. And uh you know right behind him is Ianaga and he’s been having some bad games lately too. So I’m just I’m I’m not I’m not a confident Cubs fan right now. I’m really I’m really not. And uh All right, let’s see if Chris could uh keep the drums going here as uh we we talk about Kyle Tucker right after this. [Music] Today’s episode is brought to you by Rouette. Guys, you’ve probably heard of Viagra or Seialis, but maybe you’ve even tried them. But if you’re looking for something beyond the usual pill, it’s time to meet Rouette Golong. That’s exactly where Rouette Golong comes in. This isn’t just another ED pill. It’s a total gamecher for confidence. Golong combines two doctor trusted medications and one dualaction formula so you can get hard and go the distance. The effects can last up to 36 hours. That’s confidence all day, all night, and even into the next day. The process is simple. Connect with a board certified doctor 100% online. And if prescribed, your treatment ships discreetly right next to your door. If prescribed, your treatment ships discreetly right to your door. Ready to level up your confidence in the bedroom? Head to rouette.com. r u gie t.com and use promo code lockdown MLB for 15% off your first order. That’s rougeette.com. Promo code lockdown MLB. Make sure to use our code so that they know we sent you for Rouette. This episode is brought to you by Game Time. There’s nothing like catching a baseball game live. The energy, the crowd, the chance to see your team in person, but actually getting tickets, that’s the tough part. Cues, login screen, surprise fees, it takes all the fun out of it. That’s why I use Game Time, the app that gives the advantage back to fans. Game time is fast, easy, and backing by the Game Time guarantee. You always get 100% authentic tickets delivered on time and at the best price. Plus, all fees are included. So, the price you see is the price you pay. I’ve used Game Time for every Cub game that I’ve been to. Uh, it’s the best. You You get tickets right away. You could literally wait up to first pitch. The prices go down. Fees are included. Know your total upfront with no surprise fees at checkout. So, download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code lock.mlb for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, that’s promo code L O C K E D O M LB for $20 off. Swipe, tap, ticket, go download game time today. Shout out to the Everydayers, and you can become a Locked On Cubs Everydayer by joining us for every episode throughout the week. Kyle Tucker returned to the team on Tuesday following a nearly week-long stid in Tampa to help with his treatment on his calf following a strain suffered way back now on September 2nd. Tucker also ran Monday in Tampa before returning to Chicago and he did some light running on the bases before Tuesday’s game at Wrigley. Jed Hoyer was on 670 the score on Tuesday and said Tucker is quote moving in the right direction. And then Boog Shambi I think leaked on the broadcast what the plan is. Uh Boog hinting that Tucker will return as the DH this week. If he can play right field by the end of the week, great. Otherwise, he’ll be the DH. Sea will be in right. Uh and JD added basically the same thing as well. So, Chris, it does feel I I feel more optimistic today. What about you? I I feel optimistic. Uh I think that he will probably play against the Cardinals. I don’t see him playing against the Mets. I think they’ll probably bring him back just to get him a little bit game ready before uh the playoffs start. Um, but it’s just it’s it’s so it’s so disappointing, I think, for his season to end this way, for a relatively innocuous injury like a calf strain, uh, to be out for this long with a calf strain and then and then there’s like a mystery as to whether or not the the issue has been solved and he’s trying to like, you know, go with a a a lingering uh injury and it’s his walk year. I mean, there’s so many facets to this situation, and you and uh Sam made some great points about it on the show yesterday, how he’s already cost himself millions and millions of dollars, and who knows what’s going to happen beyond this this season. I mean, I I would love it if he came back and gave us a Kirk Gibson in the World Series type of performance and hit some unbelievable clutch uh home runs or or or hits, but I we just don’t know. I mean, it is it’s been so maddening to be a fan of this team for the past well, since the All-Star break, really. We were I mean, we were so optimistic at the All-Star break and now it’s just it’s like going toe-to-toe with Ali. It’s just, you know, you’re you’re trying to stand up and just make it to the bell and just make it to the wild card round with that top spot because if we do, we’re all going to breathe a big sigh of relief and then okay, bring on the Padres’s who are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now. Yeah, since the opening two games after the break against the Red Sox, uh the Cubs are now un they won both of those. The Cubs are now under 500. uh 29 and 30 for uh over two months now. Um I I we’re praying we’re praying for 90 wins. We’re praying for 90 wins now. We’re we’ve been stuck on 88 since they since they celebrated uh clinching the playoffs. Yeah, you’d have to win two out of the next five to get to 90. Uh if you do that, you you probably, you know, do hold on to the to the home field advantage. But uh it’s it’s getting it’s getting bleeer, I think, by by the game. And uh that’s what happens when you lose five in a row. Yeah. Oh, well, timing, you know, the timing doesn’t matter. What matters is next Tuesday. No, not if the game’s in San Diego down for over two months. Yeah. And and meanwhile, the Brewers are just folding up the tent and uh just going to rest on their laurels having the top spot wrapped up. Although the Phillies could go on a heater and take that top spot away from them. Certainly don’t want to do that. Yeah. So, I mean, they do have something to play for in that regard, but they’re certainly not showing very much uh resistance to the Padres’s right now. They they had a chance to win the game last night in extras. They couldn’t get it done and they let the Pirate the Padres’s uh grab one last night which clinched their playoff birth. So, they’re they’re on that, you know, playoff high and they’re doing a great job against the Brewers tonight. Yeah. I wonder what the Brewers plan is for for the week. Maybe maybe this this game this Tuesday game was just a a oneoff or something before the weekend, but um you know, you’re going to you have a Mets team right now that’s that’s they’re fighting for their playoff lives. They’re going to give you your best shot. Uh the the Cardinals are going to try to do some kind of spoilering. I just made up that word if if they can this weekend. Um, but but Chris, the the the part about Tucker that I talked about in our last episode, and now I have the stats to back it up is, okay, he jams his finger on June 1st. He plays the whole month, right? And and his and his swing suffers because he’s compensating for his jam finger and he goes in a total slump. And then he does there’s that week against the Brewers where the Cubs won three out of five. Tucker didn’t play and then since the start of the Angels series until he till September 2nd he played 11 games. Listen to these numbers. This what this is what makes me sad. But I do have maybe a bit of optimism about his his absence in a minute. But in 11 games he slashed 400 489 800 with four homers and four doubles. He was back. The question was answered and then he’s sat now for three weeks. Yeah. And then I mean do we do we have do we know can we pinpoint the moment where he injured his calf with did he overextend running into first base? Is that what it was? I’m not sure I recall that. I don’t really recall a particular play. I mean we know that sliding into second was when he jammed his finger. Uh but I don’t remember there was a particular play either in the outfield or running the bases where he strained his calf. It just was like, “Okay, Tucker’s out now.” And it it was very strange. And now it’s been three weeks. What was it? September 2nd, he went on three weeks today. Yeah. So, it’s it’s it’s just another kind of wrinkle in this crazy crazy Cubs season. And it it’s it’s like I said earlier, it’s been maddening being a fan of this team this season because we we had such a hot first half and it’s been such a bumpy second half and we’ve been hanging on and hanging on. We finally got to the point where we realized the division was out of control. You know, they were never going to catch the Brewers, okay? But now our new goal is to get that top wild card spot and now we’re fumbling that. And it’s just like, come on, guys. You were up 61 in the fifth inning. You’ve got to win that game. You have to close that out. If you’re going to do anything in the playoffs, these are the types of games you cannot lose. You cannot lose tonight. And they did on a on a two-run homer to the number nine hitter. And Pat said on the broadcast, who would have expected that? Oh, he said he said that was his line. That’s a good line. That was the line. Yeah. Who would have expected the number nine hitter to get that? And then, you know, they they face the top of the lineup and it’s a fly ball and they get out of the inning. And so, and there was a questionable call that would have made it 2-2 instead of 3-1. So, then uh I think it was Theelbar who gave up that two-run homer. Yes, he did. Yeah. So, Theelbar, you know, it’s a much different situation when it’s 2-2 versus 3-1 and he’s got to throw a strike and it ends up in the bleachers. Uh bad loss for sure. The one possible positive on Tucker returning basically cold is last year with the Astros from another mysterious injury with his shin. Yeah. That was originally called a contusion that it was revealed later was more. Uh he came back and just rad. No rehab games. He just returned, showed up, and and he basically woke up and hit the former Joe Madden quote, I believe. Yeah. Um, so if he does say, in your example, Chris, just play Friday, Saturday, Sunday, I think that would be plenty of warm-up and shoot, I think he could show up next week and do the the Kurt Gibson stuff or more and and have an impact. So, at least we know maybe he doesn’t need a long ramp up. Yeah. But after think after that little mental vacation they gave him, would he sit for two games, three games, something like that? Exactly. He came back and he was great. He he he just reset. So, I mean, three weeks is a long reset. You know, you kind of get out of your baseball rhythm, although he’s trying to stay in it. Um hopefully this long of a break won’t affect him and he can come back and perform because I mean as Sam and you said on the last couple shows, we got to have Kyle Tucker in this lineup in order to make it past the Padres’s. And I would make a case that they also need Daniel Palencia. We get to him. The ABS challenge system is coming to baseball and uh more next. Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NFL season is here and FanDuel is making sure you’re ready for kickoff with a can’tmiss offer. Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and if your bet wins, you get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. FanDuel fits however you like to bet. Player props, building the same game parlay, or even jumping in live as the action unfolds. The Bears right now are a point and a half underdogs at the Las Vegas Raiders this weekend. 3:25 Central Standard Time kick. Bears underdogs going into this one after a big win over the Cowboys. Over under points, 47 and a half. Some good local flavor right there. And if you get the FanDuel app, it’s quick, easy, and the best way to add a little more energy to your Sunday. So, are you ready to play? Download the FanDuel app now by visiting fanduel.com to get started. That’s fanduel.com to place your first $5 bet. Make sure you’re subscribed to Locked On Cubs. That way you don’t miss any of the great Cubs content we’ve got for you. That includes the Cubs post with Joe George live after the final out of every game. And I saw Joe titled his postcast tonight bullpen meltdown. Meltdown at all caps. And uh that sounds that sounds about right. One way to improve the bullpen right now would be uh the insertion of Daniel Palencia who is eligible to be activated from the IIL on Wednesday. If he is healthy, Chris, then should Palencia resume the closer position? Well, he sounds healthy. He had a great outing in Iowa, I think, uh a couple days ago. His velocity was up. He’s throwing a hundred. So, I think he absolutely should be slided right back into that closer spot. I mean, where else is he get he’s not going to come in in the seventh or eighth and and throw heat like that, you know? I mean, I think he’s very appropriate. I think Keller has been just absolutely rock solid in the either seventh or eighth because Kitridge is like he’s the best pickup late season pickup of the year. I mean, he’s just a smooth criminal. Yeah, he’s been fantastic and was again tonight. One, two, three inning. just happened to be in the seventh instead of the eighth or ninth. So yeah, I think I think you either he’s got to either go eighth or ninth and Keller’s got the eighth spot wrapped up. So I think it’s it’s Kitridge, Keller, Palencia, uh but Palencia has got to come in in the ninth and perform. Yeah, I’m excited to see it. you know, anytime you have you can return a guy that’s uh putting up triple digits. And I I know that there was some some rockiness there prior to the last couple of weeks of him being out, but you again, you you put him, let’s even say you do put him in the eighth. Well, if you slot everybody back, then Kitrich is in the seventh and Theelbar is in the sixth and Pomerance is further back. And so, um, and then Keller goes in the ninth in that series. Keller goes in the ninth. Yeah, I I think Keller needs to go whatever pocket means the most like in the last nine outs. Um, you talked about her for team MVP earlier. I would make the case for Keller’s team MVP. Sure. Yeah. Well, you guys, but it would just be I I think if if you have dreams, Chris, if you have dreams, Tucker and Palencia need to be on the team. Absolutely. Absolutely. 100%. It has to be. I mean, why wouldn’t you, you know? I mean, they the Tucker had his season. You you just read off his stats since uh coming back, which are, you know, MVP numbers if you could go an entire season with that. And if if uh if Palencia is throwing a hundred, of course you want them on the team, you know. I mean, the bullpens win championships. That is the one thing that wins championships. The team with the strongest pitching, relief pitching always comes out on top. It’s there’s nothing else. And then, of course, timely hitting. And hopefully we’ll get some of that in the wild card uh round against the Padres’s hopefully, which will be at Wrigley Field. But, uh, yeah, it’s it hopefully everything’s going to going to all come back around. Tyion has looked great. Um, and by the way, if Horton can’t go next week, who’s your third guy in there? It’s Tyion, right? For sure. Who else is gonna That sounds right. Um, Colin Ray was outstanding his last Colin Ray had a great He’s had a great season overall. Yeah, for him to slot in for for Justin Steel, he’s been absolutely rock solid. All right, last note here. Major League Baseball announced that the automatic balls and strikes challenge system will be in place. The ABS system in 2026. Each team will get two challenges and they could keep them if they’re successful. Challenges can only be initiated by a pitcher, catcher, or batter, and the request must uh be basically a second or two right after the pitch. To do that, one of those three people will need to tap his hat or helmet to let the umpire know. Uh there’s no help from the dugout, no help from other players on the field. And uh in each extra inning, if it gets that far, a team will be awarded a challenge if it doesn’t have any remaining uh entering that extra frame. Chris, I I think after, you know, replays, you know, extended replay system, uh after the pitch clock, I really don’t have any reason to be skeptical for ABS. Not at all. I think the pitch clock was one of the greatest uh innovations in MLB. I mean, look at the time it’s taken off the games. It’s that no one wants to watch a game for three hours and 45 minutes. We want to watch a game for two hours and 45 minutes. And that’s exactly what the pitch clock has allowed baseball to do. Now, I I I watched a video on the ABS before coming on the show. I did a little research in spring training when it was used 2.6% 6% of pitches were challenged. Of those 2.6%, 52% of challenges were correct. So, just a little over half. So, really not, you know, that big of a difference. And that’s probably why baseball is saying, “Hey, you only get two. You’re not challenging every single pitch. You got to be able to use it wisely.” What I’m hoping this is going to lead to is just like tennis, which only uses Hawkeye now, I would love to get to a point where balls and strikes are called by Hawkeye on every pitch and the behind the plate umpire is just there to call safe. Why not? How many times have we seen something bad happen to the Cubs because of a missed ball or strike call? So many times. And it’s so frustrating because they would have been out of the inning, but they were allowed another pitch and something bad happens, you know, a home run or whatever. So, I am a huge proponent of Hawkeye calling balls and strikes. I’m sorry, umpires. I love you. I know the human element is part of the game, but wouldn’t it be better to get the calls right and not have that human element? And then and then there’s a very clear there’s a clear call and catchers are getting so good at framing strikes these days. It fools the umpire. It’s crazy. Absolutely. Yeah. The pitches are coming in so so fast the umpire looks down and he doesn’t see the frame and and he he calls it a strike or just plain old misses the call. Well, and to that point, I always appreciate as a former coach as well when it’s framed wrong. Yeah. That it’s occasionally called the ball because then you’re not rewarding a bad catch. But with the challenge system, tap the head, even if it’s a poor catch, strike. Yeah. So, I’d have to wrap my head around that one. But, uh, listen, if they’re going to use it on a challenge, it’s better to be right than wrong. Yeah. That means they’re trusting the electronics to make the right call, right? So, why not do it on every pitch? Yeah. So, you’re saying all the pitches all the time? Every pitch every time. And then the the behind the plate up there is for is there for fall balls on the basis, uh, catcher interference and and calls and calls it the plate. you know, things where you need a human there to to do it because I’ve just seen way too much bad umpiring. Uh, and and I don’t want to disparrage the umpires because they’re just they’re doing the best job they can. They’re nonbiased, but we both know that there’s certain guys there who just get a lot of calls wrong and and there’s no repercussions. None that I can see anyway. It’s just like, oh, he he called that a strike and our guy’s out or they called that a ball and the guy gets another pitch. There’s no repercussions. The game goes on. Chris, thank you so much for subbing for Sam. It is my pleasure, man. I I love you guys so much. I’m a daily listener and so whenever you give the shout outs to the daily listeners, I know you’re talking right to me. So, it’s a pleasure to be here and I I appreciate you having me on. This is Lockdown Cubs, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. Your to every day. For your second listen, check out Lockdown MLB Game Night. Every game, every night, all season long. Get local analysis on a national scale. Find MLB Game Night on the Locked On MLB channel on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcast. He’s Chris Jacobs. I’m Matt Cozy. I think you’re going to hear Chris’s voice again in a second. This is Locked on Cubs. Shout out to Matt Cozy and Sam Olber, host of my favorite podcast, Locked On Cubs.

The Cubs lost their 5th game in a row on Tuesday, blowing a 6-1 lead. We give a full breakdown of the game, Cade Horton exiting early with back tightness, and more. Plus: Kyle Tucker might return after all and the ABS challenge system will be added in 2026.

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-cubs/

Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/mlb/

#Cubs #ChicagoCubs