Introducing the Superfan Mailbag

The Leadoff Man

Paul Skenes struck out the Cubs with pitches hotter than a Carolina Reaper!

The Cubs exited this game against the Pirates with a respectable 25-21 record, holding second place in the NL Central and trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by just 2.5 games. But all eyes were on the mound today as Kyle Hendricks faced off against Paul Skenes. Skenes, MLB's top pitching prospect, dazzled in his first road start at Wrigley Field, while the Cubs struggled to keep up. The final score? Cubs 3, Pirates 9. Let's break down the game's highlights and key moments. 

Cubs fans, it's time to introduce a new feature to our newsletter: the Superfan Mailbag! This is your chance to ask questions, share your thoughts, and engage with the Cubs community. Each week, we'll select a few questions to answer right here.

Cubs Outplayed as Skenes Shines

Cubs fall to the Pirates 9-3 as Paul Skenes makes a historic road debut.

The Cubs entered this matchup looking to gain ground in the NL Central but ran into a buzzsaw named Paul Skenes. The rookie phenom didn't just start strong; he made history. Skenes struck out the first seven batters he faced, setting a new franchise record. Over six no-hit innings, he racked up 11 strikeouts, allowing just one walk to Michael Busch. Cubs fans could only watch in awe as their team swung and missed six times in the first inning alone, all on four-seam fastballs blazing past at over 100 mph.

Skenes joined an elite group, becoming just the third pitcher in the pitch-tracking era to strike out the side with pitches clocking at least 100 mph. His performance overshadowed what was a rough day for Kyle Hendricks, who gave up eight runs, partly due to some bad batted ball luck and defensive mishaps. The Pirates capitalized with 15 batted balls boasting a .330 expected batting average or better, making it a challenging day for the Cubs' defense.

Taylor Doll said it best on Twitter.

Cubs Rally Late but Can't Overcome Early Deficit

Late offensive surge by the Cubs falls short in a 9-3 loss to the Pirates.

Despite a rough start against Paul Skenes and the Pirates, the Cubs showed some fight late in the game. The bottom of the eighth inning offered a glimpse of what this team is capable of, even on a tough day.

Miguel Amaya sparked the rally with a solo home run to left-center field, his second of the season, putting the Cubs on the board. Christopher Morel then doubled to center, driving in Mike Tauchman and Ian Happ, while Cody Bellinger advanced to third.

Although the rally came too late, it was a positive sign that the Cubs' offense can wake up under pressure.

Melinda from Davis, Illinois asks: "Do you have any opinions or thoughts on why they moved Ben Brown from starting pitcher to the bullpen? I noticed tonight that he hasn’t been starting like he was at the beginning of the season. I know it’s still early in the year, but I was wondering if you had any thoughts on why. I know some of our bullpen is out, but do you think this will be a permanent spot for him or just a filler?"

Ben Brown's Role: Starter or Reliever?

Great question, Melinda! Ben Brown’s transition from starter to reliever has raised a few eyebrows among Cubs fans. I’ll dive into why this change might be happening and what it means for his future.

Ben Brown is currently being used as both a starter and a reliever, shuttling between the rotation and bullpen based on the Cubs' needs. While he has shown potential as a starter, particularly with his impressive strikeout rates, several factors contribute to his undefined role:

1. Command Issues: Brown's primary challenge is his lack of fastball command. This leads to many pitches thrown out of the strike zone, making his fastball vulnerable to contact. His high walk rate(3.2% per 9 innings) further demonstrates this issue as the league average is 8.6%.

2. Pitch Mix: Currently, Brown relies heavily on his fastball and curveball. He has scrapped his slider, which could limit his effectiveness as a starter. Experts believe he needs to develop either a better changeup or reintroduce a distinct breaking ball to have a starter's pitch mix.

Given these factors, the Cubs are likely to use Brown as a reliever in the long run. Scouts project him as a "nasty setup man," highlighting his potential in a high-leverage bullpen role. His powerful fastball and curveball make him a dangerous pitcher in short stints, where his command issues are less detrimental. The Cubs may continue to experiment with him as a starter in the short term, but his long-term future likely lies in the bullpen.

In summary, while Ben Brown has the tools to be a starter, his current skill set and the Cubs' immediate needs point to a bullpen role.

Keep those questions coming, Cubs fans! Your passion and curiosity are what make this community great.