Boston Blues, Mets Showdown Ahead, and NL Central's Tense Race!

The Leadoff Man

I've always enjoyed Boston on my visits. It's a wonderful city, though the roads are a bit confusing, and Fenway Park is impressive—not quite Wrigley, but I'm a bit biased. This weekend was tough for the Cubs. Friday night brought a solid win, but Saturday's 17-0 defeat and Sunday night's 5-4 last-minute loss were a gut punch.

The injury bug brought good and bad news. Here’s the bad because bad news doesn’t get better over time. It started on Saturday when we heard that Jordan Wicks was pulled from Sunday night's game due to a forearm strain. Wicks landed on the IL by first pitch Sunday. Thankfully, Christopher Morel was okay after leaving early on Saturday after a collision with Alexander Canario.

Cubs are Shipping out of Boston! Thankfully

In a dramatic showdown at Fenway Park, Boston's starter Tanner Houck turned heads with a stellar performance, showcasing a deadly combination of sinkers and sliders. Pitching 6.2 innings, Houck limited the Cubs to just four hits and a single earned run while striking out nine.

The game took a thrilling turn in the eighth inning when Mike Tauchman blasted a three-run homer, leveling the score and setting the stage for a dramatic finish. However, the excitement was short-lived as the Cubs' bullpen faltered in the final frame. Mark Leiter Jr. walked Jarren Duran, setting a tense scene. Rafael Devers followed with a sharp single, pushing Duran to third. Tyler O’Neill then managed a bloop single to short left field. Despite a valiant effort, Dansby Swanson couldn't quite make the play, and Duran scored, and Boston Walked off with the Victory.

While we leave behind a tough weekend, there's a big reason to celebrate: one of Cubs Superfans' favorites, Anthony Rizzo, has hit his 300th career home run! Congratulations, Rizzo, on this monumental achievement!

Analyzing the Mets: A Pre-Series Breakdown

The Mets: Riding the Rollercoaster to .500 

As the Cubs prepare to take on the Mets in a four-game series at Citi Field, it’s crucial to understand the dynamics of the Mets team just hovering above .500. They have been inconsistent but show promise with recent signings and promotions.

Pitching Matchups this Week 

Monday Night (6:10 PM) all times Central

Luis Severino vs. Jameson Taillon—Severino’s sharp 2.67 ERA makes him a formidable opponent, but Taillon’s reliability offers the Cubs a solid chance to start strong.

Tuesday Night (6:10 PM)

Sean Manaea brings a 3.33 ERA against the Cubs. After a shaky stint with the Giants, Manaea's role in the Mets' rotation is pivotal, especially with ongoing injuries. His matchup with the Cubs’ lineup will be a crucial moment in the series. He will face Javier Assad.

Wednesday Night: (6:10 PM)

José Buttó’s youthful energy and a 2.86 ERA will challenge the Cubs, as he goes head-to-head with Shota Imanaga

Thursday Afternoon (12:10 PM)

Adrian Houser seeks redemption from his 8.37 ERA against Ben Brown, who will likely have a personal cheering squad in the stands. Brown is a native of Long Island and a homecoming.

Key Hitters and Their Challenges: 

The Mets’ offensive lineup is transforming, with J.D. Martinez aiming to revitalize the batting order. However, Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo are struggling, batting .198 and .213 respectively. Lindor candidly expressed, “I feel like we’re not close to where we want to be and where we should be. It’s going to continue to grow and get better,” highlighting the team's commitment to progress despite early-season hiccups. Starling Marte, on the other hand, shines with a .288 average and .828 OPS, presenting a consistent threat at the plate. Pete Alonso is still crushing baseballs and has been a little unlucky so far this season.

The State of the NL Central:

2024 MLB Season Marathon: Mile Marker 4 of 26.2 and we have a 3-way tug of war

With only 37 games of a 162-game season behind us, the Cubs' journey through the MLB season is akin to being at mile 4 of a marathon. There's a lot of road ahead, and anything can happen as we continue to pace through this long and challenging race.

Division Leaders and Challengers: 

Brew Crew Watch 17-10: The Milwaukee Brewers continue to hold the top spot, but their recent stumbles have seen their lead shrink. The Cubs are hot on their heels, making every game a critical opportunity to gain ground.

Cubs 17-11. See above!

Reds on the Rise 15-13: The Cincinnati Reds are the division’s dark horse, riding a recent surge to close the gap further. Their momentum could pose a significant challenge to the Cubs and Brewers alike.

The Pirates are “Who we thought they’d be” 14-15 On the Podcast in early April, I was asked if I thought the Pirates were legit after their strong start to 2024. That time has come, and I was right. They're hovering at .500 now, proving they're good, but likely not true contenders. However, their young arms could still make waves...and speaking of which, there's buzz about Paul Skenes in AAA, hinting at future challenges once he joins the big leagues.

Cardinals are at the Bottom! 13-15 Ha! That is all.

The Closer

In today's issue, we analyzed some key takeaways from the Cubs' recent performances:

• Fenway Series Recap: The Cubs' visit to Boston was a rollercoaster ride. A clutch home run tied the game, but bullpen struggles cost them the game. The series showed our team's offensive power but also highlighted bullpen inconsistency.

• Mets Series Preview: Now, with the Fenway series behind them, the Cubs face another tough challenge in the upcoming four-game series at Citi Field. We'll highlight important matchups and players to watch. The Mets are slightly above .500, making this a crucial series for the Cubs and their playoff hopes.

• NL Central Overview: We took a look at the heated NL Central race, with the Brewers, Reds, and Cubs battling for the top spot. Every game counts in this tight race!

Thanks for reading today's Cubs Superfans newsletter. We'll be back after the next game with more updates and insights.