May 2, 2021
Myles Straw grew up a big Tampa Bay Rays fan and has been to hundreds of games at Tropicana Field. Much for that reason, he’s more than a little familiar with Brandon Guyer. Which isn’t to say that Straw emulates the recently-retired outfielder. Guyer reached base via HBP a bruise-worthy 85 times from 2014-2018, and he did so despite never getting as many as 400 plate appearances in a single season. The bulk of his plunkings came in a Rays uniform.
When I talked to Straw this past Wednesday, he had played in 120 big-league games, all with the Houston Astros. He had never been hit by a pitch.
Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds preview, Friday 4/30, 6:10 CT
Share this story
Friday notes:
GOOD, THEN YIKES: Cubs starters posted a 3.35 ERA (14 earned runs in 37⅔ innings) in the first seven games of 2021 through April 8 but have produced a 6.42 ERA (58 earned runs in 81⅓ innings) in the last 18 games.
STEALING AWAY: The Cubs rank third in the NL with 16 stolen bases (five caught stealing) and reached 16 steals in their 25th game of the season last night. They had only five steals through 25 team games in 2020 and did not steal their 16th base until game No. 51 last year.
THEY HIT, SOMETIMES: In the Cubs’ 11 wins, the team has averaged 7.4 runs per game (81 runs total) with 22 home runs, a .279 average (102-for-365) with a .367 OBP, .532 slugging mark and an .899 OPS.
Reds 8, Cubs 6: Late comeback falls short
Share this story
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
Contreras left the game and was replaced by Tony Wolters. What happened?
Willson Contreras left tonight s game with mild right thigh tightness. #Cubs Meghan Montemurro (@M Montemurro) May 1, 2021
David Ross says Willson Contreras came out of the game as a precaution. Says trainers are currently working on him and they ll know more tomorrow. #Cubs Russell Dorsey (@Russ Dorsey1) May 1, 2021
This doesn’t sound as bad as it might have when Willson left the game, but he has had hamstring troubles in the past (missed significant time in both 2017 and 2019 as a result), so let’s hope he’s all right.
Brewers Corbin Burnes, Zack Godley go on injured list By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/29/21
The Milwaukee Brewers will be without two noteworthy right-handers for a period of time.
Milwaukee confirmed on Thursday that both Corbin Burnes and Zack Godley have been placed on the injured list. Godley is dealing with a right index finger contusion, while no reason was given for Burnes absence.
Those watching Wednesday s debacle involving the Brewers and Miami Marlins may recognize Godley as the pitcher curiously found guilty of obstruction as Miami second baseman Isan Diaz was running to first base in the top of the second inning of that matchup. Umpire Marty Foster went viral for making that call and then defended the decision after the game.
By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/28/21
Being an MLB umpire undoubtedly comes with challenges, and even the best in the business make mistakes. Nobody s perfect, after all. Still, it s difficult to defend what occurred in the top of the second inning of Wednesday s game between the Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers. Miami second baseman Isan Diaz hit a ground ball near the first base line that was quickly collected by Milwaukee pitcher Zack Godley, who threw to first for the force out as a runner touched home plate for the contest s opening run.
E1
However, umpire Marty Foster ruled Diaz safe after he said Godley was guilty of obstruction on the play even though slow-motion replays showed that everybody involved did everything right. Diaz did not venture so close to Godley that he should ve been called out. Godley never flirted with entering Diaz s path before throwing to first.