Why did the Chicago Cubs skip Shota Imanaga in the rotation?

[@charlesdarwin180]

Brewer fan here, I really like Sam Olbur's passion for his Cubs team. It's very hard to disagree with someone speaking from the heart; Sam says," The Brewers are really really good. And rigtht now they looked better by a WIDE margin than our baseball team." Hard to argue with the facts. Kudos to Sam Olbur for not sugar coating the situation surrounding the Cubs.

[@jonahnorris1367]

Let’s be honest though, cubs are playing horrible and still only 4.5 out……

[@aakar88]

Brewer Fan- Counsell is still working hard for you guys and you fake boo him? LOL, love it

[@_MjG_]

​@@aakar88 Now 5.5 games back on pace to finish 15 games back being this is only 1/3 of the season now.

[@aakar88]

@@_MjG_ Don't count your chickens yet, look @ Atlanta. But great series and the booing was hilarious

[@Fin-eo2bg]

Sam and Matt: first I wanted to say thank you for your podcast. I had horrible accident I have recovering from and truly believe your show has been a huge emotional lift during this time. Your knowledge of our beloved Cubs is second to none, as well as baseball in general. Secondly,this month was awful and hard to figure out. We were playing better when we had a few of our stars out, and horrible at full or mostly full strength. Jed and Rickettsclooked really smart in April and really bad in May. I should have gone out and got one more star. Sam is spot on that we have a bunch of nice B players, that unfortunately are hottie same time and cold the same time. We may need to make big move soon.

[@rodneyhennings3414]

No Sam!! You're not hard on him, you just point out the mistakes, as you should!! You and Matt's criticisms are spot on!! You remind me of David Kaplan!! I love it!! Don't hold back!!👍🏾

[@charlesdarwin180]

Brewer fan here, Also, I like the way Matt Cozzi and Sam Olbur bounce their ideas and discuss things with each other.

[@douglascarlson9006]

Pretty impressive ... We cut the lead to 7-4 and then old reliable Hendricks held them to just 3 more runs in 3 innings ... Highlights ... - Hendricks has given up 11 HRs in just 36 innings, highest HR rate in the majors; - Hendricks improved his ERA from 10.47 to 10.16 - also the highest ERA in the bigs, nice job Kyle! - Superstar bonus baby mega millionaire Dansby goosed his BA from .208 to .204; - All or nothing Morel upped his BA all the way down to .193; And let us not forget to thank Hoyer and Ricketts for taking enough money to those winter meetings to buy the moon and signing only one FA: Like I said: IMPRESSIVE!

[@rwbteam7468]

Tbh, Morel is by far just getting insanely unlucky, and it's just awful

[@dave-pm9bu]

As far as Hendricks I appreciate what he has done in the past but maybe it's time for some kind of change

[@douglascarlson9006]

@@dave-pm9bu Did I hear you correctly? ... you said "maybe", right? Maybe? ...

[@dave-pm9bu]

@@douglascarlson9006 I guess I'm loyal to guys that have been with Cubs for a while I know he's bad

[@Beatlesbec]

Hendricks is DONE

[@johnlenon8872]

we have not seen Vasques in the lineup. He can surely hit .190 like Morel and we know he can field. Belli has to be at 1B. How many throws does Belli save whereas Busch does not scoop a low throw or even get a glove on it. How many throws did Rizzo save? That matters. PCA in CF was something I said in spring tng. Mike can play RF. One thing the whole team does great? Take strike one down the middle. Swing at pitch 2 in the dirt. Take strike 3 down the middle. On the occasion a 92 mile an hour fast ball gets swung at? And they connect? Foul ball. The cubs cannot even hit a fast ball down the middle. Nico takes 3 straight pitches for strikes and whiffs looking. Morel swings at the first pitch in the dirt? Takes the next two down the middle. 3 straight pitches for Nico and Morel. Outs. Brewers swing at strikes and hit missles.

[@dave-pm9bu]

Shoeti has more than pulled his weight. We should be glad we have him..lets get the next one

[@JustinKarling-lk4hi]

Let’s go cubs! Time to get this turned around. Let’s get an afternoon win and get back home. I’ll be going to the game on Saturday!

[@dave-pm9bu]

It's getting hard to stay positive

[@gabrielsvision7218]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@davidg.fitzgerald9487]

I am confused. I thought with the addition of Counsell that we would be making a lot better decisions as it pertains to personell and in game moves.

[@andrewf1919]

Suzuki is so frustrating as a big leaguer when he historically needs time off during the season to get his head right. The cubs have half a right fielder starter and it’s even more frustrating that there’s outfield depth just sitting there that would honestly be more productive

[@Themansnigel]

He needs to be an everyday player

[@antdatrill__]

keep up good work guys

[@mr.bohner6819]

Imanaga has already been going on extra rest this whole season guys. & we aren't even done with May. 10 days of rest on his schedule up to this point makes no sense what so ever. Jed/Counsell are planning like the postseason is guaranteed AND IT ISNT!!!

[@rodneyhennings3414]

Hey Sam!! I'm glad you see it, because, I don't!! This team needs a swift kick!! The Front Office is just sitting on their hands!! When I watch MLB network, they talk about moves the teams that are much better than the Cubs making roster adjustments!!

[@whitemonstrius]

i was waving to all the fibs leaving in the 7th

[@MichaelRuffrano]

ill bet when pca gets in the lineup we will look like a different team fire

[@MichaelRuffrano]

pca pca

[@joen8529]

@@MichaelRuffrano I actually tend to agree…

[@MINNESOTA_PTSD]

PCA (CF) Nico (2B) Bellinger (1B) Tauchman (OF/DH) Happ (LF) Suzuki (DH/OF) Morel (3B) Swanson (SS) Pitcher (C) Edit: But this lineup would be killer. Imagine this …. -PCA infield single. -Nico ambush 1st pitch. -Runners on 1st n 3rd. -Nico steals 2nd. -Runners 2nd-3rd. Nobody out. -Opp pitches around Bellinger. -Bellinger takes his BB. -Bases loaded. 0 out. -Tauchman up. -Professional AB makes it 2-0. -Happ then hits a 3 run HR. 5-0. -Suzuki Ks out. -Morel works a 1 out BB. -Dansby fouls out to 1st. 2 out. -Catcher Ks out on 3 pitches. -Inning over. 5-0 cubs. DUE UP NEXT INNING (1. PCA/2. NICO/3. BELLINGER) 👌

[@chrispetryk6079]

If Vasquez doesn’t play SS on Tuesday our leader “Sheriff Swanson” will have his avg drop below .200. Suzuki brutal. Catchers brutal Hendricks brutal. Imanaga (skipped start) brutal tonight

[@Anleifr]

it is only a matter of time until the pitching regresses, there is no way they can keep what they've done up all season and the saddest part is the offense is not taking advantage of it.

[@whitemonstrius]

lol had fun waving to all of you guys in the 7th inning

[@matt_cozzi]

We weren't at the game

[@whitemonstrius]

@@matt_cozzi as if any of you are distinguishable from each other

[@knleonhart]

If we had the foresight to be on a 6 man rotation, maybe we wouldn't be setting our star pitcher and ruining his momentum 2 months into the season. Justin Steele was tired at the end of last season. The rest of our rotation is unproven young guys. I'm getting so tired of this organization and its inability to think ahead or even see things right in front of them.

[@matt_cozzi]

Would be great to see them do something like that, even only for a week or two at a time

[@kanderko9449]

I like the six man rotation idea, especially when Wicks comes back. The pen is awful, so we need the starters to go deep whenever possible. I’m losing faith in Hottovy, someone upstairs must like him just like Happ.

[@knleonhart]

@@kanderko9449 yeah I was thinking about that, that an extra day could allow them to go a little deeper or maybe reach back for some extra on their pitches

[@jasonlassiter9229]

Nope, the offense is horrible. We can’t win if we don’t score any runs. We managed 6 runs on Wednesday, but for the most of almost an entire month, the offense has been nonexistent.

[@knleonhart]

@@jasonlassiter9229 what are you talking about? I didn’t say anything about the offense. Two things can be right at the same time.

[@jasonmorris7688]

Can't believe I drove an hour north for that game

[@whitemonstrius]

its alright if u heard me yelling at u in the 7th inning when u left lol

[@jhj1115]

But the people are saying “Happ is back!” Idk just what I heard

[@davidarellano870]

This game is the first horribly managed this year for council. You don't give imonaga 2 weeks off, you don't pinch hit wisdom for my 9 year old grandson, and you don't let Hendricks in a major league pitching staff

[@charlesdarwin180]

Brewer fan here, but I heard Sam Olbur outline some leadership on a past podcast called "The Cubs are Broken". My point is that this isn't Counsel's 1st poorly managed game and trust me , it won't be his last.

[@douglascarlson9006]

I believe Counsel has ceded power over Hendricks' fate to Hoyer and Ricketts ... Cub fans should be outraged by this ... Counsel took the big bucks for this job with a wink and handshake ... ya see, Hoyer and Ricketts MUST keep Hendricks in the mix because of his $16m contract ... Do you think Cade Horton would still be on the roster if he had the same numbers as Hendricks? ... hell no! ... he would have been gone after only 3-4 starts! It's all about money at this point ... Hoyer and Ricketts were happy to recoup $79.38 on Hendricks performance last night ... They play this game just like a couple corrupt DC politicians ... they keep the profits private and socialize the losses on the fan base.

[@danwindsor770]

As a Brewer fan, I was just praying "pleeeeaase bring in Hendricks.

[@douglascarlson9006]

@@danwindsor770 Yup, he really put out the fire!

[@dave-pm9bu]

Agree if anything you give him a 50 pitch limit then pull him you NEVER skip a rotation

[@jasonlew8074]

Pain....

[@wolfpacker77able]

My GO CUBS

[@pas112472]

The Cubs should sign Trevor Bauer to be the closer. He is a starter, but he also throws his fastball at 96 MPH consistantly and can hit 98. He also has great control and has 4 or more different pitches to go with that fastball. He could start if needed, but the Cubs need bullpen help. He would sign for 2-years for cheap at $1-million. I am putting him as the closer because that is the problem spot for the Cubs and also because the best closers often a bit crazy.

[@EV-ok2kv]

We have to do something drastic trade happ already he’s been here to long..

[@davidarellano870]

I couldn't agree more

[@jhj1115]

Long ride back to Chicago ….

[@danwindsor770]

Not yet, one more game to lose first.

[@David.560_-]

​@@danwindsor770you a sick individual

[@jhj1115]

@@danwindsor770 lol nah I meant for me personally. I went to Milwaukee to see the game last night.

[@JDeazy07]

It feels like Morel hasn’t gotten a hit in about 2 weeks

[@84koolkid]

This team is not going anywhere

[@mr.bohner6819]

And Hendricks needs to go to the 60 day IL. Maybe he can help after the All-Star break but in the words of Sam Olbur "ENOUGH ALREADY!!"

[@Beatlesbec]

MILWAUKEE has NEVER won a WS

[@charlesdarwin180]

Brewer fan here, but what about this year with the best manager in baseball, Pat Murphy, at the helm?

[@David.560_-]

Shout out to Becky

[@Beatlesbec]

@@David.560_- yes

[@Beatlesbec]

@@charlesdarwin180 GO AWAY!!!

[@danwindsor770]

Milwaukee Braves won in 1956 I think. Brewers have one less WS title than the Cubs have in the last 120 years.

[@andrewf1919]

A huge reason for this continued slump in this team is a lack of player leadership. It’s a roster of B+ players with no apparent leadership. It should be Dansby but he’s stuck in his own head. I believe the Cardinals were so good for as long as they were because of Yadier Molinas clubhouse leadership. He left and all of the sudden the quality of their games plummeted. The cubs desperately need a leader in the clubhouse

[@jackhat8070]

Tbh he’s never pitched more than like 160 innings so IF big IF we make playoffs I’d rather have him full speed than being gassed thowin 180 innings for the first time

[@ranlitt3201]

You cannot accomidate PCA. Bellinger is in the top 5 outfielders in MLB. PCA wouldn't make that over the fence catch. Put him in RF, not Bellinger.

[@danwindsor770]

Have you looked at the roster you are trailing ?? Full of "Rejects". Miller, Monastario, Dunn, Ortiz, Bauers & pitchers Wilson, Hudson, Milner, Koenig, Rea. No Burnes, Woodruff, Miley & Wiiliams

[@danwindsor770]

Add Perkins to the list

[@brennaneads2289]

I think the offense is going to get hot we had atleast 3 run rob in the game morel Homer and a gomes single that whould have scored a run

[@alexer2163]

For as much as your guys said counsel was good for another 5-10 wins he’s cost us more games then he’s won us from what I’ve seen

[@charlesdarwin180]

Brewer fan here, Lol, I'd say you're right on point!

[@danwindsor770]

Counsell, without Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta and Williams/Hader is not even as good as Ross.

[@charlesdarwin180]

@@danwindsor770 It appears Counsell was a freerider, and he's collecting big money because of that scam.

[@douglascarlson9006]

Looks like I just mentioned the owner and GM of the Cubs one too many times ... KZbin just blocked my last REPLY ...

[@wizard-zw9vl]

Cubs need people wth. Atitude

[@rodneyhennings3414]

But, 3 runs were given to them!!

[@rodneyhennings3414]

🙄🤔Why Luis? He hasn't played, they called him up, just not to play!!??🤔🧐🤨

[@billhayes5581]

Morel needs to go down and get himself straightened out, this is beyond ridiculous.

[@davidarellano870]

Get Swanson out of the lineup for a few days PLEASE

[@dave-pm9bu]

I don't want to destroy this guy...maybe his wife or one of the kids are ill or something he just has not been right

[@yungb2714]

Does Jed have y’all on payroll too? Why don’t yall ever discuss Jed Hoyer not being good at his job

[@NOBlinders]

Manager making mistakes but no one knows what forces behind the scene are pushing him in certain directions.

[@charlesdarwin180]

Brewer fan here, Counsell made key tactical blunders in Milwaukee too.

[@NOBlinders]

@@charlesdarwin180 Agree

[@Tomgreensports]

The Reds are licking their chops waiting to play the Cubs and running them right out of Wrigley Field

[@dave-pm9bu]

Don't blame them why would any team fear us?

[@gabrielsvision7218]

100 years to go cubs 😂😂😂😂

[@joegadberry2221]

👍

[@tomkotter1181]

Rest should be given...Suzuki, Hendricks, Swanson, Morel, Madrigal...but not Imanaga! Who's doing the thinking for the Cubs?

[@randallherr4273]

You got to wonder about the ownership,do they want a winner,doubt it,just collect as much money as they can,

[@danwindsor770]

LOL is this the best you have to offer. Blame Counsell. He should have rested him 12 days instead

[@robertfox798]

and how bad would you two rail on Counsel (whom I still believe is over rated, and nothing he has done in the first quarter of a season of a five season contract has changed that) if we would have played an IF in the OF and that IF made a mistake. hind sight is twenty- twenty boys. These are grown men, not kids. you don't get players or call them out (anymore) for their mistakes. Doesn't work like that anymore in this day and age or free agency and player movement. Chicago would be even less of a place for the good free agency would want to sign if they knew if they made a mistake the manager and/or front office would call them out and embarrass them.

[@gabrielsvision7218]

You’re locked on scrubs 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Dubz1908]

Clownsell isnt a Savior. Hes a shinier version of David Loss.

[@arizonadiyhunting5253]

Ya’ll ever get tired of second guessing every decision?

[@matt_cozzi]

No. It's a daily show about a daily sport

[@dave-pm9bu]

I hear you but it's kinda what they are here to do

[@jtavegia5845]

Counsell is not a great manager and now the Cubs are stuck with another long contract. DFA Hendricks. Hotovy is not a good pitching coach. Enough already. Hitting coaches need to go as well. Time for a total restart as Swanson is lost at the plate.

[@randymiller-p7f]

MAKE CHANGES NOW

[@hanke2588]

The rest didn’t do him any good.

[@DanielRRoof]

Funny nobody talking about how bad madrigal, gomes, and amaya are. Offense and defense they are trash right now

[@Elias-Alexander]

Cubs blew another one boys… this is beyond frustrating to watch. Underperformance and no sense of urgency. Call up the prospects, we need a jolt.

[@bradmoretz]

It's crazy how the Cubs can pretty much buy 95% of free agents, and the Brewers are bottom feeders with the exception of development and a spectacular GM. HMMMMM....JED SUCKS!!!!!

[@randymiller-p7f]

WE SELLING THIS YR....GET RID OF DEAD WEIGHT

[@dave-pm9bu]

How.....It's not like football you just can't cut these guys