The Jon Lester Game (7/31/2016)

On a night that was almost set up for failure before it even started, The Cubs dug themselves in a hole that raged a lot of hate on Cubs twitter. To take the mound for the home team on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, was Brain Matusz. The Chicago Cubs recently optioned Justin Grimm to AAA this past week to make room for Matusz on the roster. Which in reality, this was a game for him to get a spot start to try and increase his trade value.

Coming into this game, Matusz had to face King Felix Hernadez & the Seattle Mariners. This was the Mariners first time playing on SNB since 2004.

Well, after command issues and the lack of being able to place pitches, the Mariners led the Cubs 6-0 after the 3rd inning. After 3 innings, the Cubs bullpen took over and shut out SEA. CJ Edwards had a heck of a performance. He faced 6 batters & struck out 5. That kid is going to be very good in years to come. The Cubs used 22 players in this game alone. They got everyone involved, except Hendricks/Arrieta/Lackey.  Travis Wood even came into the game to pinch hit, pitch, & go out to play LF. He didn't just play, he made a web gem running grab which forced him to bang against the brick wall in the outfield. It helped get the crowd back into it.

Going into the 9th inning, The Cubs were down 6-3. Fans were leaving their seats and counting this team out. Well thanks to RBI's by Russell & Contreras and a wild pitch to bring the tying run across the plate, the Cubs were off to extras in a game that felt over after the first 3 innings. The come back was just insane. 6-6.

In the bottom of the 12th, score still tied 6-6, Jason Heyward led the team off with a double which was just a few feet short of being a walk off home run. After having such a slump season, that must have felt great. Contreras then flew out to the CF but with J-Hey tagging up for 3rd, It was a great opportunity for the unexpected to happen. Joe Maddon pinch hits Jon Lester, who just got his first career hit last year. Lester squared up on a fast ball and put a perfect bunt which allowed Heyward to score from 3rd. Yep, Jon Lester hit a walk off. I never thought I would have to say that in my life. Wrigley Field was nuts and so were the players.

In a game that was headed in a downward direction from the start, to coming back strong & finishing up with the win; It almost feels like the turning point for the Cubs in the 2016 season. Even with being the best team in baseball.

This game belongs to Joe Maddon and the whole team. The way Travis Wood came to pinch hit, to play the field, and then to pitch all in that sequence, was absolutely crazy. The hustle by Willson Contreras. Having Jon Lester pinch hit and hit the game winner on a sacrifice bunt after being down by 6 in the third inning is just how this Cubs team is resembled. Never count them out & expect the unexpected.

Man, was that fun to watch & quiet frankly, my favorite game so far in the 2016 season along with the Javy Baez Mothers Day walk off HR. A lot of baseball yet to be played & a lot more memories to be made, Cubs fans. Enjoy this one.

Mariners and Orioles Swap Miley for Miranda

(Photo: David Banks, AP)

The Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles agreed to a trade that would send starting pitcher Wade Miley to the Orioles in exchange for minor league prospect Ariel Miranda.

The 29-year old Miley spent his first four years in the league with the Diamondbacks, accumulating a 38-35 record and 4.07 ERA. He spent 2015 with the Boston Red Sox, going 11-11 with a 4.46 ERA. He is 7-8 this season with the Mariners, and a career-high 4.98 ERA. Despite his diminishing effectiveness, he adds a veteran left-handed presence to the end of Baltimore's rotation, something they had been lacking to this point.

Ariel Miranda played professionally for seven years Cuba before Baltimore brought him to the U.S. In his two years in Baltimore's minor league system, the 27-year old lefty is 10-10 with a 3.80 ERA.

Yankees Acquire Clippard From Diamondbacks

The New York Yankees selected Tyler Clippard in the ninth round of the 2003 draft.

After going to the Washington Nationals in 2008 and short stops with the Mets, Athletics and Diamondbacks, the Yankees have brought Clippard back, agreeing on a trade with Arizona on Sunday.

In exchange for Clippard, the Diamondbacks receive minor league starter Vicente Campos. In 20 starts through multiple minor league levels, the right-hander is 9-3 with a 3.20 ERA this year. 

Clippard is 2-3 with a 4.30 ERA in 37 2/3 innings this year. Clippard fills the bullpen hole created when the Yankees traded Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians. 

Jonathan Lucroy Vetoes Trade to Cleveland

The Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians had agreed on a trade that would send catcher Jonathan Lucroy to the Indians in exchange for a handful of prospects. Lucroy had named Cleveland as one of the eight teams on his no-trade list, but was willing to waive it if circumstances met his desires. 

They didn't. 

Lucroy wanted Cleveland to void the last year on his contract, a team option, for 2017, so he could become a free agent after this season. The Indians were unwilling to do so. Cleveland was also not willing to promise that Lucroy would be the starting catcher for them next year. 

The New York Mets and Texas Rangers have also been in talks with the Brewers about acquiring Lucroy. Cleveland has been in the market for another catcher since Yan Gomes was put on the disabled list on July 18 and is expected to miss four to eight weeks for the AL Central-leading Indians. 

The trade deadline is on Monday, August 1, at 4 pm ET. 

Twins To Call Up Jose Berrios

(photo credit: twincities.com)

The Minnesota Twins will call up their top prospect, pitcher Jose Berrios. He will join the team in Cleveland when they take on the Indians. He is expected to start Monday's game. 

Berrios is 10-5 with a 2.44 ERA in 16 games of triple-A play this season. He played with the Twins earlier this season, but after recording a 10.20 ERA in just four starts, the team designated him back to Triple-A Rochester. 

Indians Acquire Closer Andrew Miller From Yankees

(photo credit: m.mlb.com)

The Cleveland Indians have acquired closer Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees. The Indians are Miller's sixth team since 2006. 

He's pitched for the Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles before joining the Yankees in 2015.

Miller recorded a 2.04 ERA and 100 strikeouts in his first season with the Yankees. Through 2016, he has dropped his numbers, recording a 1.49 ERA and 72 strikeouts. In return for Miller, the Yankees got top prospects Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield.

A's Place Rich Hill on 15-Day DL

(Photo: Janie McCauley, AP)

The Oakland A's have placed left-handed starting pitcher Rich Hill on the disabled list, retroactive to July 20. Hill came out of his start on July 17 after just five pitches due to the presence of a blister on the middle finger of his left hand.

Hill commented on improvement, but mentioned the finger feeling "hot" after throwing a bullpen session on Friday.

The 36-year old Hill is 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA this season. Sonny Gray will fill Hill's spot in the rotation on Sunday as the A's face the Cleveland Indians.