Cubs fans irate at Nick Madrigal, Willie Harris, all of the above as slump continues
The Chicago Cubs were in first place in the NL Central at the end of April. May has not been kind to them.
Chicago finished the month with a 10-17 record. They're now six back of the Milwaukee Brewers in first place and they've been unseated for second place by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Friday presented a chance to wash the bad taste out of their mouth following a 1-3 series against the Brewers. Instead, they swallowed another bitter pill watching the bullpen blow another lead and multiple baserunning mishaps get in the way of a W.
In the ninth inning, the Cubs had a prime chance at a walk off after Seiya Suzuki's double brought home Pete Crow-Armstrong. But Nick Madrigal made an ill-advised attempt at home plate and got thrown out by a laser from Elly De La Cruz.
This was a 93.3 mph SEED from Elly De La Cruz to keep the Reds in the lead. pic.twitter.com/RqmC2wvbNy
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) May 31, 2024
The Cubs went on to lose on a Cody Bellinger fly ball. Leaving Chicago looking for someone to blame. Madrigal was an easy target.
Cubs fans want Nick Madrigal sent to Timbuktu but he'd take forever to get there
WHHYYYYYY DID WE SEND MADRIGAL WHEN HE IS NOT FAST AND ELLY THROWS 250 MPH!?!? WHYYYYY
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) May 31, 2024
Nick Madrigal 9th inning recap:
— two bird carl (@barstoolcarl) May 31, 2024
- Down 5-3
- Runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs
- HBP called a foul ball strike
- Weakly grounds into fielders choice
- Thrown out at home by a mile as the tying run
- Probably starting tomorrow
Get Nick Madrigal away from Chicago right now. He provides no positive value to this baseball team. None at all
— Jacob Zanolla (@jz2016cubs) May 31, 2024
The Cubs really have no argument in keeping Nick Madrigal around. Can’t even Roger Dorn lean into one or score on an obvious double into the corner.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 31, 2024
On a similar note, if the Cubs farm system is so great, why is Nick Madrigal still on the MLB roster? https://t.co/kMU4IBFcUl
— The Tomfoolery of Professor John Frink (@Frustrated_Fan) May 31, 2024
Madrigal wasn't the only member of the Cubs who became the subject of Twitter criticism.
Third base coach Willie Harris stood in front of the media and took the blame for sending Madrigal in the first place.
"Today is on me."
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 31, 2024
Willie Harris following today's loss against the Reds. pic.twitter.com/r3vKBnGuL9
As much as Cubs fans appreciated the accountability, they still had plenty to say about the game-killing call.
One of the worst sends I’ve ever seen. Willie Harris has one job & has to know DeLaCruz has the strongest arm of any shortstop in baseball. Absolutely brutal. Compounded by the team being in a terrible slump right now, Harris cost them a chance for a much-needed win. https://t.co/Yx7CcbG9HW
— Mark Schanowski (@MarkSchanowski) May 31, 2024
Yes it’s Elly de La Cruz’ arm, but the biggest issue with Willie Harris’ send is that Bellinger deserves to be trusted to at the very least get a sac fly to tie the game.
— M@ (@MattSpiegel670) May 31, 2024
He’s your best situational hitter by a mile. Give him 2nd and 3rd with one out.
Willie Harris that was a horrible send
— 🅱️🚂 (@blakecowellx) May 31, 2024
Wasn’t even CLOSE
Someone needs to remind Willie Harris that Madrigal is slower than either of the #Cubs catchers.
— Fully Krausened (@fullykrausened1) May 31, 2024
The Cubs aren't in a good place. They're finding ways to lose instead of finding ways to win. Confidence in the bullpen is shot. The lineup is struggling. Manager Craig Counsell made head scratching decisions in the Milwaukee series and now his coaches are piling on the mistakes.
No wonder Cubs fans are irate. Even the silver linings are tinted with pain.
Trying to remind myself there was a time I happily tuned in to every Cubs game knowing we had 0 playoff hopes
— Kara Fagan (@karafagan) May 31, 2024
I guess the good Cubs news is May is over.
— Alex Patt (@chifanpatt2) May 31, 2024
The Cubs head into June with another two matchups with the Reds over the weekend. Whether they manage to win those or not, Jed Hoyer has to take note of the deficiencies of his team and get ready to make some moves at the MLB trade deadline.
feed