David Ross Pisses Away Another Game

I get it, the Marcus Stroman injury really fucked things up for the Cubs starting rotation, but that doesn't just mean you go back to the guy who has been terrible since June and hope things all of a sudden change despite overwhelming evidence that it will not. Get creative, don't just put your hands up and say, "well, who else is there?" That's literally what David Ross said when asked if Drew Smyly was going to stick around in the rotation after getting rocked by the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.

Anyone with a working brain knew the decision to start Smyly this week was a bad choice. You already know the numbers by now, as Smyly has been atrocious since June and going back to June 28, he had given up 35 earned runs in 38 innings. The only time he's looked good was on July 28, when he came in to face the St. Louis Cardinals after Hayden Wesneski pitched two innings to start the game. After that he made two more bad starts and then we all thought Smyly was going to stick in the bullpen, where he had three consecutive scoreless appearances.

But no. Instead, Ross went back to Smyly against the Tigers and it went exactly as we expected.

The Cubs were down 3-0 heading into the fourth inning, but once again the offense fought back and thanks to a pair of two-run home runs by Dansby Swanson and Jeimer Candelario, the Cubs headed to the bottom of the fourth inning with a 4-3 lead.

So, even though the decision backfired on Ross, he actually had solid chance here with the Cubs out in front. But wait, Ross decided to leave Smyly in after the Cubs regained the lead. And it's not just that Ross left Smyly in that was annoying, it's that by the time Wesneski was warmed up and ready to come in, the Tigers had already taken the lead right back because for some reason Ross didn't think to have someone ready in case Smyly got into trouble.

Smyly allowed seven runs, all earned, on eight hits, including two home runs and three walks.

Swanson added a two-run single in the fifth inning that made it 7-6, but ultimately the Cubs lost 8-6.

Ross had multiple chances to make the correct decision and he managed to screw up every time. Start Drew Smyly - bad. Leave Smyly in to start the fourth inning - bad. Don't have anyone ready when Smyly gets into trouble in the fourth inning - bad.

The Cubs are trying to get into the playoffs and they continue to piss games away with these dumbass decisions. There is no reason whatsoever that Smyly should start again when that spot is up again in the starting rotation. No reason. Figure it the fuck out.