Bearcats in the Big Leagues: Happ Wears the Golden Sombrero

Ian Happ

The Cubs and Diamondbacks scored 18 runs combined on Thursday, with the Diamondbacks pulling out a 10-8 victory. Despite all those runs, Happ didn’t enjoy the festivities and not just because his team lost. Batting sixth and playing second base and center field, Happ went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts, marking his second 0-for-5 effort in the last four games. With a win probability added (WPA) of -.335, he was the second-most detrimental player to the Cubs’ cause and his -100 wRC+ was his fifth such effort in the last eight games.

Josh Harrison

After only pinch hitting in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the Reds, Harrison was once again held out of the Pirates’ lineup on Thursday as he continues to recover from a leg injury he suffered while trying to run out a grounder last weekend. Although Harrison indicated recently that he feels better and should be back soon, another off day doesn’t exactly imbue confidence in that sentiment.

Connor Walsh

It was a day of rest for Walsh on Thursday as the reliever watched his Charlotte Knights drop a 4-1 decision in the finale of a three-game series against the Durham Bulls.

Ryan Atkinson

Atkinson should be starting either today or tomorrow as he has been off since making his Double-A debut on July 29.