iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Appreciate you following and reading along. Was certainly a memorable year.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Thanks for the note! Appreciate you following along.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Yeah, that photo from Cincinnati was remarkable. Once you know the context of that scene, it becomes such a striking shot.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

"We believed in this group. We had the best player in baseball. We had an exceptional position-playing group. So, we believed in this group. And we fell short. We let that opportunity slip away. That’s the part that will gnaw at us for a long time."

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

"We can’t retain everyone. The team’s going to look and feel different next year. In a lot of ways, that’s a good thing. But I do want to emphasize that we have a lot of good players who are going to be free agents, and we’ll be in touch."

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

"We have to be willing to look at all aspects of our pitching operation to figure out: how do we get the pitching part to the level that our position-player group is? It’s not there right now."

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

"We’re leaning on our defense too heavily, and I think overall, the overall quality of the pitching has to improve. That’s really the thing that, when I think about our offseason, when I think about seasons to come, [improving the pitching infrastructure] has to be the goal."

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

"I think on the relief front, honestly, how we spend probably is not my focus. I did a poor job on the bullpen this year – full stop. The guys we acquired this winter didn’t produce nearly as well as they did a year ago." --Hoyer

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Jed Hoyer: "It feels like we let an opportunity slip away that we won’t get back. We have to work really hard to get back to that place. Losses like this are really motivating, but in the moment, right now, I feel for the fans who supported this team so much. I feel like they deserved a long run."

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Padres 4, Cubs 1 The final book of 2026 ⤵️

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The Cubs' 12-inning scoring drought to start this Wild Card Series with the Padres is over. Nico Hoerner delivers an RBI single in the 4th to cut San Diego's lead to 2-1.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Ha. I use red on any scoring play right after it happens. Thanks!

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I keep the book during the game -- no cleaning up postgame. I just forgot to post it right away last night. Had to get downstairs quickly.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

For those who want to see the book… Padres 8, Cubs 0 ⤵️

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Will post when I’m back upstairs. Had to hustle postgame!

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Cubs drop Game 1 in San Diego, 8-0. All that could go wrong seemingly did. Must-win scenario on Wednesday night for the North Siders.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

It has been a Game 1 disaster for Cubs. Boyd allowed 3 homers. Offense went 0-for-20 until Nico Hoerner's infield single in the 7th. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman a combined 0-for-7 with six strikeouts (a couple check-swing K's on PCA called by 3B ump Bill Miller). Padres up 8-0 in 8th.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Matthew Boyd allowed no home runs in September and had gave up just two homers in his last seven starts of the season (166 batters faced in 41.2 IP). He had not allowed 2+ homers in a game since Aug. 15. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado both took the veteran lefty deep in the first inning.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Game 1 between Cubs and Padres is on deck…

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

"I played it safe." Cubs manager Craig Counsell opts to keep Alex Bregman -- a little more than a week removed from the foul ball that resulted in multiple facial fractures -- as the DH for Game 1 in the name of minimizing risk.

mlb.com

Bregman will DH in Game 1 as Cubs play it safe to start

SAN DIEGO -- When the Cubs revealed their roster for the National League Wild Card Series on Tuesday morning, there were no big surprises. The entire five-man rotation made the list among the dozen ar...

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Here is the Cubs’ Game 1 lineup ⤵️

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Counsell not announcing a Game 2 starter yet. And Bregman will DH tonight in Game 1 rather than playing third. The Cubs manager said he preferred to play it safe with Bregman.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

No real surprises on Cubs’ Wild Card roster:

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Counsell names Matthew Boyd hos Game 1 starter.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Alex Bregman getting work in at third base during today’s workout. Bregman has said he’s willing to play the field, but so far Counsell has limited him to DH’ing out of precaution.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Hello from the Cubs’ workout at Petco Park. Justin Steele (part of the “stay ready” depth group) is currently throwing live BP.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Cubs 6, Red Sox 2 The last book of the regular season ⤵️

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Alex Bregman, in only his 2nd game back for the Cubs, has homered in each of his first two at-bats. Even with nothing on the line today for the playoffs, the third baseman asked into the lineup for Game 162. "Alex really wants to play," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said pregame. "He wants at-bats."

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Gausman said his bullpen was “normal-ish” on the metrics front. Said there is still lingering soreness, but the mound workout was a big step forward. Said recovery into Monday will be important to monitor. Still unsure of his availability.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Today will effectively be a bullpen session for Shota Imanaga. That means he could be available as early as Game 2. Counsell not tipping hand yet on any Wild Card probable starters. He did note that Gausman’s bullpen session went well today.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Counsell said the Cubs will be activating Braxton Garrett today. Hollowell being optioned. Wants to cover innings to stay away from main bullpen arms. They discussed Steele being activated, but Cubs were not sure how many innings he could provide.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

That’s cool. I’ve seen both statues but didn’t know that tidbit! Gwynn was one of my favorites as a kid. I always try to go say hey to that statue.

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

For the runners out there, I’ve had a daily streak dating back to Dec ‘24. This week has been a challenge on lack of sleep, wonky travel, doubleheader and Nor’eastern thrown in. But the streak is alive. Late night run Friday along Charles river. Couple runs so far here in St. Pete (13.1 this morn).

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I'm a real dude. You're a real dude. Real dudes who love scorebooks. Send me a photo of yours from the game!

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Jordan Bastian @bastianmlb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Shota Imanaga is starting Game 162 for the Cubs. We'll chat with Counsell pregame here, but clearly takes him out of Games 1-2 vs. Padres. Not a great matchup vs. SD's big righty bats. Could *potentially* be available on short rest for Game 3. Or, held until a possible NLDS.

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