After the recent road trip, I am actually pretty optimistic about the Cubs play recently. Granted they struck out 24 times in the Saturday night marathon, but they did win the game with a 6 run explosion in the 14th inning.
Looking at the bright side, though, they won 6 of 7 on the road, and the Brewers are coming down to earth, even losing 2 of 3 to the White Sox. Moreover, the Cubs have performed well despite some serious injuries, namely, Edwards and Darvish, as well as some really disappointing starts from Chatwood in particular.
People are all bemoaning the fact the Cubs signed Darvish and let Arrieta slip. At the time, I strongly supported management's decision to pass on Arrieta, who was never going to sign with the Cubs on the same terms he ultimately accepted in Philadelphia. Arrieta was always, I think, more of a risk than Darvish even though events so far seem to refute that claim. Sadly, I also thought Chatwood was a steal. He may still turn things around.
I've always been a big fan of Mike Montgomery, though, and I thought he deserved a shot at a starting role. His performance in the two starts replacing Darvish has been outstanding. If you are going to second-guess Epstein and Hoyer, you can make a case that they gave in too readily to the notion they had to replace Arrieta with another superstar in Darvish, spending big bucks in the process when they had a superior option in house.
Monday, June 4, 2018
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Taking Stock
The season is about 1/4 complete. So far the Cubs have lacked consistency. They've also had a lot of bad weather and postponements, including Thursday night's match against Atlanta. You still have to like their chances, though. If they can avoid stretches where they are in swing mode, such as Wednesday night, they will be in good shape. In terms of talent, they are way above the level of any of their division rivals.
People, or rather sportswriters, are speculating on future moves. A particularly weird trade scenario involves Manny Machado of the Orioles. Word is the Cubs are all in for Machado, whatever that means. Machado is certainly a terrific young player. He is, however, a free agent next year, which, of course, makes him a rental. Signing him in 2019, though not impossible, is going to cost something like $30MM a year and probably a six-year deal with all sorts of opt-outs.
The Orioles apparently want a lot for Machado. The thing is the Cubs don't have much to give in terms of blue-chip minor league talent, which means, of course, you have to be willing to move a current starting player. Speculation is that Russell is the minimum. Russell is no Machado, but he is a really good shortstop and he is young as well. I cannot see the team giving up on a player of his caliber who is under team control. Also, the thing is that infielders are not the team's problem. Offensively and defensively, the Cubs have one of the best infields in baseball, not to mention they have reserve infielders who could play every day on most teams in the league.
So this kind of deal makes very little sense. Actually, most of the free agent speculation for 2019 for the Cubs is kind of iffy. If they were to make a splash, it might be to go after Harper. Even that means mortgaging the future, as they will likely have to spend big money to retain Bryant and Rizzo and Baez and Contreras in a couple of years.
If the Cubs need help around the trade deadline, it is going to be pitching, especially if Darvish doesn't return to form. The biggest splash at the deadline is always pitching. Witness Verlander's impact last year, as well as Darvish and Quintana in a smaller way. Witness Andrew Miller's impact in 2016 as well as the Chapman deal the same year. Dominant starters and relievers who can pitch more than an inning win in the post-season. Not to mention that adding offense to a team that averages six runs a game is getting a little greedy.
People, or rather sportswriters, are speculating on future moves. A particularly weird trade scenario involves Manny Machado of the Orioles. Word is the Cubs are all in for Machado, whatever that means. Machado is certainly a terrific young player. He is, however, a free agent next year, which, of course, makes him a rental. Signing him in 2019, though not impossible, is going to cost something like $30MM a year and probably a six-year deal with all sorts of opt-outs.
The Orioles apparently want a lot for Machado. The thing is the Cubs don't have much to give in terms of blue-chip minor league talent, which means, of course, you have to be willing to move a current starting player. Speculation is that Russell is the minimum. Russell is no Machado, but he is a really good shortstop and he is young as well. I cannot see the team giving up on a player of his caliber who is under team control. Also, the thing is that infielders are not the team's problem. Offensively and defensively, the Cubs have one of the best infields in baseball, not to mention they have reserve infielders who could play every day on most teams in the league.
So this kind of deal makes very little sense. Actually, most of the free agent speculation for 2019 for the Cubs is kind of iffy. If they were to make a splash, it might be to go after Harper. Even that means mortgaging the future, as they will likely have to spend big money to retain Bryant and Rizzo and Baez and Contreras in a couple of years.
If the Cubs need help around the trade deadline, it is going to be pitching, especially if Darvish doesn't return to form. The biggest splash at the deadline is always pitching. Witness Verlander's impact last year, as well as Darvish and Quintana in a smaller way. Witness Andrew Miller's impact in 2016 as well as the Chapman deal the same year. Dominant starters and relievers who can pitch more than an inning win in the post-season. Not to mention that adding offense to a team that averages six runs a game is getting a little greedy.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Cubs Swept
I've got to say the Cubs almost pulled out an extra-innings victory after Baez's home run, but they managed to blow the game on a two-run homer by Dexter Fowler, who was 0 for 11 to that point in the series. A tip of the hat to Luke Farrrell who has now served up two extra-inning game losing home runs to Cardinals hitters. Perhaps he has earned a one-way ticket to Iowa.
In all honesty, the Cubs have been playing bad baseball for the past week. It is not just the hitting. This team just seems to be sleepwalking through games. The previous two games of the series were winnable games. Say what you like about Quintana and Chatwood not having their best stuff, but the Cardinals would not have scored three runs early on against Quintana if the Cubs had not made costly errors. Nor would they have scored four runs against Chatwood had the Cubs not set them up with two costly misplays.
Finally, the Cubs would not have been in an extra-innings contest Sunday had Heyward not lost a ball in the lights or whatever happened.
Well, that was a devastating defeat. Lets hope they can right the ship soon.
In all honesty, the Cubs have been playing bad baseball for the past week. It is not just the hitting. This team just seems to be sleepwalking through games. The previous two games of the series were winnable games. Say what you like about Quintana and Chatwood not having their best stuff, but the Cardinals would not have scored three runs early on against Quintana if the Cubs had not made costly errors. Nor would they have scored four runs against Chatwood had the Cubs not set them up with two costly misplays.
Finally, the Cubs would not have been in an extra-innings contest Sunday had Heyward not lost a ball in the lights or whatever happened.
Well, that was a devastating defeat. Lets hope they can right the ship soon.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Same as It Ever Was
The Cubs finished off a pretty successful home stand by losing two straight to the Rockies. Considering they never scored more than three runs in any of the games, that's doing pretty well. Obviously, their pitching had a lot to do with the success. I wasn't too concerned about the lack of offense against Milwaukee. Those games were played under pretty appalling weather conditions.
The Rockies series, though, was, in my mind, a return to the bad habits that characterized the team early this year and for parts of last year as well. Swinging for the fences, striking out. They managed to pull out the first of the Rockies games, then just achieved nothing in the last two despite the wind howling out.
The Hendricks game was a game they should have won. Hendricks pitched a really good game, especially as he was plagued by the umpiring of Laz Diaz, possibly the worst umpire in all of baseball. Three solo homers in 7+ innings. The Cubs, though, were in full wind blowing out mode and managed just one. Sometimes Maddon is just too cute. His lineup with the wind gusting did not include Schwarber or Contreras or Baez for some reason and was just a jumble with Rizzo leading off and no rhyme or reason thereafter.
Wednesday's game saw more of the same flailing ABs and a pretty rotten performance by Yu Darvish, who has been bafflingly inconsistent to date.
On to St. Louis for an early season showdown with the Cards.
The Rockies series, though, was, in my mind, a return to the bad habits that characterized the team early this year and for parts of last year as well. Swinging for the fences, striking out. They managed to pull out the first of the Rockies games, then just achieved nothing in the last two despite the wind howling out.
The Hendricks game was a game they should have won. Hendricks pitched a really good game, especially as he was plagued by the umpiring of Laz Diaz, possibly the worst umpire in all of baseball. Three solo homers in 7+ innings. The Cubs, though, were in full wind blowing out mode and managed just one. Sometimes Maddon is just too cute. His lineup with the wind gusting did not include Schwarber or Contreras or Baez for some reason and was just a jumble with Rizzo leading off and no rhyme or reason thereafter.
Wednesday's game saw more of the same flailing ABs and a pretty rotten performance by Yu Darvish, who has been bafflingly inconsistent to date.
On to St. Louis for an early season showdown with the Cards.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
A Great Game
Somehow I just love these 1-0 throwback pitchers duels. Last nights was a great example. For the Cubs, Hendricks was terrific, in complete command from the start. It's kind of a pity these guys aren't allowed or expected to pitch complete games as they were in the days of the Jentkins and Gibson duels.
As for the Cubs, they have won 5 of their last 7. Beginning with the Cardinals game, the lights seem to have gone on for them. Maybe Chili Davis had a meeting and/or they figured it out, but they seem like a different team since them. They are not striking out as much, they are not trying to hit home runs in every at-bat. All around playing well.
As for the Cubs, they have won 5 of their last 7. Beginning with the Cardinals game, the lights seem to have gone on for them. Maybe Chili Davis had a meeting and/or they figured it out, but they seem like a different team since them. They are not striking out as much, they are not trying to hit home runs in every at-bat. All around playing well.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Not So Great
So roughly the first tenth of the season is over. The Cubs will play their 16th game Thursday, weather permitting. Thus far, this looks a bit like a rerun of 2017, weak and inconsistent hitting, especially situational hitting, mediocre starting pitching, a struggling leadoff hitter...
Of course, things could turn around pretty quickly and a .500 start is not the end of the world. Still, I rather think that given the nature of the Cubs early season opponents, one supposes they expected to be more like 10-5 at this point, not 7-8.
One bright light has been the bullpen. They have turned in solid work on most occasions, especially in view of the extra-inning games and the short starts delivered by the rotation.
A couple of thoughts. I know Maddon is experimenting with the lineup. However, is it really necessary to expose another top prospect, Ian Happ, who seems entirely unsuited to batting leadoff, to the same disastrous start endured by yet another young player, Kyle Schwarber, who had the same experience last year? How stubborn can you be?
The Cubs do not have a traditional leadoff man. Still, they could do better than Happ. Why not try Almora in that spot against lefties and Heyward against right-handers? Why not bat someone like Russell second so that there might be an off-chance someone is on base for Bryant, Rizzo, and Contreras? Or Schwarber if need be. As a final thought, think about putting Happ in the ninth spot and batting the pitcher eighth, much as they did with Russell in his first season.
Of course, things could turn around pretty quickly and a .500 start is not the end of the world. Still, I rather think that given the nature of the Cubs early season opponents, one supposes they expected to be more like 10-5 at this point, not 7-8.
One bright light has been the bullpen. They have turned in solid work on most occasions, especially in view of the extra-inning games and the short starts delivered by the rotation.
A couple of thoughts. I know Maddon is experimenting with the lineup. However, is it really necessary to expose another top prospect, Ian Happ, who seems entirely unsuited to batting leadoff, to the same disastrous start endured by yet another young player, Kyle Schwarber, who had the same experience last year? How stubborn can you be?
The Cubs do not have a traditional leadoff man. Still, they could do better than Happ. Why not try Almora in that spot against lefties and Heyward against right-handers? Why not bat someone like Russell second so that there might be an off-chance someone is on base for Bryant, Rizzo, and Contreras? Or Schwarber if need be. As a final thought, think about putting Happ in the ninth spot and batting the pitcher eighth, much as they did with Russell in his first season.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Not as Advertised
I hate to say this but the Cubs are playing crappy baseball right now. After coasting to an opening day win, the team has gone into hibernation at the plate. This seems to be the same old story as last year. No clutch hitting, suckers for the high fastball, no situational hitting, stymied by left-handed pitching, impatient at-bats. Every now and again they have a good inning or two. But 58 Ks in five games against teams projected to lose 90-100 games. Come on.
Russell and Schwarber have been the exceptions as hitters, as have Bryant and Zobrist. Heyward has achieved a level of mediocrity that makes him look good in comparison to everyone else. Maddon, of course, suggests they are too good a hitting team to continue like this. Lets hope things improve quickly, as this team now looks very complacent.
The bullpen and defense have been the two bright spots. Also Hendricks and Chatwood turned in excellent starts. Lester and Darvish were disappointing, as was Quintana, although the latter pitched a lot better than the bottom line reflects. I should confess also that I have been knocking Butler for the better part of a year, but he turned in a stellar performance in relief Friday night only to lose a tough decision. Mea culpa.
Incidentally, I really hate this batting order. Happ and Almora have so far not delivered. Also, have I mentioned how much I hate Bryant batting second with no one ever on base. They need to move someone up to the two spot, especially as their leadoff hitters are having problems. Schwarber or Russell might fill the bill.
Russell and Schwarber have been the exceptions as hitters, as have Bryant and Zobrist. Heyward has achieved a level of mediocrity that makes him look good in comparison to everyone else. Maddon, of course, suggests they are too good a hitting team to continue like this. Lets hope things improve quickly, as this team now looks very complacent.
The bullpen and defense have been the two bright spots. Also Hendricks and Chatwood turned in excellent starts. Lester and Darvish were disappointing, as was Quintana, although the latter pitched a lot better than the bottom line reflects. I should confess also that I have been knocking Butler for the better part of a year, but he turned in a stellar performance in relief Friday night only to lose a tough decision. Mea culpa.
Incidentally, I really hate this batting order. Happ and Almora have so far not delivered. Also, have I mentioned how much I hate Bryant batting second with no one ever on base. They need to move someone up to the two spot, especially as their leadoff hitters are having problems. Schwarber or Russell might fill the bill.
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