At least the Cubs didn’t draw the Dodgers in this one, Kershaw or no Kershaw, and they don’t have to travel yet again. We can only hope the Cubs don’t feel the same frustration and cynicism about being stuck in this position that many of us do at home. I guess we can always point to the 2006 Cardinals. It’s …
Game 163 Preview: Brewers at Cubs
Welp, here we are at game 163. As frustrated as some of us are, it’s good to remember that this team was somehow both kind of disappointing/had all sorts of crap/injuries/scheduling thrown at it and still won 95 games. It would be nice if, say, the Cubs didn’t get swept by the Reds earlier this year, but the fact that …
Series Preview: Minnesota Twins (35-42) at Chicago Cubs (44-35)
As much of a disaster as that last road trip was, coming away with a split and an overall season series win over the Dodgers despite all the roster setbacks still found a way to thaw my cold cynical heart. The bats finally broke out, and we’ll see if that continues or if things sputter yet again over the next …
Series Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (37-32) @ Chicago Cubs (40-27)
The best two teams in the National League in 2016 and 2017 were the Cubs and Dodgers. The best two teams this year probably would have been the Cubs and Dodgers if it wasn’t for some injuries to the Dodgers. The Dodgers have rebounded and are one of the hottest teams in the league so it might turn out that …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (38-27) at St Louis Cardinals (36-30)
Another day, another big NL Central series. It’s still only the middle of June, but just like the last series both teams are probably just wanting to get out of this series without getting swept. And to at least score more than three runs in regulation. Team Leaders Cubs OBP: Kris Bryant (.391) ISO: Javier Baez (.264) HR: Baez (14) R+RBI: …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (37-25) @ Milwaukee Brewers (39-26)
The Cubs head to Milwaukee for the biggest series of the year so far. The Cubs are half a game behind the Brewers. It’s not a huge series or anything since it’s only the middle of June, but I think both teams are just wanting to get out of this series without getting swept. Team Leaders Cubs OBP: Kris Bryant …
Series Preview: Colorado Rockies (15-14) at Chicago Cubs (15-10)
The Cubs face the Rockies again, just a week away from their trip to Coors. At least the weather will be better this time. The Cubs took two of three in Coors, but came away from the series minus one MVP after an errant pitch caught Bryant on the helmet. I don't expect the Cubs to retaliate in this one, …
Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers (15-9) @ Chicago Cubs (11-10)
Team Leaders Now that I’m lazy and copying the earlier Series Preview, I'll use the teams' 2017 numbers here instead. Cubs OBP: Kris Bryant (.409) ISO: Ian Happ (.261) HR: Anthony Rizzo (32) R+RBI: Rizzo (208) wRC+: Bryant (146) BSR: Bryant (4.8) Defense: Willson Contereras (12.8) SP K/9: Jose Quintana (10.46) SP BB/9: Quintana (2.24) SP FIP: Quintana (3.25) RP FIP: Carl Edwards Jr (12.75) RP BB/9: Brandon Morrow (1.85) RP FIP: Morrow …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (10-9) at Cleveland Indians (12-8)
The Cubs return to the site of their World Series victory in 2016. There's a decent chance of rain in both games of this series, so hopefully Jason Heyward can dust off his rain delay speechifying skills. Since they're in an AL park, the Cubs get a DH this week. I'm guessing it will be Schwarber with Happ getting time …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (8-8) at Colorado Rockies (11-9)
The Cubs are back on the road after a bizarre, weather besieged homestand. Hopefully getting into a rhythm will help them get out of their funk of inconsistency and tonight's game looks…dammit. I'm up in Denver for this series, and while I waited out a 2-3 hour rain delay the last …