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 …
Series Preview: St. Louis Cardinals (9-7) at Antarctica Cubs (8-8)
The Cubs return to the semi-frozen tundra of Wrigley field for a big series against the Cardinals. For all the bitching about the awful weather canceling games this April – what else can you do? It's April 16 and the weather is this bad. Sometimes nature just throws you a slutter. The best solution I've heard is that the schedulers …
Series Preview: Atlanta Braves (7-5) at Chicago Cubs (6-6)
I guess the Cubs are catching a break by playing the pre-Acuña Barves. They haven't really needed him however, as their offense has scored the second most runs in the NL, behind only the Pirates of all teams. Not surprisingly, Freddie Freeman is leading the way with a .480 wOBA. They're coming off a series loss in DC, their first …