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 …
Series Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates (7-2) at Chicago Cubs (5-4)
The Pirates got off to a hot start with a sweep of the awful Tigers in Detroit. They also split a series with the Twins and won two of three from the Reds, all at home. After trading their top two players in the offseason (both probably a year too late), expectations are pretty low. Team Leaders I'm still using …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (2-3) at Milwaukee Brewers (4-2)
The Cubs early season road trip continues, this time with another four game set on the road. Strange schedules are strange. Team Leaders Now that the Cubs are facing another team that did not trade 95% of its roster in the offseason, I'll use the teams' 2017 numbers here instead. Cubs OBP: Kris Bryant (.409) ISO: Ian Happ (.261) HR: …