The Phillies are in the middle of about as tough a stretch as any team could face. They just got swept by the Dodgers in LA, head to Wrigley to face the Cubs for a four game series, then are rewarded with a trip home to face the Nationals. They did manage to rip off a six game winning streak …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (12-9) at Boston Red Sox (11-10)
I like this matchup much more in the regular season than as a possible World Series matchup going into last postseason. I underrated the Indians by a lot, but I still think that Boston was the best team in the AL last year. Team Leaders Cubs OBP: Anthony Rizzo (.400) ISO: Rizzo (.241) HR: Rizzo (5) R+RBI: Addison Russell (29) …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (10-8) at Pittsburgh Pirates (8-10)
The Cubs were swept by this Pirates team a week ago, but the narrative has completely changed following Starling Marte's PED suspension. They've got another top prospect outfielder in Austin Meadows who in a perfect world would be filling those shoes, but he's been terrible since hitting AAA last year. It's strange to think back to those wild card teams …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (8-7) at Cincinnati Reds (9-7)
The Cubs face off with the titans of the NL Central for the first time this year. The Reds have cooled off a bit, dropping three of four to the Brewers and two of three to the O's in the past week. At least they gave their fans two weeks or so of vague relevancy, unlike past rebuilding Cubs teams. …
Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers (7-6) at Chicago Cubs (6-6)
Well, that weekend series sucked. Hopefully the Cubs actually hit a few with runners in scoring position this time around. Since we last saw the Brewers a week ago they reeled off four straight wins against the Jays and Reds before losing a late lead in their attempt to make it five in a row. Team Leaders (projected) Cubs OBP: …
Series Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles (4-3) vs Chicago Cubs (4-2)
The Cubs open up the latest iteration of the Wrigley renovations with a series against their NLCS foes. I have not been on top of the renovations, but I think this is the year where the bullpens will be moved to the outfield? I guess we will find out. The Cubs dodge Hill and Kershaw in this series, or, as …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (2-1) at Milwaukee Brewers (1-3)
The sweet smell of Provel and magically sticky baseballs is behind us, and the Cubs move from the home of one crappy beer to another. The Brewers could be a really fun team in a few years, but they are not there yet. Team Leaders (projected) Cubs OBP: Anthony Rizzo (.382) SLG: Rizzo (.529) HR: Rizzo / Kris Bryant (33) …
Series Preview: World Series Champions (0-0) at St. Louis Cardinals (0-0)
The only way this could be better would be if the Cubs opened the season at home, raising the World Series banner with the Cardinals in the house. As was mentioned in this weekend's (correctly recorded) podcast, the Cubs had relatively little spring training drama this year aside from maybe Heyward's new swing. Meanwhile the Cardinals situation is such that …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (103-58) vs Cleveland Indians (94-67)
Well, here we are. The World Series. I kind of still can’t believe it, despite the fact that the Cubs were the best team in baseball this year. Maybe even because of that, given how random the playoffs can be. Team Rankings Cleveland AL rankings: OBP: 4th SLG: 6th wRC+: 4th Defense: 1st BSR: 1st SP ERA: 2nd RP ERA: …
Series Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angels (91-71) vs Chicago Cubs (103-58)
The Dodgers squeaked past the Nats, using just about all their pitchers in the process. That’s pretty much been a theme for this team this year, as they used fifteen different starters and set a record for the most pitching changes in a season. Expect a lot of long games, especially if Pedro Baez makes multiple appearances. Corey Seager is …