Cubs Live
For the second straight year, the Chicago Cubs will be National League Central champions. They have re-submitted their ticket to the dance that is October baseball, and seemed to cast out all talk of some silly curse. However, there are cautions to be aware of this postseason.
Unlike last year, the Cubs will be entering the playoffs with the worst record amongst their fellow NL division champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals. They have the fourth best run differential (plus 120), lagging behind the Dodgers (plus 193), Nationals (plus 148), and the wild-card Diamondbacks (plus 143). Las Vegas odds makers place them behind both L.A. and Washington, in addition to the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros. The defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs, have found themselves in an all too familiar position as the underdog. As with most things, manager Joe Maddon has decided to run with the underdog narrative and turn it into something positive. According to Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune, when asked about being far from the favorite, manager Joe Maddon said “It’s very understandable. So it’s kind of fun to go on the other side of the street. I’m good with that.” Although the Cubs win loss record doesn’t exactly jump at you the way the Dodgers or Nationals does, them riding with the underdog label may seem odd. After an abysmal first half, by defending world series champion standards, the Cubs have been rolling since the beginning of August. After the All-Star break they have led all of baseball in runs scored and OPS. Somehow flying under the radar for MVP contention, third baseman Kris Bryant and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have led the charge during the Cubs second half resurgence. Rizzo has belted 32 home runs, and knocked in 109 RBI, matching his career high. Bryant has followed up his MVP season nicely, arguably with better numbers. Although his HR and RBI totals are down, his OPS is an astonishing .949. Bryant also has career low strikeout numbers and a career high of base on balls. Plus, break out performers such as Wilson Contreras (21 home runs) and Ian Happ (24 home runs) have really boosted this team. On the other side of the ball, there is a little more to worry about. Despite the bullpen being rock solid as of late, the starting pitching has a few question marks. In three September appearances Jake Arrieta has a 6.10 ERA, and has been scratched from his final regular season start due to his hamstring injury flaring up. Jon Lester has had one of his worst seasons of his career. His 4.79 ERA since the All-Star break is very worrisome heading into October. Although, he has shown the ability in the past to shed his regular season skin and return to being an ace. Things could be worse though, as there are many positive signs the Cubs pitching staff has shown. Kyle Hendricks has seemingly returned to his 2016 Cy Young caliber self, and reminded fans how good he is. After a couple of rough starts, trade deadline acquisition, Jose Quintana has been very good. He’s shown the ability to keep the team in the game, and has spun the ball well in big moments that were remnant of a playoff atmosphere. Overall, the Cubs definitely have a rotation that can get it done in the postseason. The Cubs will definitely have a tough test in the NLDS vs the Nationals stellar rotation and star studded line-up. If they make it past Washington, they will most-likely rematch Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers in the NLCS, who have been the best team in baseball all year. Worth what it is, the Cubs have a 2-4 record against the Nationals and are 3-4 facing the Dodgers this year. The Cubs are most certainly considered underdogs this year, but any team that treats them as that, is in for a rude awakening. They may not have the best record this year, but they do have a rare mixture of extremely talented, young, and experienced players. Simply put, they know how to rise to the occasion and turn it on; and when they do, there isn’t a team in the league that can beat them. If there is anything fans, experts, or general observers should know, it’s that the Chicago Cubs can never be counted out.
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Kyle MalzhanFounder who is an aspiring journalist who covers the Chicago Cubs daily. Archives
April 2020
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