Top Play (WPA): With the Cubs having lost the first half of the day-night double-header, they were relying on Jon Lester (3.50 ERA/3.03 FIP/3.90 DRA) to come through with a big game—and he certainly delivered. A complete-game gem of a performance from Lester made this game not only satisfying to watch as a fan, but a […]
Day: September 15, 2015
Game 143 Recap: Pirates 5, Cubs 4
Top Play (WPA): This game felt like it was over early, with Jason Hammel struggling to get through even the 3 2/3 he did complete and the offense’s ineptitude versus peak Gerrit Cole. The Cubs would eventually relinquish the ballgame late, another episode in the team’s recent reliever struggles. Despite this, the afternoon’s top play […]
Determining Fowler’s Value as Free Agency Looms
Dexter Fowler has been a huge part of the Cubs second-half surge this season, making Theo Epstein and the front office look like absolute geniuses for trading Luis Valbuena and Dan Straily to the Houston Astros in the offseason. But with the 29-year-old Fowler about to hit free agency in just over a month, the […]
Cubs in Best Playoff Position Since Depression
Sometimes, you just want to make a simple point. You don’t need a lot of tricky analysis to do it, and you want to get it across quickly. Here’s the point I want to make: The Cubs are going to be fine. Here’s why I think so: The Cubs are 7.5 games up on their closest competitor […]