2016 Stats: 3.53 ERA/3.54 FIP/2.71 DRA, 1.3 WARP Year in Review: One of the stories that circulated during the Cubs’ World Series run was that before every game, Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop would dunk themselves in cologne and then take the field. On the surface, it sounded like a whimsical and eccentric superstition from […]
Author: Ken Schultz
Kenley Jansen: Potential Offseason Target
Position: Closer 2016 Stats: 1.83 ERA, 1.48 FIP, 1.95 DRA, 104/11 K/BB, 2.4 WARP How He Fits: Highlight 2016 Stats. CNTL-C. CNTL-V. Done. Big news, guys. I’ve crunched the numbers, run the simulations, and it turns out that the Cubs can probably find a place for the best relief pitcher in baseball. Kenley Jansen’s statistics […]
Jason Heyward’s Unquestionable Leadership
When it comes to legendary moments in Cubs history, Jason Heyward’s World Series Game 7 speech will go down as the single greatest rain delay performance of all time. This is hardly a controversial position–although I should probably apologize for inspiring the string of profanity just heard by anyone within listening range of Gary Pressy. […]
Second City October: One Third of the Way to a Miracle
Hey look, the 2016 Cubs showed up for the World Series! I am almost as relieved not to be writing a Cubs obituary right now as you are not to be reading one. Apparently the Ricketts have contracted with Miracle Max to open up a stand next to Hot Doug’s because it turns out that […]
Second City October: Cubs Win The Pennant
Tonight, after allowing a one out walk in the top of the ninth inning, Aroldis Chapman threw a fastball that Yasiel Puig bounced to shortstop. And the world changed. The Chicago Cubs are going to the World Series. Usually that’s the kind of sentence that signals “You are about to read a work of fiction.” […]
Second City October: Eff Your Magic
Alright, let’s start by going to back to this bit of wisdom from my recap yesterday: “Before I dive deeper into it, here’s a question: has there ever been a postseason game where the Cubs ended up winning? Like, ever?” So before you go any further, know this: you are most likely reading the words […]
Second City October: Bayside Heartbreak
This piece, written by BP Wrigleyville’s Ken Schultz, forms part of our in-house coverage of the Cubs in the playoffs, “Second City October.” Additional Game Two coverage can be found here. That was definitely a postseason classic. Before I dive deeper into it, here’s a question: has there ever been a classic postseason game where the Cubs ended […]
Grandpa Rossy, Grand to the End
There was no outbreak of fan excitement when David Ross signed with the Cubs. No grand press conference where dozens of cameras flashed as he put on his new uniform for the first time. The Cubs Shop didn’t offer a sale on authentic number 3 jerseys for Christmas of 2014. And even if they had, […]
Game 153 Recap: Cubs 5 Cardinals 0
Let’s go back to a conversation from July 2, 2013… THEO EPSTEIN: Dan! DAN DUQUETTE: Theo! What can I do for you? THEO: We’d love to acquire Jake Arrieta & Pedro Strop. Is there anything you guys are missing for the stretch run? (An uncomfortably long pause) DUQUETTE: …a racist? THEO: Have I got a […]
Ghosts of 2008? Probably Not For These Cubs
One of the most bizarre aspects of being a Cub fan is that the better the team performs during the regular season, the more neurotic we get when we think about October. While the stereotype of Wrigley Field is that of a gigantic frat party, the reality is that postseason Cubs baseball is like watching […]