At this point, all of us are aware of the ironclad rule of Cubs history: nothing that happens today is so bad that it can’t be compared to something worse from the past. The media that follows the team reminds us of this constantly. And one of the consequences of Kyle Schwarber’s injury is that […]
Author: Ken Schultz
Epstein Finds Advantage in Honesty
Ever since the release of Moneyball, one of the most popular buzzwords in major league baseball has been “market inefficiency.” For over a decade, fans and analysts have been captivated by the endless quest to identify teambuilding trends that everyone else in MLB is missing. Unfortunately, for most of that time, the Cubs lagged behind the […]
The Benefits of Bryzzo: Kris’s Contact
For the better part of the past year, the Cubs have been playing up the friendship between Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant to the fullest extent possible. In the team’s eyes, the two of them are not just All Star-caliber teammates, but also the key players in MLB’s most compelling bromance. They have become “Bryzzo,” a name […]
Rethinking “The Sandberg Game”
At some point during every day of his life, Ryne Sandberg is asked by fans or the media about June 23, 1984. And invariably, the conversation goes something like this: RADIO GUY: Hey Ryno, remember that game where you hit the two homers off Bruce Sutter? SANDBERG: Yes. (Uncomfortably long awkward pause) RADIO GUY: That […]
Maybe Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward Should Bat Sixth
INTERIOR of Dexter Fowler’s living room. Fowler is on the speaker phone with his agent. CASEY CLOSE So it looks like 3 years, 33 million is the best Angelos is gonna do. DEXTER FOWLER I guess that’s what I’ll have to go with. There aren’t any other offers? CASEY CLOSE None that I’m aware of … […]
Re-Examining One Particular Thing About Dusty Baker
The 2016 season looms as one of the most anticipated years in Cubs history. Rarely has this fanbase ever gone into spring training with more legitimate excitement and hope. However, 2016 also marks the return of Dusty Baker to the managerial ranks. As if to remind us that sometimes, hope is dumb, and it hurts us. Of […]
Nietzsche and A New Hope
To say I’m thrilled to contribute to BP Wrigleyville this season is a massive understatement. And in honor of my new position and to establish my sabermetric bona fides, I’d like to share with you the chart I pitched to Rian that got me the job… KRIS BRYANT, 2015 WRC+ Is This Good? 136 Yes […]