In retrospect, it’s going to be awfully amusing that Ben Zobrist’s 2018 is mostly going to be remembered for the shoes controversy. Somehow, MLB decided that in a league full of Josh Haders and Roberto Osunas, it was going to make an example out of a player who seemingly exists to answer the question: “What […]
Author: Ken Schultz
Game 106 Recap: Pirates 5, Cubs 4, Replay 0
They say you can learn something new at every baseball game, and that certainly held true tonight. For example, before this evening’s Cubs/Pirates clash, did you know that if TV can’t show an angle that definitely shows Addison Russell was out at third base in the ninth inning, the MLB replay office can just make […]
Game 94 Recap: Cubs 9, Cardinals 6
Before their first game back from the All-Star break, the Cubs announced that Brandon Morrow was returning to the 10 Day Disabled List. Which activated an obscure clause in his two-year deal making him the first player in Major League History to be contractually forbidden from wearing pants. Purely for his health, the Cubs also […]
The Managerial Philosophies Behind the Cubs/Cardinals Freaky Friday Bodyswitch
When Mike Matheny was fired late this past Saturday evening, one of the first thoughts that ran through my mind was this: Now we know what the 2004 Cubs looked like to the rest of the league. Baseball is so much more fun when it’s the other teams dissolving into chaos. The only way this […]
Game 89 Recap: Cubs 2, Giants 0
It was another game where the starting lineup included David Bote at third base and Victor Caratini at first. And even though both have done well, every time a lineup like this gets posted on Twitter, I can’t help but think: The Cubs must have clinched the division yesterday. And they forgot to tell anyone. […]
Game 84 Recap: Cubs 5, Tigers 2
There are many ways to celebrate Independence Day. Reciting the Declaration of Independence. Utterly misreading the lyrics to a Bruce Springsteen song. Or, if you’re Kyle Schwarber, dressing up as the inside of Wayne Messmer’s brain. But for today’s game, the Detroit Tigers were scheduled to start Francisco Liriano. Which meant that the Cubs would […]
Happ, Heyward, and tough defensive choices that shouldn’t be
When Albert Almora Jr. is patrolling center, the Cubs outfield becomes a viscerally exciting thing to watch. Almora and Jason Heyward have made the spectacular happen on such a regular basis that even Jon Lester has told the media that he’s going to stop applauding them for good plays—most likely because he was in danger […]
Game 81 Recap: Cubs 14, Twins 9
The Cubs and Minnesota have met seven times since 1999. And after yesterday’s hot thing resulted in a 10-6 triumph over Jose Raspberríos Beret, the two teams met again to play in the sunshine this afternoon. Today was supposed to mark Yu Darvish’s return from the disabled list in the latest attempt to convince Gordon […]
Game 72 Recap: Reds 6, Cubs 2
Technically, it’s impossible to lose a game if the bottom of the sixth inning never ends. There was a Luke Bryan concert in Cincinnati over the weekend. And based on the condition of the outfield, Bryan has apparently ditched country music in favor of a three hour long cover of “Reign of Blood.” Then the […]
Game 65 Recap: Brewers 1, Cubs 0
Oh good, another one of these. Joe Maddon decided to keep Kris Bryant out of the starting lineup for today’s finale against the Brewers after KB endured an 0-for-15 slump over the past four games. This has been one of Maddon’s favorite methods of lineup management with the idea being that Bryant has more time […]