Last week, 10 of us here at BP Wrigleyville answered the question, “Who or what is the harbinger of Cubs’ offensive success?” Basically, we all honed in on a specific player, explained why he needs to start hitting the damn ball, and how, if he does, the rest of the offense is sure to follow. It […]
Author: Zack Moser
Don’t Fear the Sweeper: Justin Grimm Embracing the Curve
The Cubs’ offense is slowly righting itself thanks to good second-half performances from Dexter Fowler and Addison Russell, coupled with Anthony Rizzo’s recent home-run tear, and the starting pitching is due to find some stability with the addition of Dan Haren, so I’d like to turn an eye to the still-shifting bullpen situation. It’s been […]
Game 104 Recap: Cubs 4, Brewers 3
Top Play (WPA): The Cubs are 10 games over .500 for the first time since their last playoff season in 2008. It’s especially nice to type that only a week after the first no-hitter thrown against the club in nearly half a century, part of an embarrassing sweep at home against the Phillies. The Cubs […]
Game 101 Recap: Cubs 5, Brewers 2
Top Play (WPA): This game looked out of reach early, with Jake Arrieta’s lack of sharpness (and lack of real stirrups) and the Cubs’ general offensive impotence on full display. Luckily, down two runs with two outs in the eighth, hero-of-the-night Anthony Rizzo decided that he would continue to lurch out of his long slump. […]
Game 98 Recap: Cubs 9, Rockies 8
Top Play (WPA): Were I the proactive sort, I would have had to rewrite this section of the recap several times because I would have started early. As it is, I only have to write it once: Kris Bryant, following maybe the most deflating half inning of the season for the Cubs, launched a 1-0 […]
Whiffmas in July: Addison Russell’s Midseason Improvements
Of the Cubs’ hitters, young and old, Addison Russell is the most enigmatic. Kris Bryant has lived up to the on-base portion of his pedigree, if not quite the light-tower power. Jorge Soler’s power has shown up in bursts as well, and he hits the ball harder than almost anyone. Kyle Schwarber—we know what he’s […]
GAME 92 RECAP: CUBS 5, REDS 4
Top Play (WPA): Per “rare Cubs occurrence” sage Christopher Kamka, the last three players Cubs prior to this game who had homered twice in the ninth or later were Ryne Sandberg in The Sandberg Game, Andre Dawson, and Sammy Sosa. Well, let this be The Schwarber Game. Having already launched a moon shot, game-tying home […]
GAME 82 RECAP: Cubs 7, Cardinals 4
Top Play (WPA): What a difference a day makes! After a miserable, soaking wet shutout loss to the Cardinals on Monday, the Cubs feasted on young left-hander Tyler Lyons and the rest of St. Louis’ pitching, drawing eight walks, smacking 12 hits, and generally knocking Lyons and later Randy Choate around the yard. The Cubs have […]
Game 65 Recap: Twin 7 Cubs 2
Top Play (WPA): The Target Field faithful had many opportunities to try out their “Plooouuuuffe” cheer Friday night: Trevor Plouffe collected four RBI on two doubles on the evening. However, the night’s top play resulted in an unearned runs when Plouffe smacked a perfect double play ball to Starlin Castro. Castro booted the ball, allowing Brian Dozier […]
Game 61 Recap: Cubs 2 Reds 1
Top Play (WPA): Starlin Castro donned the newly-minted victory bucket after lacing a game-winning single past Kristopher Negron in left, his second walk-off single in as many nights (.313). The line drive scored Chris Coghlan, who had previously sliced a double that tipped off of Negron’s glove, nearly slipping past him to the wall (.117). Castro […]