I have to stop hanging out with Joel Reese. In case you’re not familiar with our little podcast, it’s called BP Wrigleycast and it features Ryan Davis, Isaac Bennett, Joel Reese, and myself. Ryan makes solid arguments that run counter to many popular opinions. Isaac has strong views on developing players and is right more […]
Category: Articles
Game 157 Recap: Cubs 6 Pirates 4
Meaningless September games don’t exactly feel that way when it’s the bottom of the ninth, the bases are loaded, card-carrying Designated Cubs Agitator Sean Rodriguez is at the plate, and you’re Félix Peña, looking for your first major-league save with a shaky two-run lead and a deserted bullpen. What this contest lacked earlier in substantive drama, […]
Despite Perception, Miguel Montero Is the Cubs’ Best Option At Catcher
On Friday, Jake Arrieta delivered a seven-inning, no-run, ten-strikeout, one-walk, 99-pitch performance against the Cardinals. Over the last two years, we have become accustomed to this type of performance from Arrieta, and so, with the playoff implications of the game more theoretical than anything else, we glossed over it a bit and focused more on […]
Playoff Particulars: Matt Szczur vs. Albert Almora
The season is winding down and the Cubs have clinched not only the Division, but also the top seed in the National League. All that’s left to do now is to prepare for the playoffs, and that includes trying to decide who is the best fit on the playoff roster. Most of the spots have […]
Game 156 Recap: Cubs 12 Pirates 2
At the beginning of the season, it seemed the Pittsburgh Pirates would be one of the three thoroughbreds competing with the Cubs and Cardinals in the NL Central horse race. It only made sense: this team posted 98 wins in 2015, and they still had studs like MVP Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gerrit Cole. […]
Dexter Fowler, Near Close of Second Chicago Season, Remains Irreplaceable
You go, we go. That’s the phrase Cubs manager Joe Maddon famously applies to his leadoff hitter, center fielder Dexter Fowler. It means that when Fowler is going well, the Cubs are usually going well too. Of course, it’s very simplistic to whittle something as complex as a 25-man baseball team down to the success of one […]
Series Preview: Cubs vs. Pirates, September 26-29
This preview was jointly written by Zack Moser and Nate Greabe. (Zack) If I were to tell you that the Cubs were merely playing out the string in their final series versus the Cardinals, Pirates, and Reds, you would be forgiven for thinking that something had gone horribly wrong. As it is, the Cubs’ weekend […]
Game 155 Recap: Cubs 3 Cardinals 1
The Cubs defeated the Cardinals for (possibly) the final time in 2016, and it was a memorable night at Wrigley, for the Cubs, for Major League Baseball, and for one particular backup catcher. The joy on the North Side on Sunday night helped salve the acute melancholy of the day, as news of José Fernández’s […]
Game 154 Recap: Cardinals 10 Cubs 4
This game is what Cubs fans fear in a potential Divisional Series rematch this year. The Cardinals cardinaled Jason Hammel in the first inning to take a four-run lead in the first inning with (maybe) two hard hit balls. That was a lead they never relinquished. The Cards added on against Hammel in the second […]
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 […]