It’s extremely difficult to think of a player who has the ability to change the game on a dime in the way that Javier Baez can. In the past few weeks, the injury to Addison Russell has seen the door open to an everyday role for Baez, with the impact being felt at the plate, […]
Category: Articles
Jose Albertos Building on the Promise of His Four Inning Debut
In 2016, pitcher Jose Albertos, then 17, seemed to appear out of nowhere to shoot up several prospect lists. Like an apparition, just as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared. After making his only start of the year in Mesa, Albertos was shelved after just 4.1 innings and 7 Ks. But in that limited time […]
Game 126 Recap: Reds 4, Cubs 2
What You Need to Know: Good Jake Arrieta showed up once again, falling just one out short of tallying an eighth consecutive quality start, but the righty struck out eight and allowed only a run over 5 ⅔ innings. An early solo shot by Ian Happ and a timely Javier Baez single put the Cubs […]
The Surprisingly Elite Alex Avila
One member of the Cubs lineup was the best hitter at his position in the entire league in the first half of the season. It wasn’t Kris Bryant, although he was close to the top: Justin Turner, Jose Ramirez and Anthony Rendon have all been very good. It wasn’t Anthony Rizzo, who didn’t even crack […]
Game 125 Recap: Cubs 9, Reds 3
What You Need to Know The Cubs jumped out early and never looked back. Mike Montgomery threw six shutout innings, Anthony Rizzo stayed hot, and Javier Baez fulfilled his one-amazing-play-a-game quota. Next Level The outcome of this game should not have been surprising. Of course, the Cubs demolished the Reds in a late August game. […]
Game 124 Recap: Cubs 13, Reds 9
What You Need To Know: Early on, it seemed the story of tonight would be Billy Hamilton and the Reds rendering the Cubs helpless. Hamilton led off the first with a single and then came around to score the game’s first run. In the third, he robbed Kris Bryant of a hit and the Cubs’ […]
Jake Arrieta: Great Again?
Last Friday, Jake Arrieta rode an effective “slutter” to another quality start, lowering his ERA to 3.63, and earning a victory over the visiting Blue Jays. His six strikeouts, two walks, six hits allowed, and one run allowed over 6 ⅔ innings lengthened a solid streak of quality starts to seven games, and he is […]
Finally, The Debate Comes Into The Light
Fans for a few years now have been debating bringing automated strike zones, or robot umps, or whatever you want to call it. But it feels like after the egregiously, hilariously bad call on Ben Zobrist last Saturday night it feels like for the first time the debate has come to baseball itself. Players and managers […]
Breaking Down the September Call-Up Options
September 1st is just a few weeks away, and that means the Cubs will have the opportunity to bolster their roster with some help from the minor leagues. Here is a quick breakdown of the potential guys the Cubs could bring up and the likelihood of their call-up. The Spot Start Options Eddie Butler, RHP We’ve […]
Game 123 Recap: Cubs 6, Blue Jays 5
What You Need To Know: This game had a strikeout/fielder’s choice in it. That basically sums it up. I’ve never seen that called before. It’s like they declined the strikeout. Like it was defensive holding or something. That’s how strange the last inning got, and that was the overall theme of the game (and probably season, […]