It’s a tendency of every fanbase—nothing unique to those on the North Side—to want to cling to every top prospect within the organization, regardless of the potential prize associated with surrendering one or many of them. Even if one could make the argument that it’s a tendency that just happens to be at least slightly […]
Category: Articles
BP Wrigleycast Episode 46: Cubs playing better thanks to Zobrist and Happ
After a one month absence, Ryan and Isaac get together to chat about the recent HAPPenings with the Chicago Cubs. Jake Arrieta’s strong start against Milwaukee is discussed, which leads into more trade discussions about starting pitching. The guys also discuss the hot bats of Ben Zobrist and rookie Ian Happ, and later go into […]
Game 45 Recap: Cubs 5, Giants 4
What You Need To Know: The Cubs continued their series against the Giants tonight. Kyle Hendricks took the mound for Chicago while San Francisco sent Matt Moore to the rubber. Every win is a “needed win,” but tonight’s puts the Cubs within striking distance of first place, as cliches go. Hendricks was shaky through the first […]
A Meditation on the Futility of Trade Speculation
One of the worst parts of being involved in baseball fandom and in a baseball writing community is slogging through trade season—both waves of it, in the doldrums of winter and in the dregs of midsummer. It’s joyless and unfeeling, utterly uninterested in analysis or meaningful dissection. Lustful tweets and posts and comments litter our […]
Kris Bryant’s Hidden Skill
There are so many things that Kris Bryant does well. He hits for power. He hits for average. He can play defense literally anywhere on a baseball field. He runs the bases with ease, both mentally and with sneaky speed. All of these things have culminated in him quickly becoming one of the best players […]
Game 44 Recap: Cubs 4, Giants 1
What You Need To Know: Coming into tonight’s game against Johnny Cueto and the Giants, Cub hitters had hit twelve home runs since the beginning of this current homestand, which began last Tuesday. This figure led the National League during the timeframe, and the Cubs continued their recent torrid home run pace by adding three more […]
Glove Slap, Baby Glove Slap
We all made assumptions about the Cubs this year. And it’s far too early to say any of them are going to turn out to be wrong. A quarter of a baseball season is hardly enough to judge. But we’re all sitting here, with nothing much to do, and I’d rather be writing something than […]
Game 43 Recap: Giants 6, Cubs 4
What You Need to Know: John Lackey was bad; Joe Panik was great. The defense was spectacular, and the Cubs made it interesting, but in the end it wasn’t enough. Next Level: Including the postseason, the Cubs have been 9-1 against the Giants at Wrigley Field in the last two years. As a Giants fan […]
Kyle Schwarber is Actually a Pretty Good Baserunner
Surgically reconstructed knee and all, Kyle Schwarber can still do a lot of things really well. His hitting in 2017 is not yet cause for celebration, and while at times his defense in left field can dazzle us, at others we might be forgiven for wanting to look away. There is one aspect of Schwarber’s […]
Game 42 Recap: Cubs 13, Brewers 6
What You Need to Know: Ben Zobrist led off the ballgame with a homer, and the Cubs never looked back. Jake Arrieta returned to form with a fine performance. Kris Bryant added two home runs—one pulled, one opposite field—and Anthony Rizzo iced the cake with one of his own on the way to a comfortable […]