Real baseball that actually counts is back! The guys discuss what (if anything) has changed now that a World Series titled has been accomplished. Then they discuss some quick hits from the early season. From Heyward’s bat to Almora’s glove, there are some early signs that everything is going to be OK. Tommy Birch joins […]
Category: Articles
Game 7 Recap: Cubs 3 Dodgers 2
What You Need To Know: Despite a nearly two hour rain delay (fitting for team that had a rain delay play such a prominent role in it’s championship run), for the first time since 1909 the Cubs raised a World Series banner. If we’re going to be technical, the Cubs actually raised four banners, one each […]
The Case for Shifting Behind Brett Anderson
In 2016, teams employed a defensive shift more than ever before. Across the majors, teams shifted 28,072 times. The Cubs, whose defense maintained a historically good BABIP, shifted the least with just 603 batters faced with some sort of defensive shift in place. The Cubs appear to be one step ahead against the rest of […]
Game 6 Recap: Cubs 7, Brewers 4
What You Need To Know: We’re going to have a lot of discussion over what submission move to name the Cubs’ offense after (or at least us wrestling dorks will). Coquina Clutch? Hell’s Gate? Figure Four? Sharp-shooter? The Cubs ground Zach Davies into a fine paste in the first inning, as Schwarber and Bryant singled on […]
Dylan Cease Opens Up 2017 with a Solid Outing
Heading into South Bend’s home opener vs. West Michigan, I was looking forward to seeing Dylan Cease pitch for the South Bend Cubs. I wanted to see how much he improved since last September, when he was a member of the Northwest League champion Eugene Emeralds. Although Cease is known for throwing up to 100 […]
Game 5 Recap: Cubs 11, Brewers 6
What you need to know: A blah start from Kyle Hendricks is made irrelevant by an explosive Cubs offensive performance. Kris Bryant leads the way, going 3-for-5 with two doubles. Next level: The Cubs’ homer drought continues—coming into the game they’d hit two home runs on the year, and that…is…still true. You can’t blame the […]
Kyle Hendricks is the Perfect Fifth Starter
I remember it like it was yesterday. The quiet stoicism obvious to anyone watching the game. No pumping fists or screams into a glove after each inning. No argument with the manager when was pulled. Just a slow walk off the mound as Kyle Hendricks was done for the night. He had only pitched seven […]
Game 4 Recap: Brewers 2, Cubs 1
What you need to know: The Cubs took an early lead thanks to Ben Zobrist’s first home run of the season in the top of the second inning off Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson. Brett Anderson held the lead down nicely through five innings in his first Cubs start, before a wild pitch and opposite field […]
Theo, Fortune Magazine, and Good Fortune
Like many of you, my offseason is not complete until I pick up my number one source for sophisticated baseball analysis and accurate season predictions: Fortune Magazine. So it was with no small amount of enthusiasm that I received this year’s Fortune Baseball Preview and saw Theo Epstein’s face gracing the cover. I quickly sped […]
Game 3 Recap: Cubs 6 Cardinals 4
What you need to know: For much of the day it looked like the Cardinals were in control of this game and going to take the opening series of 2017 from the Cubs. Fortunately for Chicago, Kyle Schwarber saved the day by hitting a three run home run off of new Cardinal Brent Cecil in the […]