When the Cubs acquired Miguel Montero in December 2014, I was higher on the move than most. I had even written an article encouraging precisely that course of action, a few weeks beforehand. I pointed to Montero’s phenomenal numbers as a pitch framer, but also to the fact that the Diamondbacks had overused him, contributing […]
Tag: Hitting
Getting Deep, Going Deeper
I’m a historian by trade—or, more correctly, by bachelor’s degree. Before I started writing for BP Wrigleyville, I was much more likely to pump out 3,000 footnoted words on Andre Dawson and collusion than an accessible analysis of Addison Russell’s changed approach at the plate. Given that background, I have a natural tendency to revisit things […]
Schwarber and the High Heat
Sometimes you just need to take a moment and admire your own work. It’s something Kyle Schwarber has been known to do early in his career, and he did so on Tuesday night when he watched his two-run shot in the seventh inning leave the yard as he gave his team a 5-4 lead. “It’s […]
Wearing ‘Em Down: Cubs’ Hitters Are Really Good at Running Up the Count
In my recap of last Tuesday’s satisfying win over Zack Greinke and the Dodgers, I noted that the victory was, among other things: as good a model as any for the template the Cubs have used all season long to beat good pitchers: run up their pitch counts, and get them out of the game. Greinke […]