USATSI_10342492_168382903_lowres

What the Heck Is Going On: A Quick Look Ahead at the NLCS

Whew. If you’re reading this, the Cubs (somehow, barely, and very questionably) did what they needed to do against a great, great Nationals team after a great, great series. And now it’s Friday, and we’re all guzzling coffee, rubbing our eyes, and wondering what’s next. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, once again the Cubs’ NLCS […]

USATSI_9633728_168382903_lowres

Second City November: World Series Game Six Preview, Cubs (2-3) at Cleveland (3-2)

Second City November. For all that a Cubs World Series provokes a constant parade of precious, sepia-toned comparisons to the world as it was in years of past glory, baseball this late in the calendar year is entirely without parallel for the Cubs as a franchise. Perhaps you haven’t heard, but back in 1908, we hadn’t yet invented […]

USATSI_9641439_168382903_lowres

Second City October: World Series Game Five Preview, Cleveland (3-1) at Cubs (1-3)

Here, almost as succinctly as I can put it, is everything we know about Game Five: It will be October 30th, the latest in the year the Cubs have played a game in franchise history. Jon Lester will start against Trevor Bauer, so the Cubs will once again have the advantage in the pitching matchup, playoff […]

USATSI_9632669_168382903_lowres

Playoff Prospectus: PECOTA Odds and World Series Game 5 Preview

This piece, written by Baseball Prospectus’s Editor-in-Chief Aaron Gleeman, forms part of the main site’s comprehensive coverage of the postseason, “Playoff Prospectus”. One night after Corey Kluber and the rest of the Cleveland squad put them on the brink of elimination, the Cubs turn to their own playoff-tested ace, Jon Lester, to keep their season alive […]

USATSI_9635794_168382903_lowres

Second City October: World Series Game Three Preview, Cleveland (1-1) at Cubs (1-1)

The Wrigleyville neighborhood has long been known for its restraint and overall calm demeanor on the Friday night of Halloween weekend. So, really, why should we expect any different for Game Three of the World Series? The Cubs averaged eights run a game during the final three games of the NLCS, and after failing to cash […]

USATSI_9635896_168382903_lowres

Playoff Prospectus: PECOTA Odds and World Series Game 3 Preview

This preview, written by Baseball Prospectus’s Editor-in-Chief Aaron Gleeman, forms part of the main site’s comprehensive coverage of the postseason, “Playoff Prospectus”. For the first time since October 10, 1945–when Hall of Famers Hank Greenberg and Hal Newhouser blew out the Cubs in the deciding seventh game–Wrigley Field will be home to a World Series […]

USATSI_9632233_168382903_lowres

Playoff Prospectus: PECOTA Odds and World Series Game 2 Preview

This preview, written by Baseball Prospectus’s Mike Gianella, forms part of the main site’s comprehensive coverage of the postseason, “Playoff Prospectus”. Cleveland took Game 1, shutting out Chicago behind Corey Kluber, Andrew Miller, and Cody Allen. Now the Cubs try to even it up tonight at Progressive Field in Game 2. Chicago Cubs (Jake Arrieta) […]

USATSI_9252907_168382903_lowres

Second City October: World Series Game One Preview, Cubs (0-0) vs. Cleveland (0-0)

This piece, by BP Wrigleyville’s Cat Garcia, forms part of our in-house coverage of the playoffs, “Second City October”. More Game One coverage can be found here. Well, this is it. It’s the moment that almost everyone, and I do mean everyone in the city of Chicago, around the country, and even around the world […]