The Cubs entered Game 4 of the World Series in an unexpected—albeit familiar—position: down 2-1 and desperately needing a slumping offense to awaken. Tonight’s challenge was exacerbated by facing the indomitable Corey Kluber, the former Cy Young winner who shut them down in Game 1. The wind reversed from last night, steadily blowing in and […]
Tag: World Series
Playoff Prospectus: PECOTA Odds and World Series Game 4 Preview
This piece, written by Baseball Prospectus’s Scooter Hotz, forms part of the main site’s comprehensive coverage of the postseason, “Playoff Prospectus”. Despite all the pregame talk of 30-40 mph wind blowing out at Wrigley for Game 3, runs were in short supply Friday night on the north side of Chicago. The only run of the […]
Second City October: A Wrigley Renaissance, And a Tough Loss
Game 3 featured two of the softest-tossing right-handed starters in the game, with Cleveland’s Josh Tomlin (87.8 mph average fastball) and Chicago’s starter Kyle Hendricks (89.9) squaring off in the momentous contest. Game conditions were a classic Wrigley Field experience, with gusting winds between 20-40 mph blowing straight out. The scene was everything you could […]
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 […]
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 […]
Second City October: State of the World Series
The Caray-Carey Series (that’s Harry versus Drew, for those scratching their heads) is knotted at one game apiece, with a pair of games in Cleveland split due to hot bats and hotter starting pitching. The contrast between the two games is nigh impossible to overstate, with the Cubs’ hitters rallying frequently in Game Two after […]
Playoff Prospectus: Cleveland Clunker
This recap, written by Baseball Prospectus’s Meg Rowley, forms part of the main site’s comprehensive coverage of the postseason, “Playoff Prospectus”. Let’s all admit something: Game 2 was a clunker. This game was the first car you have in high school. You’re pleased to have a car, because any car in high school is great, […]
Playoff Prospectus: The Highlight Reel: World Series Game 2
This piece, written by Baseball Prospectus’s Demetrius Bell, forms part of the main site’s comprehensive coverage of the postseason, “Playoff Prospectus”. Two days after going 1-for-3 with a walk against the likes of Tanner Anderson and Montana DuRapau at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, Kyle Schwarber was the center of attention at Progressive Field in […]
BP Wrigleycast Quick Take: Cubs Win a World Series Game, Even Series
BP Wrigleycast is BP Wrigleyville’s in-house podcast, hosted by Isaac Bennett, Ryan Davis, Carlos Portocarrero, and Joel Reese. The latest episode, “Cubs Win a World Series Game, Even Series”, can be found here.
Second City October: Make That An Even Series
A World Series between the two teams with the longest championship droughts comes with enough intrigue before the games start, but add a split set of games in the first two at Progressive Field, and that drama only grows. Last night, the bandage was pulled off quickly when Jon Lester gave up two first inning runs […]