The Cubs have three middle infielders for two positions. Addison Russell is planted at shortstop so that leaves Starlin Castro and Javier Baez for 2nd base. There are other possible scenarios. Baez or Castro could move to centerfield if the Cubs don’t re-sign Dexter Fowler or add another CF via free agency or trade. Neither have played there, but there’s …
Castro: Ramirez Called Me After Benching
Despite the fact that many Cubs fans (and mustachioed commentators) love to hate Starlin Castro in the same, definitely-not-racist-at-all way they hated Aramis Ramirez, they're two of my favorite players. So I got a little emotional when I read that Aramis reached out to encourage Starlin after his demotion to the very deep Chicago Cubs bench. I love what Ramirez …
Miguel Montero predicts Cubs will win World Series
Apparently Miguel Montero has already predicted the Cubs will win the World Series. Cubs.com published their 5 reasons the Cubs will win the World Series post today and one of the reasons is this: Catcher Miguel Montero already has predicted Starlin Castro will be the MVP of the postseason, and it would be quite a turnaround. Castro was batting .236 when Maddon took him …
Addison Russell vs. 2010 Starlin Castro
In 130 game and 486 plate appearances, rookie Addison Russell has hit .238/.301/.389. His wOBA is .302 and his wRC+ sits at 88. As a 21 year old who is now firmly planted at shortstop, those are some pretty good numbers. As a Major League hitter, they're below average, but the age and position matter a lot. He's hit 13 …
Where We Stand Now
Following last night’s 6-0 loss to the Indians, the Cubs are a solid 34-28, but are 8 games behind the Cardinals who have hacked their way to baseball’s best 43-21 record. The Pirates are in 2nd place and after winning 6 in a row are a couple of games ahead of the Cubs. The Cubs remain 5th in the NL, …
Cubes 2, Barves 5 (5/12/14)
Did The Cubs Win? OSS: Cubes strikeout 14 times, and put Russell into the game. Three Up 1. Starlin Castro went 2-4 with a double and a strikeout. 2. Nate Schierholtz walked and doubled in 2 runs. 3. Anthony Rizzo is good, even when he isn’t that good. He went 1-3 with a walk, but still saw 23 pitches, which …
Cardinals 5, Cubs 4 (5/5/14)
Did The Cubs Win? OSS: Yadier Molina owned the Cubs again off of a fluky single in the 9th, and Rizzo was the zero, not the hero. Three Up 1. The Valbuena/Olt battle is just about wrapped up at this point. Luis Luis walked, doubled and tripled. If the battle is between a guy who plays good defense and can …
Cubs 9, Reds 4 (5/1/14)
Did The Cubs Win? OSS: A to the Rizzo dominates Cingrani/Christiani, and Cubs tee off on fastball guys. Three Up 1. Couldn’t be anyone but Rizzo, who walked 4 times and hit a 2-run homer in the 1st inning. His WPA for yesterday’s game was a stout .298. 2. Starlin Castro had almost as good of a game. He went …
Cubs 4, Brewers 0 (4/28/14)
Did the Cubs Win? OSS: The Cubs play their most complete game of the season against the “best” team in baseball. Three Up 1. Jason Hammel was absolutely sublime all game. It seemed like he had the best control of his pitches out of any Cub in the past 3 years – especially the low outside corner against righties. Hammel …
Cubs 5, Diamondbacks 7 (4/24/14)
Did The Cubs Win? OSS: Cubs celebrate 100 years of Wrigley Field in fitting fashion. Three Up 1. Jeff Samardzija was brilliant (again). He deserved to win (again). He didn’t win (again). 2. Hector Rondon has to be the best Rule 5 pick of the past 5 years, right? A short reflection of the past Rule 5 drafts: 2013: too …