In an oddity of scheduling, both the White Sox and Cubs started the 2016 season on the West Coast. Both clubs had night games scheduled at the same time, 9:05 p.m. local.
The Cubs had generated the national hype in spring training; World Series or Bust.
The White Sox had generated the national scorn with the Adam LaRoche sudden retirement.
Both Chicago teams have something to prove this year. The White Sox were supposed to be great (on paper) last year. This off-season, the team added 3/4 of a new infield and a new veteran presence in the locker room.
The Cubs have to prove that last year's 97 wins from the Maddon Magic Bus was no illusion. The Cubs also added veteran players to the core group.
The Cubs rocked the Angels 9-0 with Jake Arrieta in excellent form. Two holdovers drove in the majority of runs: Montero and Sczcur.
The White Sox also won, 4-3 over the A's (who lost their starting pitcher to pre-game food poisoning) behind a solid outing by starter Chris Sale and the bullpen. Newcomer Jimmy Rollins had an RBI.
All Chicago baseball fans could breathe this morning a sigh of relief. The teams' best pitchers gave the clubs victories.
One line up quirk from each opener:
The Cubs batted Ben Zobrist third. This was done to get three high OBP hitters (Fowler, Heyward and Zobrist) ahead of the big bats of Rizzo, Bryant and Schwarber. That seemed to work last night.
The White Sox put defensively challenged Adam Eaton in RF while putting last year's fielder, Avi Garcia, at DH. Garcia was not the best outfield defender, but Eaton had terrible stats last season. Austin Jackson started in CF and batted 9th.
Showing posts with label next season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label next season. Show all posts
April 5, 2016
July 15, 2015
42
Hawk Harrelson made an observation during the Crosstown.
He said that every team in MLB will win 60 games and lost 60 games. He said the difference between clubs is what they do in the remaining 42 contests.
There is nothing more deflating that poor defense. If a team plays poor defense (can't catch or throw the ball), you are giving your opponent more outs in stead of the normal 27. Nothing demoralizes a pitcher more than bad defense behind him. Jon Lester got a little testy after his last start, but would not name names, saying everyone on the team shares blame (but then admitted that he "only" threw three bad pitches that game.)
A team beats itself (and cuts deeply into those 42 key games) by bad defense. The White Sox played most of the first half in zombie motion. But lately, the defense has picked up, especially turning double plays against the Cubs which equated to winning the series. But Harrelson thought that even with the Sox defense improvement, the team may have burned through too many of their 42 swing games as losses.
In the past few weeks, pitching has been dominating both Cubs and White Sox contests. This puts more premium on defense, which the Cubs did not have at critical times. Now, some may bring out excuses that the young players, including Castro, have played a long first half and may be tired from the daily grind. But this is professional baseball, every player taking the field should be ready to perform. The other excuse on the Cubs side of town is that this team is "over achieving" or a "year ahead of schedule." That may be true from an internal planning stand point, but on the field seven games above .500 and in the second wild card means that the team is in a position to win, if fundamentals hold up in the tough second half.
The White Sox play a large chunk of their second half schedule against the AL Central. If the team has any change to make a wild card run, the Sox will have to beat up on their Central rivals. The Tigers are down with injuries, the Indians do not have the depth, but the Royals play the best defense in the league. There is an unlikely chance that the Sox could have a hot streak since it has four quality starting pitchers who can keep games close.
The Cubs sit in third behind the two best teams in the NL, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The Pirates end the first half on a roll, cutting deep into the Cardinals Central lead. It is unlikely that the Cubs have the depth, especially on the bench, to make a charge past the Pirates. The Cubs won't be able to make much headway against the Cardinals since the teams don't play until September.
It is still possible that both Chicago teams may end the season right around .500.
He said that every team in MLB will win 60 games and lost 60 games. He said the difference between clubs is what they do in the remaining 42 contests.
There is nothing more deflating that poor defense. If a team plays poor defense (can't catch or throw the ball), you are giving your opponent more outs in stead of the normal 27. Nothing demoralizes a pitcher more than bad defense behind him. Jon Lester got a little testy after his last start, but would not name names, saying everyone on the team shares blame (but then admitted that he "only" threw three bad pitches that game.)
A team beats itself (and cuts deeply into those 42 key games) by bad defense. The White Sox played most of the first half in zombie motion. But lately, the defense has picked up, especially turning double plays against the Cubs which equated to winning the series. But Harrelson thought that even with the Sox defense improvement, the team may have burned through too many of their 42 swing games as losses.
In the past few weeks, pitching has been dominating both Cubs and White Sox contests. This puts more premium on defense, which the Cubs did not have at critical times. Now, some may bring out excuses that the young players, including Castro, have played a long first half and may be tired from the daily grind. But this is professional baseball, every player taking the field should be ready to perform. The other excuse on the Cubs side of town is that this team is "over achieving" or a "year ahead of schedule." That may be true from an internal planning stand point, but on the field seven games above .500 and in the second wild card means that the team is in a position to win, if fundamentals hold up in the tough second half.
The White Sox play a large chunk of their second half schedule against the AL Central. If the team has any change to make a wild card run, the Sox will have to beat up on their Central rivals. The Tigers are down with injuries, the Indians do not have the depth, but the Royals play the best defense in the league. There is an unlikely chance that the Sox could have a hot streak since it has four quality starting pitchers who can keep games close.
The Cubs sit in third behind the two best teams in the NL, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The Pirates end the first half on a roll, cutting deep into the Cardinals Central lead. It is unlikely that the Cubs have the depth, especially on the bench, to make a charge past the Pirates. The Cubs won't be able to make much headway against the Cardinals since the teams don't play until September.
It is still possible that both Chicago teams may end the season right around .500.
August 17, 2014
NEXT YEAR
Wait until Next Year.
The wait has been a long, long time.
The wait may almost be over, some say.
Some say, that the Cubs pipeline of prospects will be this century's gold rush.
Some say, that the Cubs are only a few pitchers away from being truly competitive.
Some say, that is what the team says every year.
No one truly knows what the time line for the Plan is, but we can make an educated guess on what the front office and the fans would like to see in 2015:
An infield of the "core" players:
3B: Bryant
SS: Castro
2B: Baez
1B: Rizzo
C: Castillo
An outfield infused with new young players:
CF: Alcantara
RF: Soler
More likely, Bryant will wind up in LF, Baez at 3B, and Alcantara at 2B. That will still leave hole in CF which Almora is supposed to fill by 2017. Or, by 2016, Baez stays at second, with Russell playing third with Alcantara still in CF.
It seems the starting rotation is not going to land an "ace" free agent due to the prohibitive cost and years in such a deal. The plan has been to cut down the payroll, not spend like a drunken sailor.
The rotation seems to be falling into this shape for 2015:
1. Arrieta
2. Hendricks
3. T. Wood
4. E. Jackson
5. Doubront or J. Turner (with the other becoming a long reliever/spot starter).
It is not an overpowering rotation. However, collectively it is fairly cheap.
So despite all the expected roster churn, the 2015 Cubs don't seem to be that much different than the current 2014 club.
The wait has been a long, long time.
The wait may almost be over, some say.
Some say, that the Cubs pipeline of prospects will be this century's gold rush.
Some say, that the Cubs are only a few pitchers away from being truly competitive.
Some say, that is what the team says every year.
No one truly knows what the time line for the Plan is, but we can make an educated guess on what the front office and the fans would like to see in 2015:
An infield of the "core" players:
3B: Bryant
SS: Castro
2B: Baez
1B: Rizzo
C: Castillo
An outfield infused with new young players:
CF: Alcantara
RF: Soler
More likely, Bryant will wind up in LF, Baez at 3B, and Alcantara at 2B. That will still leave hole in CF which Almora is supposed to fill by 2017. Or, by 2016, Baez stays at second, with Russell playing third with Alcantara still in CF.
It seems the starting rotation is not going to land an "ace" free agent due to the prohibitive cost and years in such a deal. The plan has been to cut down the payroll, not spend like a drunken sailor.
The rotation seems to be falling into this shape for 2015:
1. Arrieta
2. Hendricks
3. T. Wood
4. E. Jackson
5. Doubront or J. Turner (with the other becoming a long reliever/spot starter).
It is not an overpowering rotation. However, collectively it is fairly cheap.
So despite all the expected roster churn, the 2015 Cubs don't seem to be that much different than the current 2014 club.
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