Knight of Cubs

It's two years after the title, and the Chicago Cubs are still in first place. Now, granted, it's a lot closer than most people would like, but it's still a definite statistic. There they are, Cubs, first place, above the Brewers and Pirates.

But...I'm not exactly sure how concrete this 1st place status is. For a few reasons:

1. The Brewers, when they have momentum, are deadly. They've snatched first from the Cubs at pivotal moments all throughout the season. They have a ton of healthy players, and a lot more people doing 'WELL', rather than 'okay', than the Cubs. The Brewers do lack the pitching the Cubs have accumulated, but they arguably have the more consistent lineup. And if they get first, they could potentially build a stronghold.
2. The Brewers and Pirates are so close to the Cubs that it just could turn into a game of musical chairs in a week or two.
3. The Pirates lost last night for the first time in twelve games. That is the kind of momentum to be scared of. Things are suddenly clicking- the meek-looking lineup is beginning to take shape, and the back end of the pitching is beginning to come alive. The Pirates, like it or not, may be a playoff contender. And the Cubs may not be able to stop that.

It's a lot that's coming up behind Chicago to try and stop them. And also the Cardinals. Maybe?

The Cubs do have a strong lineup, with a ton of people, like Jason Heyward, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora, and, yes, Addison Russell, playing their hearts out. The pitching's improved greatly, with Mike Montgomery becoming a steady fifth, Jon Lester back on top, and Tyler Chatwood keeping things relatively constant. Jesse Chavez has been a great bullpen addition, and I'm guessing there will be at least one more high-profile acquisition soon.

The Cubs are in pretty good shape. I don't know if they'll keep the lead in the next week or so, but they're perfectly capable of regaining it.

Coming Tomorrow- Power hitter for the World Champs. Though, that could be half the team.

Will You All Just Calm Down About the Cubs?

To quote Peter Venkman, "you're scaring the straights."

Will you all just...stoppit with the 'THE CUBS ARE IN THIRD PLACE SO THAT MEANS THEY SPONTANEOUSLY SUCK' torture porn that's been going 'round the webs? Frankly, it's getting me worried. I'm starting to believe it.

I understand that it's a news outlet's prime directive to immediately trumpet out 'DOES THIS PERSON/TEAM SUCK NOW?' at the first, slightest sign of decay. Hell, they're probably all gonna do 'ARE THE YANKEES SUCKING AGAIN?' right after this series with Kansas City wraps up. Because God forbid a surging team loses games to a worse-off one. That NEVER happens.

(...that last bit was sarcasm. I just wanted to make sure you all knew that.)

But with the whole 'THE CUBS SUCK NOW' business, which is been popping up ever since they've wound up in third place, behind the Cardinals and Brewers, after a recent skid...it's not even close to valid, guys. You can't let a week tell you whether or not a team sucks. The Cubs had a rough week, and they're just now beginning to win again. If they fall under .500, and I mean WELL UNDER .500, like PHILLIES levels of under .500...then, by all means, post those 'the Cubs suck' articles however you want. Just throwing them all out now, as they're rebuilding, gives them even more work, as they have the pressure of the news outlets telling the country how bad they are.

The Cubs are just getting over the hump, thanks to some new elements, like the addition of a surprisingly rejuvenated Eddie Butler as the 5th starter, as well as hard-hitting rookie Ian Happ entering the fold, and the pitching beginning to find footing. They should be fine to catch up to St. Louis (who, again, don't really deserve 1st place), and hopefully this whole mess will sort itself out.

Coming Tonight: Undeniably the best team in baseball, and undeniably the most fun-to-watch team in baseball...featuring their standout outfield bat.

Ballot Stuffing That I Am Surprisingly Okay With

In years past, there have been a couple of different methods, by various growing fan bases of teams, to get as many starters for that team onto the All Star team, regardless of whether or not they deserve it that year. For St. Louis fans, this is almost routine.

In 2011, the Giants fans were responsible for most of the ballot-stuffing, as Pablo Sandoval (I believe) wound up replacing a much-deserving David Wright at third. This also was happening last season, as ALL OF MISSOURI was voting their players to starting positions, including people like Omar Infante and Jhonny Peralta who hardly even deserved them. It took tons of re-voting to get Mike Moustakas off of the starting third, and getting Josh Donaldson where he rightly belonged. It was easier for Matt Holliday, as he was injured by ASG time last year.

So, with a week left to go before voting closes, it's the right time to report on another case of ballot stuffing by unified fans. However...this time it's one I'm okay with.

Not because I like the Cubs- even though I do like the Cubs, it's not my main reasoning. No...this is much better reasoning- all four infielders that are being voted into starting positions, by all of Chicago, RIGHTFULLY DESERVE those infield spots.

Unlike years where maybe Moustakas isn't the best third baseman in baseball, or maybe David Wright deserves it over Panda, this year...it makes sense. Anthony Rizzo's the best at first. Ben Zobrist's the best at second. Kris Bryant's the best at third.

The only real stretch this year is Addison Russell at shortstop. I wouldn't have originally thought him the best shortstop in the league this year, but...then I looked at who he was up against...and I realized that there wasn't a TON of competition.

Trevor Story could be an option, but he's cooled down so much since April. Brandon Crawford's great, but he's more 'reserve infielder' material than starter material, as is Aledmys Diaz. So...really, Addison Russell, even as the Rey Ordonez of this infield arrangement, is still the best choice at shortstop for the NL. And BELIEVE ME...I tried figuring out a different arrangement. I tried troubleshooting. Corey Seager, as good as he is this season, doesn't even deserve the starting job.

I tried to find an equation in which these four guys DIDN'T make sense as the starting infield for the NL All Star team, and other than one of two options that would be good enough replacements...I still felt the all-Cubs one was the best, regardless of ballot-stuffing or anything. The All-Star game should be the best of both leagues playing each other...and it fits, in this situation.

Coming Tomorrow- His brother's heating up the NL West, so his only option is to heat up the AL West. And, as his team is a little better this year, that's marginally easier for him.

Custom Card of the Day: Russell Edition

I feel like the biggest stories out of Chicago this year are gonna be about the rookies. Between Addison Russell, Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, and even Carlos Rodon on the South Side, both Chicago teams are trying to capitalize on their farm systems, and the fact that their current rosters leave a lot to be desired, in order to improve their numbers.

So far, for the Cubs, it's working...slightly. I mean, the Cardinals are still on top, but we knew that was gonna happen. They're the Cardinals. If they have a shitty roster, then it can mean only one thing: we've magically traveled back to 1996. And trust me, I do NOT wanna learn the goddamned Macarena again.

(Sidenote- literally just found out that Wainwright might be out for the rest of the season, and that legitimately blows, because he's a great player, and because I kind of thought we were over the 'Wainwright gets injured and misses the season' hump.)

The Cubs are still in second place, which is not bad, even if the Pirates are basically right behind them. The Cubs have managed to use their youth movement to improve the overall heart of the team, and to take some much needed power waiting in the wings and USE IT. Addison Russell and Kris Byrant are working really well for them because they were both READY. Javier Baez may not have been ready last year, which is why he's back in the minors. Jorge Soler was ready last year, which is why he's mashing the hell out of the ball now.

The only weird thing is that Chris Coghlan has the most home runs out of everybody. I would not have called that.

But yeah, I like Addison Russell, and I like the Cubs, and hopefully they'll keep powering through and stay a powerful presence in the NL for a while.

Coming Tonight: A few years ago this guy was Public Enemy #1 here on Mint Condition. Now...he's still pretty nasty, but I don't hate him as much.