Uncustomed Heroes of 2020: Cubs (Part One)

The 2020 Cubs. They finish the season well over .500, yet lose in the playoffs to the Miami Marlins. Either 2003 was coming back to haunt them or the baseball gods have a morbid sense of humor.

The Cubs, as they were, this year were pretty good, if missing a bit of the pop that made them a true contender in the past. Kris Bryant was there for the better part of the season, but unlike Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward, he didn't exactly deliver a throwback to his mid-2010s stats. Bryant bat .206 in 34 games, with 27 hits, 11 RBIs and 4 home runs. 

2021 Prediction: The Cubs have openly talked about trading Bryant, so if he does have a comeback year, it probably will not be with the Cubs.

Another sign that the core of the 2016 team is dissipating is the final year in Jon Lester's contract. Lester had another age-saddled year, with a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts, and only 42 strikeouts. For a Cubs tenure that started so strongly in 2015, it's sad that it ended with this sort of whimper.

2021 Prediction: A team takes a chance on him for a one-year victory lap and he actually delivers some solid starts in what I can only imagine will be his final season.

Kyle Schwarber doesn't change. Once again, he didn't hit for average, but still had 24 RBIs and 11 home runs, which was enough to boost this team at the plate. I think the Cubs sort of resigned themselves to the fact that this is what he does, and at least he's good at it.

2021 Prediction: 30 homers, .200 average. Just...not for the Cubs, it seems.

I think one of the coolest surprises for the Cubs this year was Alec Mills, the unlikely major leaguer who took some starts last year into a starting rotation gig in 2020, culminating in a 5-5 ERA and a 4.48 ERA in 11 starts. Of course, his biggest game of the year was that no-hitter, a tremendous moment for the easily likable unsung hero.

2021 Prediction: I don't think Mills will spend the entire season as a starter, but I reckon he will do something heroic in the postseason.

I think David Bote has lost his novelty and is just another decent Cub. No longer the walk-off bench guy from 2018, just...David Bote, off the bench. He spent most of the year backing up Kris Bryant at third, and did fairly well, hitting a club-leading 29 RBIs and 7 home runs, while only hitting .200. He's not bad, and if he has to start at third next year, he'll certainly do.

2021 Prediction: Makes a breakthrough as the starting third baseman, cements his status as a core Cub.

Another nice surprise this season was Jason Kipnis, who was barely predicted to make camp. Kipnis took his minor league deal as a route to become the Cubs' starting second baseman, and despite not being as spry in the infield as he was, he still had something of a comeback year. His 0.6 WAR eluded to strong number at the plate and in the field, as well as being a strong clubhouse presence.

2021 Prediction: Another one-year deal, possibly with less starting lineup success, but he'll have decent bench numbers.

The official DH in Chicago this season, despite making several starts behind the plate, was Victor Caratini. Caratini did, thusly, have kind of a one-dimensional year, with a .241 average, 16 RBIs and 28 hits. He's still a big part of this team, but the DH rule did illuminate how hollow Caratini's stats can be, arguably.

2021 Prediction: His skills at backup catcher will be needed once Contreras either gets injured or traded. 

Later tonight, the remaining Cubs customs, all non-Opening Day lineup/starting rotation players

Playoffs Day 5: Finalization and Infuriation

So...I predicted that the Astros would take down the Indians this week, but I wasn't exactly expecting a rout. And I certainly didn't think it'd be a three-game sweep where the Indians would only be held to a couple runs. It honestly just proves the dangerousness of this Astros team, who, even with some lineup shuffling and with Dallas Keuchel starting, still managed to pull away. They're getting home field advantage, and waiting for an ALCS matchup with whoever wins the AL East battle.

I do feel bad for this guy, and this Indians team, as they've gotten so close to winning a World Series as of late, and have had shitty mistakes keep them from greatness. It's sad to see them get so close only for them to break hearts, but I do think they'll still be around to chase a pennant next year, and I do still think that core of the lineup, and that rotation, still has a ton of promise.

...Now, normally when this guy appears in the postseason, I get very frightened, maybe take out a little wooden cross or something. But now that David Freese is playing for a team that isn't the Cardinals, and that he's doing pretty well, he's beginning to grow on me. It also helps that this Dodgers team has been so consistently sharp this postseason, nudging the Braves out even after their Game 3. I'll be looking forward to how they match up against Milwaukee in the NLCS.

Meanwhile, these guys had an unlucky go at the playoffs yet again, despite some fantastic regular season work from all parts. I honestly don't think they're out of it yet, and that they really just needed to solidify some things in order to become a truly great team. They may be back, which...may be infuriating for Philly fans.

Meanwhile...since I don't have a Holt made up, I'll post Nunez, but...dear god, that game was depressing to watch. They just kept hammering at the poor Yankee pitching staff. It just got worse and worse, and they just kept finding holes in the Yankee defense. I turned it off at about the 6th inning. There's no doubt that this is a terrific team (now), but I just wish the Yankees put up a bit more of a fight against them tonight. The first two games were kinda close, and I miss that.

We've got a game tonight at home. I really, really hope this one goes well. It's our last chance to prove that we belong in the postseason, and I'd really like to prove something positive.

Playoffs Update: Triumph and Standstill

I don't know how we did it, but...we did it. The Yankees are heading to an ALCS that was, to be honest, reserved for the Indians. We pulled it off in five games, chasing the most dangerous lineup in baseball, and hitting off of a guy who might win his 2nd Cy Young this year. Even better, as they got weaker, we got stronger- Didi Gregorius got even better, CC Sabathia improved, and Aroldis Chapman FINALLY earned his place as a Yankee closer.

Still, we do have to pay respects to the departed.

I thought the Indians had it this year. I legitimately thought the Series was theirs to win. And the ironic part is that it was my own team that illuminated their biggest flaws. They had an amazing year, with several star players and even more of a foundation for 2018.

Still, a Yankees-Astros ALCS. That has a nice ring to it.

Meanwhile...

How about THIS GUY finally becoming a terrific postseason pitcher??

Stephen Strasburg singlehandedly saved his team, with an amazing performance, completely stopping the Cubs from taking the series and forcing a Game 5, back in Washington. The series is getting more and more even, but tonight's game could be an indicator that it may not be as similar as the Cubs thought.

Interesting to see how it rolls out in Game 5.

Fire When Ready

I should probably restate the fact that I go to college in New York, in the Westchester area. It's an arts school, and there's not a lot of sports presence, so I can wear my menagerie of hats, and Philly sports jerseys, and nobody really bats an eye.

Tonight, I was returning my girlfriend to her apartment after a night in, spent watching the timeless classic Shaun of the Dead. And there was a Halloween party going on downstairs from my apartment, which I wasn't planning on attending (as I was kind of tired). As I was coming down the stairs, a few people saw my Cubs cap, and immediately, even in their semi-drunken state, offered me condolences. One of them even offered me a beer. At this point, I knew the Cubs were losING, not that they'd lost.

And sure enough, by the time I returned home I had to step through the pack of people. One of them patted me on the back, saying "I owe you one".

I turned to him, sort of smirking, and gave the traditional Cub fan optimism: "Game 5 we're gonna kill it." Since I was 100% sober, I did my absolute best to act like I was even the slightest bit tipsy, which worked.

He brought up Corey Kluber, and the fact that he's been unhittable in two games. And yes, he was right. After this postseason, Kluber will go from a one-year fluke to one of the most consistent strikeout pitchers in baseball, and someone who's essentially the next Bert Blyleven.

I rebutted with "next game they play Trevor Bauer, and they could hit about 50 home runs off of him". Which, to my credit, the guy agreed with. We settled on the fact that he felt sorry for me, but, as a Mets fan, he felt my pain. And I entered my apartment and wished him a good night.

I don't get a lot of good sports conversations where I'm at, and most of them involve me having to defend not only Philadelphia sports teams, but Philadelphia sports FANS, but the one I had tonight was a good one. I came to terms with the morality of the team I was rooting for, and the fact that, with my blind faith in the team despite the most hostile of outlooks, I had become a true Cubs fan, despite growing up in New Jersey.

Tonight, the Indians took hold, as I only assumed they would, homering John Lackey, as well as the relief crew, and giving Corey Kluber some more creds for his inevitable World Series MVP trophy. Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana had the offensive highlights, and Terry Francona remained an evil genius in the postseason. They're one game away from winning the World Series, which is pretty crazy, but sad considering that the Cubs would have to lose.

Still...all it takes is one game for everything to turn around. Could Game 5 be that game? Only one way to find out.

The Indians are in First Place! (Shock! Horror!)

Before the start of the season, the general consensus was that the Royals would take a strong hold on the division. Then, as the season progressed, it looked like the White Sox would end up locking up the division.

Right now, both of those teams are doing relatively well....but neither are in first. Because the Indians are atop the division right now.

...bet ya didn't see that one coming.

It's generally easily explained- the Indians have been sitting at second or third for most of the season, right behind the team in command of the division. And then, when the White Sox fell to third, they went to second. So, all it took was a huge hit to the Royals lead...which was supplied, of course, by the Indians, as part of a three-game-sweep of the Royals.

And just like that, a team that didn't look any more impressive than it did last year...has somehow landed in first place.

I know my tone has been pessimistic so far, but I absolutely love that this is happening. The Indians, of late, have been a very underdog-y team, and the fact that they've finally broken out of fourth is fantastic. People like Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez are playing pretty damn well, and the pitching staff, especially Danny Salazar and Corey Kluber, are impressing. Even if they're up at first due to some Royal slumpage, they deserve to be there because of their talent, and because of how far they've come.

I have no idea how long this is going to last, and going forward this could be a blip on the radar...but I know a fun baseball story when I see one, and I SOOOOO BADLY want this to keep going for a while.

Coming Today: One of the many strong pitchers of the Generally Blah St. Louis Cardinals

Custom Card of the Day: Kipnis Edition

Looks like the Indians picked the right week to gain momentum.

In the past week, both the Twins and the Tigers have slipped at 2nd and 3rd place. The Tigers are reeling because now they've lost Miguel Cabrera, and their pitching isn't as good, and they're beginning to sink. So...if they sink further, then the Indians could potentially make it to third, possibly second if the balloon in Minneapolis completely runs out of air.

For the first time since the late 2000's, the Indians have a strong pitching staff, one with depth. Not only do you have somebody like Corey Kluber who can come in and baffle every batter in the park, but people like Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer have been stepping up BIG TIME, and pitching some great games.

The biggest surprise of the Indians' season so far has been Jason Kipnis, who will be leading the league in Batting Average once he overtakes the now-injured Miguel Cabrera. He's had a phenomenal season so far, both offensively and defensively, having a ton of hits and getting back to what he started back in 2013. He's a great player, and the Indians are lucky to have him. I think he deserves an All Star nod, but we're not gonna find out about that until Monday night (effin' Kurkjian).

Coming Tonight: A Cubs pitcher who's been having a nice season so far, whose name isn't Lester or Arrieta.

Custom Card of the Day: Kipnis Edition

I really don't have too much to say tonight, other than the fact that this card is awesome. Probably one of the year's best.

I wish I had more to say tonight, but I'll have more to say in the coming weeks.

Coming Tomorrow- A cheating star pitcher for the A's.