Author Topic: Cubs in '18  (Read 171151 times)

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3645 on: August 20, 2018, 07:11:13 pm »
I suspect if Theo had it to do over again he would take Jake.

I suspect if Theo knew last fall what he knows now, the Cubs would have rejected the demands of both Davish and Arrieta.

I was in the Darvish camp.

I should have been in the camp wanting the Cubs to pass on both, and I don't recall any of those here last fall.

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3646 on: August 20, 2018, 07:12:00 pm »
You can only use 180 characters.  I would guess most of your friends don't have a large enough vocabulary to finish a complete senten
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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3647 on: August 20, 2018, 07:20:13 pm »
Ive found out through Twitter that I can give much more blunt opinions there than I can here and that a lot of people agree with me on Darvish.

I just got more likes on a quote about Darvish's problem not being in his arm but in his heart than every tweet Ive ever tweeted before combined.

Got a link?
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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3648 on: August 20, 2018, 07:41:54 pm »
Ive found out through Twitter that I can give much more blunt opinions there than I can here and that a lot of people agree with me on Darvish.

I just got more likes on a quote about Darvish's problem not being in his arm but in his heart than every tweet Ive ever tweeted before combined.

Yes, Twitter is known for the depth of knowledge and nuanced understanding (as well as the absence of ethnic or racial prejudice) of those who tweet.  (Ask our President)
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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3649 on: August 20, 2018, 07:44:19 pm »
Arrieta is 11th in WHIP amongst starters in the NL.  That makes him statistically a #1/2.  He would have improved our chances to go the WS this season.  I think it would have been worth the risk in terms of his performance down the road.
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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3650 on: August 20, 2018, 08:44:13 pm »
Mike Fiers has a WHIP of 1.20 to Arrieta’s 1.21. Fiers also has a better K/9 and BB/9 than Arrieta.

Mike Fiers is not a #1/2.

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3651 on: August 20, 2018, 09:16:11 pm »
From Sharma's latest article...Cubs run distribution vs. the other top 10 teams in MLB:



Basically, the Cubs get shut down far more often than other good teams. This offense is dysfunctional. Hopefully the front office realizes this offseason that they need to change it up. Too bad there won't be anyone available who fits their timeline, payroll, and needs this year like Yelich did last year.

EDIT: Article (the image I linked isn't appearing):
Early in the season, the narrative surrounding the Cubs is that they were changing their collective approach under new hitting coach Chili Davis. By August, it was assumed, the hard work would pay ...
The Athletic · theathletic.com
« Last Edit: August 20, 2018, 09:17:57 pm by brjones »

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3652 on: August 20, 2018, 10:02:48 pm »
1.) 7/10 top ten teams by wRC+ are AL teams.  When comparing run distributions to teams with a DH vs a team that is running out pitchers with a .230 OPS isn't exactly fair.

2.) Look at the run distribution of the Dodgers the Cubs have 3 more shut outs and 5 more 1 run games.  You can't convince me that is *statistically* significant in any way.

3.) The Cubs biggest issue on offense is the lack of HR.  The rank 21st in MLB in HR.  The 2017 Cubs had 11 players with an ISO above .150, with 7 above .200.  The 2016 Cubs had 10 players with an ISO above .150 (not counting Arrieta).  The 2018 Cubs have 2 players with an ISO above .200, and 9 above .150.  That includes Zagunis and his 6 PA, Bote and his 109 PA.

4.) Yelich wouldn't be that big of an improvement over the Cubs OF.  The have pretty much 2+ WAR at each OF position.

5.) The offense in the second half has been bad.  Only Zobrist, Rizzo, Baez (currently slumping), Bote and LaStella have a wRC+ above 100.  3 of those guys are part time players. 

6.) Only 7 of the Cubs 0 or 1 run games that the Cubs lost did the opposing team score less than 4 runs

7.) Hendricks, Darvish, Quintana, Lester and Chatwood combined have 2.7 fWAR.  That would rank them them 27th on the INDIVIDUAL fWAR leader board tied with Kyle Gibson and Marco Gonzales.  Montgomery and Hamels have combined for 1.9 fWAR in 17 starts.

8.) Despite all of this the Cubs still have the best record in the NL, largest division lead in the NL and a larger division lead than the Astros.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2018, 10:39:05 pm by CUBluejays »

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3653 on: August 20, 2018, 10:17:42 pm »
Very interesting article by Sharma, who is terrific!  brjones, you and Chris have been lamenting the offense most all season and, since the break, if not before at times, you've been right (as Sharma points out). 

I thought Cubs would be moving up the HR ranks with a bullet by now, but Craig's lack of power concerns have been validated.

We all know that hitting is contagious and that losing a guy like Bryant from the offense has a ripple effect.  It's appeared to me in recent games that the Cubs are pressing and that only exacerbates the problem....but it's usually what happens...lack of hitting is contagious, too.

We need about 3 guys to get hot at once and guys like Contreras, Schwarber, Happ would really help, so we aren't overly reliant on Baez and Rizzo.  I suspect Russell's hand issue will put him on the bench for a while when Bryant returns.  He's contributing very, very little at the plate right now.  Bote would be a better option, but he finally appears to be slumping, too.

There's little doubt that Cubs better fix this issue sooner than later or the lack of offense may take us right out of the playoff picture (if our starting pitching doesn't).

It's a real testimonial to the grit and resilience of our guys (as well as Joe and the FO) for finding a way to stay on top while facing such a tremendous set of vexing issues this season!

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3654 on: August 20, 2018, 10:36:17 pm »
Why is it that every time Dusty comments on an Asian player dogs everywhere start barking madly?

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3655 on: August 20, 2018, 10:39:33 pm »
uh yeah I’ll take Yelich over anything they have in the OF

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3656 on: August 20, 2018, 10:40:14 pm »
Those aren't dogs.  They're his Twitter friends.

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3657 on: August 20, 2018, 10:41:44 pm »
Sharma's not the only one:

As legends gathered in Cooperstown, New York, last month on the Friday evening of Hall of Fame induction weekend, it was business as usual for modern day baseball.
bleacherreport.com

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3658 on: August 20, 2018, 10:49:53 pm »
My favorite part of that was Leyland unable yet through a sentence without getting bleeped.

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Re: Cubs in '18
« Reply #3659 on: August 20, 2018, 10:51:56 pm »
4.) Yelich wouldn't be that big of an improvement over the Cubs OF.  The have pretty much 2+ WAR at each OF position.

Yelich is close to twice that, a borderline MVP candidate, and is currently playing for one of the Cubs' top rivals. Without him, the Brewers would be buried. With him, the Cubs would lead the Cardinals by a couple more games.

Of course, with Chili Davis as the hitting coach, Yelich would've been encouraged to not take advantage of his more HR friendly ballpark in the most homer friendly era of MLB history. So maybe he wouldn't have helped that much.