Turning Corners
For the first time since 1945, the Chicago Cubs will play in the World Series beginning Tuesday, October 25th at 7:08 pm CST.
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We Need to Talk About Andrew Miller’s Slider
Most of us know that Andrew Miller’s slider is excellent; but let’s illustrate just how unhittable the postseason’s best reliever’s best pitch is.
Read more "We Need to Talk About Andrew Miller’s Slider"The Finality of Game Two
On October 15, Miguel Montero set Chicago on fire with a game-winning grand slam in Game 1 of the NLCS. The win snapped a 7-game NLCS losing streak for the Chicago Cubs, and gave fans boundless confidence entering Game 2 the following day. The atmosphere in Wrigley Field was electric (or so I’m told), and […]
Read more "The Finality of Game Two"Meet Willson Contreras: The Cubs’ Latest Can’t-Miss Callup
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Chicago Cubs are dipping again into their war chest of top-shelf prospects, welcoming white-hot catcher Willson Contreras to the show. The move will (most likely) be made possible by designating veteran Tim Federowicz for assignment. Given Miguel Montero’s defensive struggles lately and David Ross’s age, it seems like the perfect […]
Read more "Meet Willson Contreras: The Cubs’ Latest Can’t-Miss Callup"Compact Swing, Contact Hitting: How Javier Baez is Steadily Figuring it Out
Javier Baez has been the second-worst kept secret in the Chicago Cubs development system over the past couple years. In that time, he’s struggled with intermittent flashes of brilliance. When he hits, he hits. His giant, loopy swing and bat speed make every fly look like it should hit the streets outside a park, and […]
Read more "Compact Swing, Contact Hitting: How Javier Baez is Steadily Figuring it Out"By The Numbers: Which Teams Blow the Most Leads When and How Often in 2016
Blown leads are the bane of every baseball fan’s existence; it’s a gut punch to watch your team fall from a winning position, regardless of record. That being said, some teams this season have been way better at holding leads than others. In the interest of observing every team from as level a field as […]
Read more "By The Numbers: Which Teams Blow the Most Leads When and How Often in 2016"Shark’s Selection: How Jeff Samardzija is Producing for the Giants
Let’s talk about Jeff Samardzija. As a lifelong Cubs fan, I’m all too familiar with him, both highs and lows. He was the ordained ace for a lot of Chicago’s bad seasons, until he turned down a 5-year contract in the neighborhood of $85 million and ended up on the South Side by way of […]
Read more "Shark’s Selection: How Jeff Samardzija is Producing for the Giants"Yasiel’s Yield: Looking at Yasiel Puig’s Early-Season Struggles
I really like Yasiel Puig. I always have. Let’s get that clear (I have a bobblehead on my desk), because picking apart a player’s rough year always seems a bit mean. He’s fun to watch, and he has all the potential in the world. That being said, he underachieved a bit last year (but he […]
Read more "Yasiel’s Yield: Looking at Yasiel Puig’s Early-Season Struggles"New Contact: Kris Bryant’s New Swing and How It Impacts His Hitting
It’s not surprising that Kris Bryant was unhappy with his league-leading strikeout rate last year. It might not even be surprising to find out that he wasn’t satisfied with his breakout rookie campaign, in which he batted .275 with 26 home runs and an on-base percentage of .369, amassing a rookie WAR of 6.5. Hunger […]
Read more "New Contact: Kris Bryant’s New Swing and How It Impacts His Hitting"Do Not Walk: Looking at Clayton Kershaw’s 2016 Start
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a rough go over the last few games. Going into Sunday’s game against the lowly Padres (heavily favored, with an excessive -300 line per ESPN), they were on a six-game skid that included Clayton Kershaw’s only loss of the season so far. Most baseball statheads know that Wins and […]
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Double Drivel 