Last night, the Chicago Cubs sent their nominal seventh (eighth, when everyone’s healthy) starter, Javier Assad, and a completely taxed bullpen to Philadelphia to face a very stout Phillies lineup and one of the best pitchers in baseball, Christopher Sanchez.
Not only that, but Sanchez had already gotten off to another brilliant start this season, AND he’s a lefty, against whom the Cubs have struggled quite a bit this season because of their lefty-heavy lineup (Moises Ballesteros, Michael Busch, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Conforto, Ian Happ).
And I’m supposed to be surprised they lost that game? Nah. That was over before it started.
And while that is not, itself, a good thing (you’d obviously hope the Cubs have a better chance on any given day), we all just have to realize that there are some games the Cubs are not in a good position to win. Sometimes you win those games anyway. And sometimes you lose games you ARE in the better position to win. But when the obvious happens, you really shouldn’t hold a referendum on the entire team/season/winter.
Especially not on April 14.
As of today, the Chicago Cubs are 7-9, two games under .500, and in last place of the NL Central. But here’s the thing, they are ONLY 16 games into the season. That is just 9.9% of the year. At this point in their season, the Chicago Bears were down 38-14 in the third quarter of Week 2, about to start the year winless against two division rivals. They went on to win 11 of their next 15 games, taking the NFC North in the process.
So while one doesn’t affect the other in any real way, that should serve as a reminder of how quickly things can change when you have good talent in place. And I’m sorry, but the Chicago Cubs do have good talent in place. Up and down the lineup, and still in the rotation, even after Cade Horton’s injury.
Indeed, that Horton injury is the ONLY thing that should have changed your perspective on the Cubs to start this season. Without him, yes, this is a fundamentally different roster, especially in the playoffs if/when we get there. But when the Cubs did have Horton healthy, I was thinking they were a NO DOUBT playoff team, possibly even an obvious first or second-seed contender in the NL. Now, without him, you can dial back your expectations accordingly, but let’s not overdo it, either.
When I look at this roster, I see potential Gold Glovers in left, center, shortstop, second base, and first base.
I see two solid catchers behind the plate, one with veteran experience who’s continued his offensive breakout from last season and another, younger guy with even more offensive upside.
I see a prime-aged first baseman, Michael Busch, who has been nothing but a fantastic hitter throughout his career, getting off to a slow start. I don’t expect that to last. I see a veteran third baseman, Alex Bregman, whose results don’t come anywhere close to the quality of contact he’s been putting on the ball all season. I see a shortstop, Dansby Swanson, with three homers already and some of the most hard contact and best exit velos of his career.
I see a second baseman, Nico Hoerner, who is somehow even BETTER than he usually is. Enough said on him.
I see a left fielder, Ian Happ, who has a 116 wRC+ and four homers … after posting a career 116 wRC+ over the previous NINE seasons. I see a center fielder, PCA, with as much upside as any player on the team. He may have stuff to work through, but in the meantime, his defense and base running provide a nice floor. I see a right fielder, Seiya Suzuki, who’s played in only four games so far. Let’s give him a chance to settle in, eh? And I see a 22-year-old DH, Moises Ballesteros, who is absolutely DESTROYING the baseball AND getting fantastic early results: .333/.375/.528 (152 wRC+).
And on the bench, the Cubs have a left-handed outfielder, Michael Conforto, who has been hitting the ball very well here in the early going. And a right-handed utility player, Matt Shaw, who’s still coming into his own, but can spell multiple guys to provide rest the full season long.
In the rotation, I see Edward Cabrera tapping into the high-level success of which we know he’s capable. I see Shota Imanga’s velocity returned, and the results along with it. I see Jameson Taillon doing what he’s always done, which is being a perfectly fine mid-to-back-end starter. And I see Matthew Boyd coming back soon after posting some INSANE whiff rates to start the year.
Beyond them, yeah, there are questions. But at some point very soon, Justin Steele will be back. And in the meantime, Colin Rea and Javier Assad can manage. They always have for the Cubs in the past. And one bad Assad start, in which he was left out there to soak up innings for a depleted bullpen, doesn’t change that.
The bullpen is a bit of a question mark, but it almost always is (for the Cubs) at this point in the season. Giving up games now sucks, but this should get better as roles are figured out and players settle in. And in the meantime, at least they have a closer, Daniel Palencia, who has the look, velo, stuff, and success of a modern-day closer. That’s new for this organization.
And frankly, I also like what I’ve seen from both Hoby Milner and Caleb Thielbar, even though the latter had a bit of a tough weekend.
So, no, things aren’t going well to start the year. No one can or should tell you otherwise. And I’m certain you’re not feeling that way. But when we’re talking about being just two games under .500, 10-games into the season with a team that has this much talent, you just can’t get me to freak out the way you want me to.
Call me a homer. Call me too optimistic. Whatever. I think this is a good team playing poorly. Not a bad team playing to their true talent level. And that’s a FAR superior position (in terms of what comes next) to being a bad team playing well.
I don’t have an exact date – or depth – to tell you when I will start freaking out. And I’m sorry for that. But I can tell you, with certainty, that this is NOT that time. Not for me, at least.
So go ahead and freak out if you want. Everyone fans differently, and that’s okay. I’m just here to say that I’m not worried yet. Disappointed, yes. But not worried. The Cade Horton injury blows, and is a big difference maker for this team in the coming postseason (again, if/when). But the 7-9 start or last night’s rough loss to a good Phillies team holding every advantage over the Cubs? Nah. That’s not shaking me. Not yet, anyway.
Now, with that said, the Cubs have to face Aaron Nola today with an opener + Colin Rea and then another very tough lefty, Jesus Luzardo, tomorrow … so it might get worse before it gets better. But I still don’t think you should freak out yet.
Hence then, the article about i m still not freaking out about the cubs and you can t make me was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( I’m Still Not Freaking Out About the Cubs, And You Can’t Make Me )
Also on site :