Tell me about the Chicago Cubs

The Game Room
1

OK, now that the Nationals have done their standard “Win the division and collapse in the NLDS” routine, I will be rooting for the Cubs. I lived in Chicago for a couple of years, have a few friends there, and would generally like to see the Cubs win after 108 years.

I am the most casual of baseball fans, really a Nats fan only. I don’t know much about other teams. So please tell me about the Cubs. Who are their star hitters and best pitchers? How do said hitters and pitchers compare with the rest of the league? What’s their depth like? Their bullpen? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Are they relying on a few stars to carry them, or do they have a well balanced team where everyone is pretty good, but no one stands out? Or something in the middle?

Thanks! Hope these questions aren’t too dumb.

2

They’re going to lose in 4 to the Dodgers. That’s all that is necessary to know.

3

darn when the dodgers don’t get past the first round or don’t get in at all and the cubs do I usually hope the cubs can finally win one…Now I have to say next year Chicago …

4

The Cubs are strong at every position. There are no weaknesses here. The three guys to watch are infielders Rizzo, Bryant and Baez. During the season, their starting pitching was second to none and their bullpen is deep. They won 103 games this season and only lost 24 games at home. They also have one of the highest regarded managers in the game. Finally, they have had no injuries with the exception of outfielder Kyle Schwarber early in the season. The team is healthy and young.

Watch out.

5

This team won 103 games while losing one of their best hitters in the first week of the season when Kyle Schwarber went out with a season ending injury.

6

Dexter Fowler is actually my choice for team MVP. Without him, the team scored .7 fewer runs, and compiled an 11-17 record without him in the lineup. Baez is one of the slickest fielders I’ve ever seen, and his quick tags have saved several stolen bases.

But, to quote Winston Wolfe in Pulp Fiction, “let’s not start sucking each other’s dicks quite yet.”

7

Fowler disappointed at the plate this season but he’s been great with the glove. The Cubs have enough hitting to allow for a mediocre outfield bat

8

To me, it’s not just his bat. He’s brought something to the line-up that they’ve lacked, and not just physically.

When he was out due to injury, the entire team struggled. Just his being in the game worked wonders.

9

Apparently not.

Thanks for all the replies.

10

Fowler had the best season of his career. He had the sixth-best on base percentage in the National League. I am curious as to how this was a disappointment.

11

I was on my 5th beer and was getting Fowler and Heyward confused.

12

Their bandwagon gets larger every day.

13

I don’t think one can say the Cubs were a poorly supported team in the lean years.

If more people want to watch and cheer when a team is successful… well, that’s what happens when a business produces a better product.

14

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

15

Team of Destiny. Combining Maddon and Theo is a Superteam.* They also are well setup for years to come. A hallmark of Epsteins Sox teams where the goal was to make the playoffs 8 out of 10 years.

*This from a Red Sox fan.

16

Well that certainly was a terrible guess.

17

lol.