Time to check in on our baseball teams. I actually caught the end of the Cubs game yesterday, after returning from a family trip to Target. There’s always some competition to watching 162 Cubs games each year, especially in the summer. And no, the first game of the Stanley Cup finals did not stand in the way, since I did not watch one minute of that game, just as the NBA finals will prove no competition. Instead the main competition is Target; well, it was a 50-50 outcome yesterday, which I can live with. I was very happy with the outcome as actually, both the Cubs and Sox have been playing watchable baseball recently, and that’s a good thing.
Going back to my blog of May 17th, the Cubs sat at 13-27, and the Sox sat at 21-22. Since then the Cubs are 9-7 and the Sox are 10-8, both teams playing slightly better than .500 ball. The Cubs had a much bigger hole to dig out of. They continue to sit at .500 (15-15) in all games decided by more than 2 runs, while they went 4-2 in games decided by 2 runs or less, bringing that record to a still woeful 7-19. At 22-34, the Cubs are still 12 games under .500, but are showing signs. Their starting pitching has held up. Why not try to keep some of these guys instead of continuing to dump. As discussed, I’m all for signing Samardzija, and I also think we should keep Wood and Hammel. Actually, Arrieta is not so bad either. Am I actually saying to keep 4 of the 5 current Cubs starters? I’ll say 3. That’s a lot better than I thought. That means looking forward, if we were to keep these guys, which is a BIG if, we have 3 slots in the rotation filled. With a big FA signing to fill the 1 slot, and the calling up of a prospect to fill the 5 slot, the rotation is set. Now that wouldn’t be the best rotation in the world, but I would be satisfied with that scenario heading into the future. As I said, I don’t think the Cubs are that far off.
There’s still the offense to worry about, but there should be reinforcements coming in the form of Baez and Bryant. Let’s hope they’re not another Jackson and Vitters. Everyone will have their rookie struggles (unless your name is Jose Abreu), but if they can prove to be great MLB players, even good MLB players, that’s an improvement to the offense. With Almora not far behind, the Cubs offense begins to take shape. As I said, I don’t think the Cubs are that far off.
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A quick look at the Sox shows an above .500 record. In the past 19 days, they have went from one game below to one game over the .500 mark. This may be a .500 ball club. I did predict 75 wins for this team, which was more than most people thought, and they are projecting even a little better than that. How good has Abreu been? Besides the ankle problems, there is nothing else wrong with this kid’s game. He has been a beast, and not only the best rookie in the majors, but one of the best players period. With Sale being one of the best pitchers in the majors, the Sox have some pretty good cornerstones. As far as the offense goes, the Sox are currently in good shape. They need to be, as the pitching is the biggest concern there. Last night, Danks threw a great game. Although they needed that game last night, most nights they just need quality starts from their rotation. If they can get those, and the bullpen can avoid being horrible, this Sox team may actually push for the playoffs THIS year. Yeah, that’s hard to say for me, but it’s true.
With the MLB draft tonight, and the Sox and Cubs slotted are the 3 and 4 pick respectively, another piece of the future will be added. I see bright futures for BOTH of these teams. The Sox have a much better chance THIS year, while the Cubs (in my opinion, not the opinion of most) project to be in the mix next year. That’s typical for the Cubs, wait until next year, but this time, it’s actually more than just the words. Playing better than .500 ball is pretty good nowadays. With the 6 playoff spots in each league, this puts you in the discussion. This summer may not be that bleak after all…
LD#19
Wow! You still think the cubs are close? You have the worst record in baseball again. Baez is stinking up AAA, besides his other psychiatric issues, and Soler can’t get on the field with all his injury issues. Samardzija isn’t signing and can’t wait to leave. Losing games by 1 or 2 runs signifies nothing. Teams do it all the time, both good and bad ones. Winning games consistently is a much bigger hurdle than a couple extra runs a game. There’s a whole lot more involved in winning say 90-100 games in a season, and some isn’t even what you see on the field.
It’s extremely unusual for an organization to produce four accomplished players at the same time unless one of them is named Jeter, and it’s even rarer to bring them up and have them start producing at the major league level together. But listening to Epstien and Hoyer, it’s a piece of cake! They fully expect their big four Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Albert Almora and Jorge Soler to arrive in the majors in 2015 or 2016 with the World Series Championship parade scheduled for November 2017.
Even Jeter needed a whole lot more talent and $$$ to win those titles. Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro are the only other cubs with a chance of staying in Chicago for any length of time.
Sox need pitching plain and simple. Bullpen is a mess with some season ending injuries to both closers not helping. Sale and Quintana have been solid. Noesi coming on lately. Danks off and on still with too many walks. The offense has been scoring lots of runs and keeps it exciting. The lead-off and clean up hitters, Eaton and Abreu have been special all year so far. Lots of money freeing up for next year and the future looking good. 3rd pick in the draft today. 80-82 wins possible this year. Detroit should run away with the division in 2014, but next year??? I like what I see so far from the Sox and their fun to watch compared to last year. It took the White Sox one year by the way to somewhat recover.
JEFFK
Yes, I do think they are close. Baez, by the way, has been heating up. After a slow start, he just went on an 11-game hitting streak, and is back to hitting bombs. He’s far from “stinking it up”. We’ll all see him this summer… finally. Bryant has been tearing the cover off the ball. Soler has been hurt, which doesn’t make him bad, and Almora has been playing better…. that damn 20 year old needs to find some consistency now!
They’ll be here soon… some this year, and some next. The Cubs are LOADED in the minors, while the Sox are rated near the bottom. The Sox are a lot better than the Cubs right now, so they don’t need as many reinforcements, but after you’re claiming the Sox took one year to recover, don’t tell me for a second the Cubs can’t do the same, with their loaded farm system and money waiting to spend.
Why wait to spend the money? That’s part of the plan, and I believe they will spend it when the time hits, like next year. I’d be disappointed if they didn’t score a big FA next year. With a big FA or 2, and some top prospects coming, watch out. It may be sooner than you, and the rest of the baseball experts, think.
LD#19
Its already been 3 years for the Cubs.
JEFFK
Haha. You’re right. I’m trying to look from this year to next. Bottom line is we’re closer than you think…