A Chicago Cubs worker bent down close to third base an hour earlier than the workforce’s 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday and punctiliously scooped a handful of filth right into a glass vial.
After the season, the vial of Wrigley Field filth might be mailed to a season ticket holder as a reward for his or her loyalty to the group.
The Cubs additionally mentioned acknowledged their followers with a specifically reduce design within the outfield grass that learn “THANK YOU” beneath a workforce brand, surrounded by the phrases “Chicago Cubs Season Ticket Holders.”
You may be questioning why the Cubs are specializing in season ticket holders as an alternative of thanking followers generally for patiently sticking by the workforce via a second straight dropping season. If so, you haven’t been paying a lot consideration to the dwindling crowds of 15,000 or much less displaying up in September, even because the workforce mounts a late-season streak that may’ve had Cubs followers leaping for pleasure in April or May.
Instead of the standard delirium related to the Cubs having fun with some on-field success, the present pressure of Cubs Fever has been tempered by the actual fact it’s too means little and means too late.
Nevertheless, the win over the Reds was the Cubs’ fifth straight and thirteenth in 17 video games. They have the majors’ third-best pitching because the All-Star break and ended September with a 15-11 document.
So what does that imply for 2023?
“I see us competing,” profitable pitcher Adrian Sampson mentioned. “You’ve seen us how we’ve performed this final month or so. Pitching and protection, they’re going to win you video games after which simply maintain the fellows within the lineup and we’re going to attain some runs. Anything can occur.
“It’s hard to see what’s happening in the future. We still have a week left. I’m trying to stay focused on what’s happening now. Everyone wants to know what’s happening later. I don’t have the answers.”
No one does, however we all know the largest query:
What will the Cubs do that winter to verify they’re not out of competition by May?
These small victories on the finish of a misplaced season gained’t matter a lot until the Cubs show they’re prepared to go large this offseason. Unfortunately for season ticket holders, the down funds most likely might be due earlier than the workforce makes any vital signings, so it’s going to take a leap of religion to throw down cash and hope it’s nicely spent.
They’ve averaged greater than 32,400 followers this season, however these are tickets offered, not followers in attendance. After being pressured to both eat dozens of tickets in 2021 or promote them at drastically diminished costs on StubHub or elsewhere, will the season ticket holders come again in droves?
The one factor the Cubs should promote is younger pitching, which may give them a base to construct round. Rookie Hayden Wesneski, who was known as up Sept. 7, has seen sufficient to develop into a believer.
“We need one or two pieces,” Wesneski mentioned. “We definitely can contend. I don’t see why we can’t. We have everything you would need to win.”
Well, possibly not the whole lot, however you must like his optimism.
“I‘m not saying we have to go grab people,” he mentioned. “But I’m saying we’re missing a few guys as well. I don’t see why we can’t win next year.”
Wesneski, Keegan Thompson and Justin Steele are younger pitchers who’ve made probably the most of their alternatives, giving followers hope the worst is behind them. Cubs starters got here into Friday with a 3.04 ERA because the break, third behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (2.71) and Houston Astros (2.74), who may meet within the World Series.
The Cubs are 36-29 because the break, higher than the 31-33 second-half document the crosstown White Sox carried into Friday’s sport in San Diego.
Sampson, who improved to 4-5 with seven robust innings, has allowed two or fewer runs in seven straight begins since Aug. 28. With Marcus Stroman, Kyle Hendricks, Steele and Wesneski close to certainties to be within the 2023 rotation, Sampson has to hope the Cubs don’t spend on a high free-agent starter.
Manager David Ross mentioned Sampson “has definitely put himself in a position to be able to help us next year.”
Sampson, who turns 31 in October, mentioned he’s OK with lengthy reduction, spot begins or regardless of the Cubs keep in mind for him.
“I think that’s important for a winning team, and we’re very close to that,” he mentioned.
“Close” is relative time period. They’re nonetheless 15 video games beneath .500 at 71-86 regardless of of the robust second half.
The Cubs on Friday pounded out 4 doubles within the second and third innings off Reds starter Graham Ashcraft, taking a 6-1 lead and cruising the remainder of the afternoon. They’ll ship Drew Smyly to the mound Saturday in his closing begin.
The Cubs have two extra residence video games left, hoping to point out followers this late-season run will not be a mirage. Playing a workforce that appears as lifeless because the Reds actually helps.
Season ticket holders can relaxation assured that the Cubs will stress their younger pitching and second-half progress as causes for them to resume.
If that doesn’t work, there’s at all times a free vial of filth from the 2022 season to entice them again for extra.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com