The Chicago Cubs reached the midway level of the season Saturday night time, and whether or not the glass was half-full or half-empty was within the eye of the beholder.
At the beginning of spring coaching, PECOTA projections had the Cubs successful 77 video games and ending third within the National League Central behind the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers.
After Saturday’s weather-delayed 6-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, the Cubs are 38-43, on tempo for 76 wins and fourth within the division, 5 video games behind the co-leading Brewers and Cincinnati Reds.
The half-full crowd might level to a 14-11 document in June as an indication the Cubs have begun to get their act collectively. The half-empty crowd might counsel a sub-.500 first-half document signifies little progress from the final two dropping seasons.
Asked concerning the PECOTA projection in spring coaching, Cubs President Jed Hoyer mentioned 87 or extra wins had been within reach.
“That has to be our goal, to be a team that’s plus-10 or more, and that’s what everyone here is working hard to do,” he mentioned in mid-February in Mesa, Ariz. “That’s the job. But who am I to question someone’s methodology? We have our internal projections.”
Whether the Cubs are assembly their inside projections stays to be seen, however on the very least they need to stay in rivalry in a mediocre division.
Here are 5 issues to look at within the subsequent month till the commerce deadline.
1. The Stroman and Steele Show
The high two starters, Marcus Stroman and Justin Steele, have stored the Cubs in rivalry by giving them an opportunity to win nearly each outing. Steele led the majors with a 2.43 ERA via Friday, whereas Stroman was third at 2.47 earlier than giving up 5 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings Saturday in opposition to the Guardians.
Stroman’s self-confidence seemingly has rubbed off on Steele, who has quietly was one of many sport’s most dominant left-handers.
“It’s the endless amount of hours nobody sees,” Stroman mentioned June 20 after a win in Pittsburgh. “My work comes from my confidence. I do know no person goes to be extra ready than me out on the sphere.
“When I step out there, there is nothing in my head that has any bit of doubt about things I could’ve done to make my game even slightly better. I’m confident. Like a true, real confident. It’s not a fake confidence. And that’s not going anywhere anytime soon.”
With Stroman anticipated to train his opt-out clause, Hoyer should resolve whether or not to threat dropping him for nothing in return or deal him on the commerce deadline and attempt to re-sign him after the season.
Trading probably the most widespread Cubs would appear self-destructive, however Hoyer has expertise in that, having dealt Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Báez within the large summer season sell-off of 2021.
2. Who’s on first?
Manager David Ross hasn’t gotten any consistency on the place the place his outdated buddy Rizzo was a mainstay for 10 seasons.
The Cubs entered Saturday ranked twenty sixth with a .353 slugging share at first base and twenty fifth with a .225 common. Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini began out as a lefty-righty platoon, however Hosmer’s lack of offense led to his launch in May and Mancini’s defensive woes have pressured Ross to make use of him principally as a chosen hitter. Hot prospect Matt Mervis instantly cooled off throughout a quick promotion, and Cody Bellinger’s finest place is heart area.
Rookie Jared Young has impressed since his call-up this week and will get an opportunity to run with it if he continues to hit.
3. The Madrigal Line
Nick Madrigal is aware of he’s not a prototypical third baseman at 5-foot-8 with nearly no energy whatsover.
“I know it didn’t look the best on paper, and a lot of people had different opinions on it,” he mentioned Friday of the transfer from second base in spring coaching. “But I felt like I can form myself into a third baseman in the league. I know it’s still at the halfway point, but I feel comfortable out there.”
Madrigal was briefly demoted to Triple-A Iowa however entered Saturday hitting .375 (18-for-48) since June 11 and has ably changed Patrick Wisdom, rehabbing at Iowa with a wrist damage.
“I know everything happens for a reason,” Madrigal mentioned after hitting his first dwelling run in additional than two years. “Looking back, maybe (the demotion) was a good thing. I wasn’t happy about it at all, but looking at the big picture, it helped get my timing in everyday at-bats.”
The Cubs know his limitations, however having a contact hitter within the lineup isn’t a nasty factor if they will provide energy from different positions.
4. Managing With the Stars
Ross shocked many in 2017 when he grew to become a finalist on “Dancing With the Stars.”
“I’m surprised he made it this far,” Jon Lester advised MLB. com. “I told him early to take a fall and pull a hammy and go on home.”
Ross didn’t win, however he received the hearts of grannies in all places. Winning over Cubs followers as supervisor has been a tougher job since he changed Joe Maddon in 2020. Early this season his dealing with of the bullpen was a serious bone of rivalry.
But the current emergence of Adbert Alzolay as nearer and Mark Leiter Jr. and Julian Merryweather as setup males has quieted a lot of his critics. Ross has no worries about job safety for now, however followers finally will decide him on whether or not he can take this group to the postseason.
5. Johnny Deadline
Hoyer has been a vendor in his first two seasons as president. Now he’s anticipated to be a purchaser, relying on the place the Cubs stand on Aug. 1.
After an lively offseason wherein he spent greater than $300 million on free brokers, Hoyer ought to have the leeway so as to add a major piece or two to make sure the Cubs are taking part in in October. But in the event that they flop in July, all bets are off.
General supervisor Carter Hawkins mentioned Wednesday that enchancment in all three phases of the sport in June “obviously leads to wins, and wins lead to improving our playoff odds, and if we do that more and more, it puts us in position to buy.” FanGraphs gave the Cubs a 14.1% likelihood of successful the division via Friday.
The NL Central is there for the taking.
Will the Cubs step up and seize it?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com