Chicago Cubs: Productive outs will lead to success

The Cubs need to learn from their struggles with RISP

It’s often muttered while on a golf course. It doesn’t matter if the shot is bad as long as its moving in the general direction of the hole. The Chicago Cubs experienced–and hopefully learned a valuable lesson that may determine the level of success they have. Baseball is an interesting game. The greatest players whomever played failed more than half the time they batted. So how do we measure our success? In the case of this young ballclub, learning to accept nothing less than a productive out might be it.

Yes, you heard it correctly. Outs. If the Cubs hope to contend this year, they will need to do a better job of being productive even when it doesn’t show up in their stats. Opening Night provided a number of situations where the lack of proper situational hitting kept the Cubs off the scoreboard.

Let’s look at the bottom of the first inning because it represented the good and bad on this topic. After Dexter Fowler doubled to left, the Cubs held a 63% chance of scoring based on the Expected Run Table. For Jorge Soler, the job as the number two hitter is to ensure Fowler at least reaches third. After swinging hard at two strikes, Soler provided us with the first example of a productive out. By grounding out to the right side of the infield, Fowler advanced to third. With a runner at third and one out, the Cubs chances of scoring had increased to 67%.

This is why productive outs and an awareness of the situation helps you. Even though the Cardinals recorded an out, The Cubs probability of scoring improved. The situational approach for Anthony Rizzo was actually much easier than Soler encountered. With a runner at third and less than two outs, Rizzo’s only objective was to put the ball in play. The Cardinals countered by moving the infield in forcing Rizzo to hit a fly ball. Ultimately Rizzo struck out looking on an outside pitch.

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Although Rizzo was being pitched away, His empty at-bat ended up being the downfall of the inning. After the slugger’s strikeout, the chance the Cubs had to score plummeted to 28%. After Adam Wainwright dispatched of Rizzo, the pressure was off and he was able to induce a lazy grounder back to the mound to end the inning.

The first inning showed us the very things that will define this team. The Kansas City Royals got to the World Series with excellent situational hitting and the use of productive outs. This young team must do the same. Whether its baseball or golf, every attempt must be made with purpose even if its not made with success.

Next: Reactions to the Cubs Opening Night loss