Chicago Cubs: Five reasons to believe in this team’s playoff chances

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

I’ll admit, I’m forever the optimist when it comes to the Chicago Cubs. I’ve mentioned that more than once here, and I realize it’s easy to get excited when thing go well, same as getting down when they aren’t. After getting swept by baseball’s worst in the Philadelphia Phillies (not the case anymore), I wondered if the joyride was over before it began. That will be the last time I doubt anything that’s going on in Chicago.

Watching meaningful baseball in August on the North Side hasn’t happened in a while so it’s been strange–but most of us are getting quite used to it. I went to the Cardinal series in July. I haven’t felt Wrigley like that since 2004. So what’s the secret formula? What’s happening in Chicago?

If you aren’t fully onboard yet, I’ve got five good reasons why you should be. Many of these are obvious, some are not, but they’re all legitimate reasons why the Cubs are in the race–and why you should believe they will remain in it.

Next: No. 5: Theo & Co.'s 'Plan'

Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

The “Plan”, just as it was presented to us

When Theo Epstein came to the Cubs in the fall of 2011, he came with high hopes and aspirations. After turning around the Boston Red Sox into longtime losers (still not as long as the Cubs) into World Series Champions, many expected him to do the same in Chicago. He hired Jed Hoyer to be the GM as he assumed the role of President of baseball operations.

Epstein quickly laid out the plan for the franchise. It wasn’t one that many Cubs fans wanted to hear. It wasn’t a “reboot”, or a “retooling”. This was a ground up rebuild. It would be painful. There would be losses–lots of them–and it would take time.

As the Cubs finished last with 101 losses in his first season, some started to question this plan. It was followed by a small improvement, but still a 96 loss season. As each trade deadline came, the Cubs would ship out more good players for unknown names. The slowly freed themselves of the bad contracts that had shackled them.

Thos unknown names and last-place finishes that led to top draft choices became Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell, Kyle Hendricks and more. I want to tell you I believed in this plan the whole time, but that’s a lie. I was worried things wouldn’t turn around. That all these prospects wouldn’t pan out.

Boy, was I wrong.

Next: No. 4: How about these kids?

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

These kids grow up so fast these days

When the season was in its infancy, Kris Bryant spent the spring knocking baseballs all over Arizona. The Cubs took a lot of heat for not putting him on the Opening Day roster. Whatever the reason, be it contractual or for his defense–most of us have forgotten all about that. We were excited for Bryant, and we still are. But if we would have had any clue of what was to come.

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Not long after, Addison Russell made his way to Chicago, joining Bryant and Jorge Soler–still a rookie–as an impressive group of young players. They joined Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo as the “25 and under” group leading the Cubs. Things were already looking up at this point, and then came that series when the Cubs needed a Designated Hitter for a few games.

Enter Kyle Schwarber.

The impact that Schwarber has had on the team is immeasurable. The nicknames can’t come fast enough. The Cubs couldn’t deny his value, and even after the return of Miguel Montero they’ve kept him on the roster. Bryant has survived a “slump”, but still is a team leader in RBIs and a Rookie of the Year candidate. Russell displaced a struggling Castro to take the shortstop job, and Soler has the best average (aside from Schwarber) of all these rookies. The Cubs are young, dangerous, and fearless.

Next: No. 3: Pocket Aces

Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Arrieta and Lester lead an impressive staff

When the Cubs signed Jon Lester for $155 million, most fans were excited to see the team loosen up the purse strings. And then when Lester came out flat? I can’t explain some of the things I read from fans. The man hadn’t been here a month and he was a “bust”, or a No. 5 starter at best.

The reason Epstein wanted to bring in Lester was for his postseason pedigree and his impressive track record. This wasn’t supposed to be the year the Cubs would contend, but once it came, Epstein wanted a player who had been there before to lead. Now, Lester is 8-8 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. For some of the bad outings he had? These numbers who just how good he’s been the rest of the time.

And then there’s Jake Arrieta. The other ace the Cubs thought they had but weren’t sure that they had. That sounds confusing, but it’s the truth. After a breakout season last year, it was hard to be sure that Arrieta would carry that over into 2015, hence going out to get Lester. Arrieta hasn’t disappointed as he’s should find himself square in the middle of Cy Young discussions.

Add to them Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks, as well as newly acquired Dan Haren and the Cubs have a formidable rotation. The bullpen has done its share of the work as well. They are the easiest to cuss when they have a bad outing, but overall they’ve been a reliable group out there. After Travis Wood failed in the fifth starter spot, he became one of the reliable options in the pen, one of many reliable veterans on this team.

Next: No. 2: Vets imparting their wisdom on the Cubs youth

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The “old” guys are getting it done

With all the youth this team has, the front office did their best to integrate veterans into the roster. Some with playoff experience, others with a good amount of years under their belt. It’s nice to think that putting a team of 25 and under’s on the field will win every game, but it simply isn’t true.

David Ross was thought to be nothing more than Lester’s “personal” catcher. He’s proved that to be quite false. The man still has the arm of a rookie behind the plate, essentially the reason that Lester doesn’t fear the running game. Ross will retire one day–Lester will need to master the art of the pickoff at some point.

Miguel Montero has brought leadership and offense with his as well. Chris Denorfia has been one of the best Cubs pinch-hitters since Reed Johnson, and the aforementioned Wood has taken the “demotion” with class to do what the team has asked of him out of the pen. Jason Motte has been a middle relief guy, a closer, to everything in between. These “old-timers” are helping lead the way for these young Cubs to do things the right way. So far, so good. 

Next: No. 1: Ricky who?

Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The right guy at the right time

Ok, that was a little cold with the “Ricky who”, but let’s be honest with ourselves–would we be here right now with Renteria? The answer is likely no. I won’t debate the ethics of the move to bring Joe Maddon to Chicago, but at this point I wish Renteria well and am content with it all.

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At the press conference, I was in awe of Maddon. “Can a manager be this much fun?” There was no way he was like this all the time,  clearly it was a show for the press. Needless to say, I would be wrong. There may not have been a better fit for this team than Maddon, and that’s being proven day in, day out.

His outgoing personality, which includes having magicians before a game, smoke machines and dance parties after wins–but most of all his baseball mind. It all blends seamlessly into the perfect package that the Cubs needed to guide the young players while managing the veterans. Pulling Hammel from games after 65 pitches? Benching a three-time All-Star? Most of that would have caused an internal backlash. Guys aren’t happy, but they see the big picture because that’s what Maddon has made it about.

It’s bigger than the player, bigger than Maddon himself. It’s about a city and a team that deserve something great.

Next: You should be shaking your head by now