Chicago Cubs: Talking Cincinnati Reds as the clubs do battle this weekend

The Chicago Cubs somehow managed a .500 clip in the recent road trip, despite scoring just five runs in the first five games. Can they get it going at home?

Let’s hope Daniel Murphy joining the Chicago Cubs lineup and the team scoring eight runs wasn’t just a coincidence. The veteran second baseman helped set the tone on Wednesday in Detroit as the Cubs scored eight runs to split the series against the Tigers – managing a 3-3 road trip as they welcome the Cincinnati Reds to Wrigley Field.

The four-game set kicks off Thursday evening at the Friendly Confines. Once again, the Reds are firmly out of contention. That being said, they have all the makings of one of those teams capable of wreaking havoc in a tight race.

Chicago entered Thursday with a mere 2 1/2 game lead over the suddenly dangerous St. Louis Cardinals. The Milwaukee Brewers, meanwhile, remain just three games back as we head into the final week of August.

To get a better idea what to expect from Cincinnati, we chatted with Drew Koch of Blog Red Machine, the FanSided site dedicated to the Reds.

Chicago Cubs: Can Jim Riggelman lead the Reds back to relevance?

As we touched on earlier, the Reds’ offense has a lot of really nice pieces. If – and that remains a big ‘if’ – the pitching can turn the corner, this could be a dangerous team.

But, as Cubs fans know all too well, the man at the tiller can make a tremendous amount of difference in a clubhouse. After Cincinnati jettisoned Bryan Price (not sure why it took that long) earlier this year, the Reds turned to former Cubs skipper Jim Riggleman to get things turned around.

Entering this weekend’s series, Riggleman guided the Reds to a 53-56 clip. At that pace, they might even hit 80 wins over the course of an entire season. Jus’ saying. But does he have what it takes to lead the Reds back to the postseason?

Riggleman has done an admirable job since taking over for Bryan Price after the team started 3-15. He has brought an old-school managing style to the ballclub, which is something this team needed. That being said, I don’t know that he’s the long-term answer that Reds fans are looking for.

Maybe it’s because as a Cubs fan, we’ve had some high-profile managers lead the team to success. Dusty Baker, Lou Piniella and, now of course, Joe Maddon. I hardly equate postseason with no-namers. That’s not to say it can’t be done (A.J. Hinch in Houston, anyone?) – but Koch and I seem to be on the same page.

For my money, the best candidate has to be Joe Girardi. He’s proven himself to be a very capable manager in the Major Leagues, and would immediately bring legitimacy to the Reds organization.

That, my friends, is a big boy move. You wanna turn some heads in Cincinnati? Bring Girardi in.

Chicago Cubs: Reliable like clockwork, Joey Votto is ready to win

Can you blame the guy?

He’s likely to lead the league in on-base percentage for the third-straight year and the seventh time in the last nine seasons. A six-time All-Star and former MVP, he’s attempted to put the Reds on his back for what seems like forever. Now approaching his 35th birthday, the clock is ticking if he wants to win a ring.

But, if you ask Koch, the front office is doing what it needs to do to give Votto a chance at a title.

Other than starting pitching, the Reds have surrounded Votto with players capable of helping the Reds make a run. As for a trade, I don’t know if the Reds or Votto himself are more averse to that idea. Joey’s always come across as a player that understood the rebuild in Cincinnati and wanted to be a part of its success, whenever that may be.

To be honest, I can’t even imagine Votto donning another set of threads. He’s a Red – he’ll retire as a Red and, maybe – just maybe – he’ll have a ring before this is all said and done. As for whether or not he’s a Hall of Famer? That’s another matter entirely.

The Cincinnati slugger will miss at least the first three games of the series as he works back from a lower leg contusion. But he may return before Sunday’s finale – we’ll have to wait and see.

Chicago Cubs: The ‘Lovable Losers’ have become the ‘Arrogant Winners’

Now here’s somewhere Koch and I can agree. A very large number of Cubs fans have become arrogant and a bit conceded since the team’s 2016 World Series title. Never mind the fact the team will likely win 90 games for the fourth-straight year.

Forget they control their own fate as they chase a third consecutive NL Central crown and fourth NLCS appearance in four years. We want more – always. And it’s getting old.

Since winning the World Series two years ago, I think the Cubs and their fans have been a bit arrogant. But who can blame them? With all the suffering that the Cubs franchise endured over the years, I think it’s okay to have some excessive pride about the team they’ve built in Chicago.

Well, that’s about as understanding as I’ve ever seen someone – but that makes sense. We’re not talking to a Cardinals site. (For the record, Reds fans are awesome. I spent a day at the Great American Ballpark earlier this year rooting against St. Louis and everyone was awesome. But, then again, maybe that’s because I jeered Cards’ players…)

Could baseball’s sweetheart team (because let’s be real, that’s what they were two years ago) go dark? It’s more likely than you might think.

I think the Cubs and their fans need to be mindful, however, of becoming like the Golden State Warriors of the NBA. When Golden State first burst onto the scene, they were the darlings of the league. Now, they’ve become public enemy number one. I fear the same thing could occur in Chicago, especially if the Cubbies acquire Bryce Harper this offseason.

You know what? Haters gonna hate. Bring them on.

Chicago Cubs: The pursuit of another division crown starts here

That’s right.

Chicago is two days in to a 23-game sprint that lasts into September. And, if we’re being honest, they need to play well because if they don’t, the Cardinals are looking to pounce. That final series of the year between the Cubs and St. Louis is looming awfully large right about now.

But, let’s ask an outside observer, shall we? Who will win the National League Central when it’s all said and done?

Anyone but the Cardinals, am I right Cubs fans? Trust me, there’s no love lost for St. Louis among Reds fans either. I think the Cubs have the better roster and the inside track to win the NL Central.

See, you know what? I like this guy. Nice, knowledgable – what’s not to like. But, really, just keep saying my team will win the division and I’ll be nice. This weekend is key for Chicago – but the Reds are playing for pride, something that can’t be overlooked this late in the season.