Chicago Cubs: Five reasons team will continue second half surge

The Cubs have been excellent in the second half of the baseball season since Joe Maddon came to town. In 2019, Cubs fans have witnessed this again firsthand and can expect more of the same going forward.

Coming into this season, the Chicago Cubs had gone 189-103 in the second half of seasons since Joe Maddon took over as skipper. Adding in the eight games (7-1 record) they’ve played already in 2019 since the break, you can make that 196-104. That’s not a misprint- the Cubs have played at a .653 clip, a 106 win pace, in the second half under Maddon.

Say what you will about the Cubs polarizing lame duck of a manager, he knows how to get the best from his troops in the second half, and he knows how to keep guys fresh when most teams are melting down in 100-degree heat in the heart of summer.

While other managers are wearing down their stars in the field and on the mound? Maddon mixes and matches his way through the season. Often vexing many fans and the Twittersphere as a whole in the process.

Where most people see one game or one series as a death sentence when things don’t go well, Maddon always has the big picture in mind and tries to keep things on an even keel- which doesn’t sit well with just about anyone when things are going poorly, but works well over the long haul of a 162 game marathon. If you’re patient, that is.

Maddon also manages a loose clubhouse and is positive with all of his players. Defending and protecting them against all-comers in the media and beyond. This looseness, which promised to be more focused this season, has been one of Maddon’s specialties and is forgotten by many who watch the games and look at stats.

Maddon’s best qualities as a manager aren’t his in-game decisions, bullpen usage, or even lineup construction- they’re his ability to read his guys, give them what they need, and support them when and how they need it.

Guys like Willson Contreras and Javier Báez probably would not have blossomed in the same way under other managers, but Maddon’s love of energy and his positivity with both have allowed them to start realizing their gobs of potential. Speaking of, Maddon’s players deserve some love and are another reason why the Cubs will continue to shine in this second half.

Chicago Cubs: Baez continues to shine at shortstop

Another reason this club will most certainly continue to trend in the right direction in the second half is the play of All-Star shortstop and tagging magician Javier Baez. Even when Baez isn’t hitting, he still finds a way to affect the game in some way, shape, or form- whether it’s a tag, a slide, legging out a dropped-third strike, or jumping on Kyle Schwarber after a walk-off bomb. Regardless of the score or outcome, Baez seems to be in the middle of things most days and nights, and he has established himself as the most exciting player not just on the Cubs, but in all of baseball.

After a breakout performance in 2018 that saw Baez finish second to Christian Yelich in the NL MVP race, most pundits figured Baez was due for a bit of regression in 2019. Especially having to take over permanent shortstop duties with Addison Russell suspended and then relegated to a part-time player.

Not only has Baez continued to hit home runs, drive in runs, and do extraordinary things on the diamond, he has played even better defense this season. His defense is carrying a bit more of the weight this season in his 3.4 fWAR so far (before yesterday’s game, so that number is going up after a 3-for-4, three RBI performance). He’s also on pace to produce basically the same exact 5.3 fWAR as last season, all while taking over shortstop duties on an almost everyday basis.

While Baez probably won’t be involved in the NL MVP race in 2019 thanks to Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich having Ruthian seasons. He’s still on pace to hit 30+ home runs and drive in 100 runs again. All while playing the most premium of premium positions on the field almost every single day. If there’s a reason to be optimistic about the Cubs’ second-half chances this season? Look no further than the guy wearing number nine Although he’s not doing it all alone this season.

Chicago Cubs: How good could the Cubs be if Darvish continues to shine?

Despite a couple of trips to the IL and one of the band on the IL right now (Cole Hamels), the Cubs’ rotation has been solid so far this season. While it hasn’t been close to the Dodgers’ rotation, the Cubs have managed to navigate some ups and downs and stay relatively healthy and productive. If Hamels can come back for the stretch run, the Cubs already third-ranked NL pitching corps may just challenge the Dodgers.

One factor that has fans thinking that might be a possibility is the brilliance of Yu Darvish so far in the second half. In two starts since the break, Darvish has yet to allow a run in 12 innings, registering 15 strikeouts against only one walk. If Darvish can continue that kind of dominance, it will keep the pen fresh and help win the Cubs a lot of ballgames.

In addition to Darvish, lefties Jon Lester and José Quintana have both been solid and gutsy in each of their two starts, if not quite dominant.  Giving the Cubs at least six innings in all four starts, the Cubs have not lost with southpaws on the mound in the second half.

The only game they’ve lost so far in the second half? A game in which Kyle Hendricks started, going six innings and giving up only four hits and two runs, garnering a no-decision. If this is the way things are going to go for the Cubs rotation in the second half and they get back Hamels, it’s going to be a fun second half… if the pen can hold leads.

Chicago Cubs: Lots of W flags will fly when this guy pitches

What do teams who are successful in the second half need? Well, a good bullpen is probably pretty high up there on the priority list. A lights-out closer also might be a necessity. When healthy and right, that’s a check and another check. With the addition of Craig Kimbrel to an oft-maligned (in the early part of the season) but mostly solid bullpen? The Cubs are continuing to adjust to life with an actual, bona fide closer.

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The good news is that it’s no longer closer-by-committee, and Maddon shouldn’t have to pitch Steve Cishek every day. If Carl Edwards Jr. can be productive, Pedro Strop can get back on track (is he still nursing a bit of something and just trying to fight through it?). If Brandon Kintzler can continue being good, we may not even have to see Brad Brach very often!

Add the possibility of Brandon Morrow down the stretch (don’t hold your breath, but what a late-season “pick-up” that would be if he’s right). As well as Adbert Alzolay, Dillon Maples, and even an Alec Mills? Maddon will have lots of options to keep everyone fresh and ready to go.

Not only will the current members of the pen continue to help the Cubs win games, but you also have to figure that at least one move will be made before the end of the month to add a lefty in the pen. Someone like Will Smith or maybe a starter the Cubs could use in an unorthodox manner like Mike Minor or Matthew Boyd.

While the 2019 season has seemed a bit uneven at times, with highs and lows already hit, expect this club to continue doing what it always does under Joe Maddon in the second half–win. And win. And win some more — hopefully all the way to an NL Central crown and maybe even a pennant.

With all this winning the Cubs should continue to do in the second half this season, there’s one thing I didn’t mention that could be very interesting in the second half. A possible extension for Joe Maddon should the Chicago Cubs pull away from their Central Division rivals and look like the team we all expect them to be. Here’s hoping for that .653 winning percentage to continue, a trip to the playoffs, and another few years of Joe.