Chicago Cubs: What will your favorite do in 60 games–or more?

There’s lots of reason to hope that Cubs can put up crazy numbers in 60 games.

While we won’t be getting 162 games in the 2020 season, it appears we will be getting some semblance of a season- namely, 60 games. While the 60 games won’t be coming at the usual beginning of the spring, it’s important to note the many different variables that can affect performance over a pretty large sample size (about two months).

Some players are known for being slow or hot starters, but that’s when the season starts in March or April. How many of their issues come from the weather being colder, fan attendance being lower, or just a general seasonal philosophy/feeling?

Conversely, how many guys just struggle because they’re getting their timing, finding a groove, or working on their eye at the beginning of a new season? It’s also impossible to know or be able to tell how players will be affected by COVID-19, a strange stop and start layoff, beginning the season in the heart of summer, or the general tension and unease in the country right now.

We’re dealing with so many different variables that many of the general notions and theories regarding hitting variables and how they manifest in each player can probably be tossed out the window. Career norms might not run true to form.

Or they might. In that vein, let’s take a look at how some of the core Cubs players could perform based on three data points- 60 games from the start of the season, last 60 games (which will essentially approximate this year’s slate of games calendar-wise), and best 60 games.