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The Chicago Cubs are off to their best start since 1907
The Chicago Cubs are off to their best start since 1907 when they started 16-4 in 20 games. Their 13-3, as of now. Could they do it?
The Chicago Cubs have started 13-3, the best in the entire league. In 1907, they started 16-4, tops in the league, as well. Will they get it? I don’t know. They have four games to go 3-1 and equal the record. But I know this–their hitting and starting pitching have been scorching. Don’t believe me?
The starting pitching has been immaculate. They’ve allowed a slash line of .193/.242/.294 with an OPS of .536–with a BAbip of .237. Plus, they’ve limited the WHIP to 0.902, with a tOPS+ of 66. The relievers, on the other hand? Better, but not perfect.
They’ve permitted an ERA of 6.47 in 48 2/3 innings. And a WHIP of 1.521 with an HR total of 11? (Six in 95 1/3 innings for the starters) Not so good. Plus a walk-rate of 1.66 and it doesn’t look good. But they’ve been improving–sort of. Rowan Wick, Jeremy Jeffress and Casey Sadler have settled in. The other parts of the bullpen have not. It’s on David Ross to stitch that together and make it work.
The Cubs’ Ian Happ has been money. Jason Kipnis, too. Happ has a slash line of .326/.456/.609 with an OPS of 1.065. He has three home runs (one behind Anthony Rizzo) and eight RBI. Kipnis in half the games played? Even better.
He has an average of .364, with two home runs and five RBI. Still, he has an OPS of 1.325 with an OPS+ of 251. Rizzo is still batting .222, but with an OBP of .391. Splendid.
"“You couldn’t ask for a better group of men to be in a room with, especially going through a pandemic here and trying to complete a season,” Cubs left fielder Schwarber said. h/t Tim Stebbins, NBC Sports Chicago"
Next. For the Cubs, patience is a virtue. dark
The Cubs are off to a stellar start, but they aren’t done. Win 40 games? Doable. But they have to stay focused. Historic? I don’t know about all of that. It’s 60 games. Most teams that go ‘on a run’ we’ll win that many. It’s a 162 that will decide it. But that’s for another season.