June Was Just a Fluke

Chicago, IL- This year, it's not the Cubs year. The Front Office has continued to build for the future, as shown in the deal that sent Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland.

Through seventeen starts each in their year with the Cubs, Jeff Samardija was 2-7 with a 2.83 ERA, and Jason Hammel was 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA. Now, the duo has embarked in Oakland, where they are attempting to bring the Athletics to the playoffs.

Since Samardzija and Hammel have left Chicago, the Cubs have gone 2-8. The team has experienced a complete team breakdown in that time-frame. In those ten games combined, the Cubs have been outscored 67-36. Looking at that mark, it looks like the team will remain in the cellar for the rest of the year.

Trying to explain why this problem has endured is simple: the pitching staff has been depleted. Jake Arrieta, who is currently 5-1 with a 1.95 ERA in 13 starts, is the only pitcher on the team who has remained consistent all year.

Following his breakout 2013 season, Travis Wood has not been the same in 2014. Finishing 9-12 with a 3.11 ERA in 2013, this season he has gone 7-8 with a 4.96 ERA. He is allowing more runners on base, as evident in his 1.491 WHIP. Allowing more runners on the base paths, grants the opposing team the chance to score more runs. If Wood was able to have good command and good control, then he would be able to limit the amount of runners on the base paths.

Looking more at the rotation, another player is limiting the Cubs chances of winning. His name is Edwin Jackson, and he has been a disaster since he put on a Cubs uniform. This season has been no different from last season, as Jackson once again has a high ERA (5.64) and high WHIP (1.576). His last outing proved he is just getting worse, as he went only 3.2 innings, and allowed nine earned runs. Debates have been sparked about Jackson moving to the bullpen, but it's highly unlikely that move will prevail because Jackson is the most expensive Cub on the team at the moment.

Now with the departures of two veteran pitchers, the Cubs have turned to rookies once again. Kyle Hendricks, who was acquired in the Ryan Dempster deal, has been called up along with Dallas Beeler. Kyle Hendricks was having a solid season at Iowa, as he went 10-5 with a 3.59 ERA in 17 starts. However, he struggled in his Cubs debut, as he gave up four earned runs in six innings pitched. Dallas Beeler has already started two games for the Cubs, and has been solid. Despite the 0-2 record, his ERA is at 3.27.

With Kris Bryant coming up possibly next year, and some solid arms also possibly being acquired before the 2015 season, the Cubs might actually be able to pull off that 2015 World Seires victory predicted in Back To The Future Part Two.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)
-(All stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

The Debate Between RIzzo and Morneau

Chicago, IL- There's no doubt, Anthony Rizzo and Justin Morneau are both having phonemically bounce-back seasons.

Taking a look at Anthony Rizzo's numbers, it's clear that the first-basemen is on the rise. Batting .277 in 2014, he has been able to maintain a solid average compared to the .233 average he had in 2013. With the higher average, Rizzo's on-base percentage has increased from .323 to .383 in one year. The 19 home runs already hit out of the park thirteen games before the All-Star game proves that Rizzo is on pace to hit more than 23, which was his total in the 2013 season. Above all, Rizzo's ability to bat .289 against left-handed pitching this year shows that Rizzo is turning into a cornerstone first-basemen for the Cubs.

After suffering from injuries the last few seasons, the road didn't look bright for the Justin Morneau in the future. He didn't look like himself in the 2013 season, as he batted a combined .259 with 17 HR and 77 RBI in 152 games with the Twins and the Pirates. Heading into the 2014 Off-Season, it looked like the only way Morneau was going to have a chance of regaining his 2006 MVP form was in Colorado. So, the Rockies took a chance on him with a 2 yr./20 million dollar deal, and it has worked out marvelously. Morneau is not only hitting at home (.321 batting average), but also on the road (.303 batting average). Like Rizzo, his home run count, which is at 13, is bound to pass the 17 home runs he had last year. One factor that is dramatically different from Rizzo, is the number of runs he's driving in comparison to last year. Morneau is already batted in 59 runs, and according to FanGraphs Steamer he's on pace for 93 RBI. Slugging-wise, Morneau has improved from a .312 SLG percentage in 2013 to a .855 SLG percentage in 2014. It looks like the move to the Rocky Mountains has surly paid off for the Rockies and Mr. Morneau himself.

So who deserves the final vote? Both first-basemen have been having wonderful rebounds, but there are deciding factors while looking at key statistics. Without playing at Coors Field for a portion of a season, Rizzo still has more home runs than Morneau. However, Morneau has a better batting average and more RBI than Rizzo. But Rizzo has a better on-base percentage too. It's not my decision who makes the trip to Minneapolis, but I will definitely cast my vote to the man who is known for his career in the Twin Cities.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)
(All stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com unless noted.)

Samardzija and Hammel Have Been Shipped to Oakland

Chicago, IL- It was only a matter of time, but Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel were dealt to another team today.

Both Samardzija and Hammel were included in a trade to the Oakland Athletics for Addison Russell, Billy McKinney, Dan Straily, and a player to be named later.

So far this season, Samardzija and Hammel have had career years. Jeff Samardzija currently has an ERA of 2.83, which is the best of his career as a starter. He is under control until the end of the 2015 season. Meanwhile, Hammel has maintained an ERA of 2.98 and a WHIP of 1.02.

In exchange for the veteran starting pitchers the Cubs are sending, they get some young players in return. The key piece of this deal is Addison Russell, a shortstop who was taken eleventh overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. He is currently at AA, where he has hit .333 with 1 HR and 8 RBI in thirteen games. Another first round pick, Billy McKinney, has been included in the deal. The 24th overall pick in the 2013 draft, is an outfielder currently batting .241 with 10 HR and 33 RBI in 75 games at A+. Before this season, he hit .326 with 3 HR and 26 RBI in 55 games between Rookie and A-. Dan Straily, who won ten games for the Athletics in 2013, is currently at AAA. At the Major League level this season, he went 1-2 with a 4.93 ERA in seven starts. Currently, the twenty-five year old right-handed pitcher is 4-3 with a 4.71 ERA in ten starts for the Sacramento River Cats.

Adding Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel gives the Athletics some quality starters to go along with Scott Kazmir, Johnathan Gray, and Tommy Milone. This move could move could shift Jesse Chavez and Brad Mills to the bullpen. Acquiring Addison Russell gives the Cubs another talented shortstop behind Starlin Castro and Javier Baez on the depth chart. Billy McKinney could become an outfielder for the Cubs in a few years. Dan Straily is a pitcher similar to Jake Arrieta, as a change of scenery might help him stick at the Major League level.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)
-(Stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

Could the Cubs Climb Back Into Contention?

Chicago, IL- On the fourth of July, the Cubs currently stand at 37-46. They are nine games under .500, which is an indicator that the Cubs are possibly out of a playoff race. However, there are factors that could explain why the Cubs could make a remarkable comeback into contention.

Looking at the performance of the Cubs in June, it was impressive. For a team that was 20-33 at the end of  May, the expectations were suppose to be another disappointing season for the Loveable Losers. Dusting the rust off their shoulders, the Cubs actually played as one of the best teams in the National League in June. They started the month with a loss against the Brewers, but then immediately went on a five-game win streak. On that win streak, they swept the Mets and took two of three from the Marlins. Next in a series against the Pirates on the road, they lost three of four. But that low point didn't last long, as the Cubs split a four-game series with Phillies in Philadelphia right after. Following the series against the Phillies, the Cubs took two of three from the Marlins in Miami. Despite all these great stretches, the Cubs hit a slump coming back home in two NL Central division series against the Pirates and Reds, where they lost a combined four out of six games. The last series at Wrigley for the month, the Cubs split two games apiece with the Nationals (the two losses came on a doubleheader day). Ending the month on a high note, the Cubs beat the Red Sox in a 2-0 victory on June 30.

While the 15-13 record was marvelous, a few performances really stood out for the Cubs looking forward. First, the bullpen improved dramatically with solid contributions by Neil Ramirez, Carlos Villanueva, Wesley Wright, and Hector Rondon. Neil Ramirez showed some promise, as he claimed a spot in the bullpen after the departure of Jose Veras. Villanueva had an impressive month, going 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA in nine games. Wesley Wright was even more impressive, as he did not allow an earned run in ten games. Hector Rondon converted four saves out of five opportunities. Also a part of the pitching staff, some starters stood out in the rotation. Jake Arrieta continued his breakout season, as he went 4-0 with a 0.92 ERA in six starts. His last two starts were impressive, as he carried no-hitters deep into the game against the Reds and the Red Sox. Travis Wood loosened up from a tough beginning to his season, as he went 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA in five starts. Also, Jason Hammel had a solid 3.45 ERA in five starts. Some bats stood out such as Luis Valbuena, Starlin Castro, and Anthony Rizzo. Valbuena continued to put up strong numbers in his breakout season, as he hit .275 with 2 HR and 8 RBI. Starlin Castro (.296 average with 4 HR and 21 RBI) and Anthony Rizzo (.295 average with 7 HR and 16 RBI) both kept improving their bounce-back seasons in June.

With the good, comes the bad, as some Cubbies brought the team down during the hot stretch. Despite the good save conversion rate, Hector Rondon finished the month with a 9.35 ERA. After a hot start, Jeff Samardija started to cool off, as he had a 5.45 ERA in the month of June. Edwin Jackson did what he does best, as he brought the team down again with a record of 2-3 and a 6.23 ERA in five starts. With Wellington Castillo on the disabled-list, the Cubs had a dilemma at the catcher position with John Baker and Eli Whiteside starting behind the plate for most of the month. Moving on to the offensive side of the game, players such as Junior Lake and Nate Schierholtz carried over their struggles from the beginning of the season into June. Schierholtz hit .195 with 2 HR and 13 RBI, and Lake batted .190 with 3 HR and 6 RBI.

Adding up the positives and negatives, the Cubs seem to have more promise than disappointment heading into the second half of the season. The Cubs are finding ways to win with clutch hitting. The bullpen is putting the pieces together, and now stands ranked at ninth in MLB according to ESPN. The Cubs may be 12.5 game out of the NL Central division lead, but are only 8.5 games out of a NL Wild Card. Now coming off of a sweep of the Red Sox, the seats should start to fill up, as the Cubs are becoming entertaining once again on the North Side.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)
-(all stats courtesy of MLB.com)

Cubs are Aiming to Portray the House That Theo Built in Boston

Chicago, IL- It's not the first series, but the second series against the Red Sox that Theo Epstein will be spectating from the other side of the dugout as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

When Theo departed from Boston in the 2012 off-season, he left a legacy behind. He successfully ended the "Curse of the Bambino" with a 2004 World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Winning the World Series ended the 85 year drought of no World Series championships for the Boston Red Sox. Players like Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, Johnny Damon, and Curt Schilling helped bring a championship to Boston. Moving on three years later, Epstein's team managed to win another World Series. In 2007, The Boston Red Sox beat the Colorado Rockies in four games to earn their eighth World Series championship in franchise history. Josh Beckett, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Dustin Pedroia were some names on that 2007 championship team. Both championship teams were managed by fan-favorite Terry Francona. Despite all the grand accomplishments Theo completed as the General Manager, he left the team after a disappointing season. At the beginning of September of 2011, the Boston Red Sox entered the month with a record of 83-52. However, September was a nightmare, as the Red Sox went 7-20 in the final month of the season. Players such as Daniel Bard (10.64 ERA in September), Andrew Miller (11.70 ERA in September), and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.162 average in September) were key contributors to the disappointing finish. The one to blame for this mess was,Terry Francona, who was fired at the end of the 2011 season. Finishing the year in an ugly slump, allowed the Yankees and Rays to make postseason berths. The Yankees ended up winning the AL East, and the Rays won the AL Wild Card. About the end of his tenure in Boston, Theo told the Daily Herald, "With some time and perspective, I think the way it ended was the way it ended. When you're somewhere for 10 years, there are going to be great moments, and there are going to be painfully disappointing moments."

Coming to Chicago, Theo realized it was not going to be a simple task rebuilding the franchise. Along with Theo Epstein, the Cubs brought in Jed Hoyer and his assistant Jason McLeod. In an interview with the Chicago Sun Times on October 3, 2012, Theo said,"We have a plan and a vision, and it's not going to happen overnight." That plan/vision for rebuilding the Cubs revolves around the following: trading veterans for prospects, choosing smart draft picks, looking overseas for good players, and building a core around Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo.

During the course of two and a half seasons under Theo's control, things have been wonderful not on the Major League field, but down on the farm. So far the front office of the Cubs have watched their Major League club go a combined 161-243. The record has not been the only bad thing the Cubs have endured on the Major League team, as there has been some bad free agent signings and managerial decisions. One free agent signing that has gone downhill for the Cubs  is the signing of Edwin Jackson, as he has not been worth the 4 yr./52 million dollar deal that was handed to him in the 2013 off-season. The first manager hired by the new regime, Dale Svuem, was fired after two seasons due to poor development and coaching abilities. However, Rick Renteria, the new Cubs manager, has been able to get the most out of his roster along with the help of his coaching staff. Chris Bosio has done an outstanding job with pitchers such as Jason Hammel and Jake Arrieta. Bill Mueller, a member of the 2004 World Series championship team, has revived the careers of Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo in his role as a hitting coach.

With all the work being put in to fix the Major League team, the Minor League teams have had a great reconstruction too. Kris Bryant, who was the number two overall pick in the 2013 draft, has been tearing up every level of the Minor Leagues so far. Kyle Hendricks, who was acquired in the Ryan Dempster deal, has been outstanding  for Iowa these season, as he has a record of 9-5 and an ERA of 3.52 in 15 starts according to baseball-reference.com. Manny Ramirez, who was brought in to help at Iowa, has really helped some major bats turn their game around. Javier Baez, who struggled to begin the season, is hitting .265 with 4 HR and 21 RBI in the month of June according to baseball-reference.com. In an interview with the Des Moines insider, Kris Bryant said of having the leadership brought by Manny Ramirez, "I think it's a good resource for all of us, and we're all picking his brain here." Down at the levels such as AA and A+, other prospects have been producing. Albert Almora, the Cubs first round draft pick in the 2012 draft, has hit .259 with 3 HR and 37 RBI in 71 games at Daytona  according to baseball-reference.com. Hammered by injuries so far this season, Jorge Soler has hit a combined .410 with 1 HR and 11 RBI in 12 games between Rookie level and AA according to baseball-reference.com. Once he comes back from the disabled-list, the Cubs hope he can keep up the production.

Comparing the Cubs and the Red Sox, there are many similarities and differences. Both clubs play in old ballparks that have undergone changes to modernize the facilities. In an interview with the Daily Herald about having the ability to work in two old-fashioned parks, Theo said, "I'm so lucky. I'm really a traditional at heart, baseball wise." A major difference between the Cubs and the Red Sox though is the consistency of winning ballgames. When Theo & Co. took over the Red Sox, they took over a team that just finished a season with a record of 95-67. The same can't be said for the Cubs, as they haven't had a winning record since the 2009 season. However, it's not the time for the new regime to focus on the past, as the future is what is at stake for the Cubs. The World Series championships in Boston will always be a part of the regime's heart and mind, but the objective now is to make the Cubs break a long drought of a World Series championship like the 2004 Red Sox team.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Dallas Beeler to Make Debut in Game One of Doubleheader

Chicago, IL- Today, Dallas Beeler will make his Major League debut against the Washington Nationals.

 Beeler, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was drafted in the 41st round of the 2010 draft from Oral Roberts University. The 6' 5" 210 lb. right-handed pitcher started his career at Rookie level, where he went 0-3 with a 2.95 ERA in nine games. Beeler was promoted to A- in 2010, but only appeared in one game.

During the 2011 season, Beeler saw promotions to two levels of the Minors. He started the year at A, where he compiled a record of 1-1 with a 1.66 ERA in twelve games (eleven of those games were starts). Despite the nice start to his career,  Beeler struggled when he got to AA. In his first taste of AA, Beeler went 1-5 with a 4.53 ERA. Eventually, Beeler would remain at AA until the 2014 season. In the 2012 season, he went 6-7 with a 4.24 ERA. Having his season end early with a torn tendon in the middle finger of his pitching hand in 2013, Beeler went 4-2 with a 3.13 ERA in nine games. 

This year, Beeler has been at AAA, where he has a record of 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA in ten games. 

Regarding the atmosphere of his first start at the Bigs, Beeler told Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago, "They said just go out and enjoy it and have fun. That's the best advice you can give. They said breathe. That was the big one from everybody. Just get out there, take it all in, take a deep breath."

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(All stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

What Would A Trade Look Like If Hammel Goes To Seattle?

Chicago, IL- Many sources are inking a Jason Hammel trade to the Seattle Mariners. It could happen, as the Mariners are looking for another starter with Taijuan Walker and James Paxton on the disabled-list. Walker is close to making his return to the Major Leagues, but it's unknown if he will stay healthy. If Walker maintains his health, Hammel could give the Mariners a six-man rotation, or replace Chris Young's spot. Hammel is a better pitcher this year compared to Young (Hammel: 3.01 FIP and 1.018 WHIP v.s. Young: 5.14 FIP and 1.223 WHIP). 

A trade scenario could look very similar to the Scott Feldman deal:

Cubs send Jason Hammel (RHP) and Junior Lake (OF/SS/3B) to the Mariners for Nick Franklin (2B/SS/OF), Brandon Maurer (RHP), and Edwin Diaz (RHP).

In-depth look at trade pieces:

1. Jason Hammel: Hammel has been a very solid number two for the Cubs this season. Currently, he is 6-4 with a 3.02 ERA in fourteen game starts. 

2. Junior Lake: Lake has regressed from his 2013 season (.284 Avg in 2013 to .236 Avg in 2014), but in an increase in power has come (6 HR and 16 RBI in 2013 to 9 HR and 25 RBI in 2014). It's worth noting that Lake was rated #15 prospect in the Cubs system in 2012 by Baseball America.

3. Nick Franklin: Franklin has always been a stud in the Minors in the Mariners system. So far at Tacoma this year, he has hit .304 with 7 HR and 28 RBI in 43 games. However, Franklin has struggled at the Major League level when called up (.214 career average between 2013-2014). 

4. Brandon Maurer: Like Franklin, Maurer has never been successful at the Major League level. After being rushed up from AA last season, Maurer compiled a 5-8 record with a 6.52 ERA in 22 games (14 starts) with the Mariners. He was demoted earlier this season due to lack of success once again, but has been good at Tacoma (3.52 ERA and 1.435 WHIP in 10 games). 

5. Edwin Diaz: Diaz was rated #7 best prospect in the Mariners system heading into 2014 by FanGraphs. He is know for his above average control. So far this season for the Lumberkings, he is 2-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 13 games. 

How this trade will help the Cubs: Acquring Nick Fracklin would give the Cubs a second-basemen to build around. Brandon Maurer could prove to be a change of scenery pitcher like Jake Arrieta. Edwin Diaz could become a solid arm for the Cubs in the future. 

How this trade will help the Mariners: Slotting Jason Hammel would give the Mariners another quality veteran pitcher in their rotation along with King Felix, Hisashi Iwakuma, Roenis Elias, and Chris Young/Taijuan Walker. Junior Lake could be the right-handed bat the Mariners desperately need on the bench or in the lineup. If Lake is able to produce, he could play LF instead of Dustin Ackley, or SS instead of Brad Miller.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(Stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com, MLB.com, and MILB.com)

Kris Bryant Earns A Well-Deserved Promotion To Triple AAA

Chicago, IL- The future at the hot corner for the Cubs is making a name for himself quick, as Kris Bryant was promoted to Triple-A Iowa earlier this morning.

Thoroughout his short career in the Minor Leagues, Bryant has dominated at every level. After being selected second out of the University of San Diego in the 2013 MLB Draft, he was sent to Rookie Level. He only appeared in two games, batting .167 with a double in six at-bats. Shortly, he was sent to Low-A, and showed off his talent with a .354 average, 4 HR, and 16 RBI in eighteen games. He finished the season at High-A, slugging .333 with 5 HR and 14 RBI. One word to describe his short-showing in 2013 is impressive. 

During the Off-Season, Bryant played in the Arizona Fall League before Spring Training. As a member of the Mesa Solar Sox, Bryant was named the Most Valuable Player due to his performance of a .364 average with 6 HR and 17 RBI in 21 games. His teamed reached the Championship game too, but lost   2-0 to the Surprise. In Spring Training, Bryant hit only .111, but still had 2 HR and 4 RBI in 18 at-bats. All in all, it was a great warm-up for what was bound to come in the 2014 season. 

When Bryant was at Double-A Tennessee, he put up unbelievable numbers. He batted .355 with 22 HR and 58 RBI in 68 games. Also, he made an appearance in the SL Home Run Derby, where we won with a total of 16 HR. Even though he played in the hitter-friendly PCL, his numbers were no fluke because Bryant has always been known for his bat. Many don't see his future as a third-basemen, but if Bryant continues to improve his fielding along with the solid bat, he will find himself as a strong piece of the core in the Cubs infield along with Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro in 2015. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(Stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

Have No Fear, The Cubs Ace Is Here

Chicago, IL- Having an ace is a comfort zone for many teams in Major League Baseball. That guy at the top of the rotation stands out among his peers. That guy at the top of the rotation goes out there every fifth day, and maintains a level of consistency. That guy at the top of the rotation has the quantities of an ace.

However for the Cubs, the answer of who's an ace has been unsure for a great deal of years. The closest examples the Cubs have had to an ace in the last five years are Matt Garza and Ted Lily. Jeff Samardzija, is the Cubs ace as of today, but he doesn't have ace characteristics. He might have the ability to rack up the strikeouts (8.9 K/9 rate as a starter from 2012-2014), but he doesn't have the ability to limit the damage (4.17 RA9 average from 2012-2014). An ace doesn't give up runs like a mediocre pitcher, and that's why the Cubs don't feel he is worthy of a contract similar to the one the Dodgers gave to Kevin Brown (7 yrs./105 million). Now, Samardzija will probably be traded at the July 2014 trade deadline, but it's okay to let him go because the Cubs will receive a nice package of prospects for the overrated "ace". 

After dealing Samardzija, the question will occur again of who will be the ace of the Cubs staff? Edwin Jackson is a definite no-no as the team's number one. Travis Wood is a good pitcher, but isn't worthy of being ranked anything higher than a number three on a contending staff. While Jason Hammel has looked magnificent in a Cubs uniform,  he has a mediocre track record, and also will likely be dealt along with Samardija. That means the answer comes down to one more pitcher: Jake Arrieta.

During his years with the Orioles, Jake Arrieta was not the outstanding pitcher he was supposed to be in a not-so-friendly AL East. It wasn't until he came to the Cubs in the Scott Feldman deal last season that he looked solid. Coming to the National League has made Arrieta's career very similar to Chris Carpenter. Like Arrieta, Carpenter pitched in the AL East, but he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. As a member of the Cardinals, Carpenter's numbers were 95-44 with an ERA of 3.07. It's also worth  noting that he won the Cy Young award in 2005 when he was thirty-years old. One odd thing is that both players came to their new teams when they were twenty-seven years old. If Arrieta can be like Carpenter, the Cubs may have found a treasure for years to come.

So far in his Cubs career, Jake Arrieta has changed his game around. His walk numbers have improved (4.2 BB/9 in 2013 with Cubs compared to 2.9 BB/9 in 2014 with Cubs), and also his strikeout numbers (4.2 K/9 in 2013 with Cubs compared to 9.2 K/9 in 2014 with Cubs). Despite the great improvements on his approach to hitters, Arrieta has limited the damage like an ace (3.07 RA9 with Cubs 2013-2014). Moving forward, the Cubs should label Arrieta as their ace because he truly is one. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(All stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

Anthony Rizzo Is Turning That Frown Upside Down

Chicago, IL- Slumps are something all baseball players don't like to endure. Whether it's not making solid contact with the ball or losing the ability to recognize pitches, all good players fix their holes at the plate sooner than later. Like a good player, Anthony Rizzo has turned his woes around to the other side of town this season. 

Coming off of a successful 2012 season in which he hit .285 with 15 HR and 48 RBI, Anthony Rizzo hit rock bottom in the 2013 season. Unlike the 2012 season where he had a BAbip of .310, Rizzo's luck with balls in play fell to .258 last season. His strikeout rate also increased from 16.9% to 18.4%, which proves that Rizzo's ability to adjust to the ball coming towards him got worse. Despite all the bad things, Rizzo improved in areas such as taking walks (7.3% to 11%) and turning hits into extra bases (8.2% to 9.4%). Even though Rizzo might have progressed in some areas, the 2013 season is still something he'd like to put in the past.

So far in the 2014 season, Rizzo has looked like a completely different ballplayer. His BAbip has re-surged to .305, and his walk rate is at 16%. Along with those key improvements, the Cubs first basemen has returned to the powerhouse he was back in 2012. Currently, Rizzo leads the Cubs offense in HR (12), RBI (33), R (39), OBP (.401), and OPS (.887). Carrying the Cubs offense this season, Rizzo looks very similar to a player such as Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds. One thing worth noting is how Rizzo is actually hitting lefties. During his career in the Major Leagues, Rizzo has hit .216 against lefties, which is not very good for an everyday player. However, Rizzo has tuned his batting average against left-handed pitchers to .333 in 2014. With his great defense at first and improved approach at the plate, Rizzo is really transforming into the franchise player the Cubs had hoped for when they brought him over from San Diego. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference)

Should The Cubs Acquire Jordan Pacheco?

Chicago, IL- The Cubs were struck a blow to their offense on June 3, 2014 when Welington Castillo was placed on the 15-day DL for left rib cage inflammation. According to Baseball Reference, the backstop was hitting .242 with 5 HR and 21 RBI before his injury. He showed a lot of promise last year when he hit .274 with 8 HR and 32 RBI. Even though his production has decreased this year, he is a vital key of the Cubs offense.

According to the Cubs, they will carry a temporary replacement of John Baker/Eli Whiteside. John Baker has been the Cubs backup catcher all year, but he is not starter material in any way. Baker has provided solid defense behind the plate, but his woes are with at bat in his hands, as he has maintained an awful .148 average with 0 HR and 3 RBI. When Baker needs an off-day, his replacement is far worse than he is. Eli Whiteside, who is well known for catching Jonathan Sanchez's no-hitter, has not appeared in a Major League Baseball game since 2012. His statistics this year at AAA explain why Whiteside has not seen Major League time in awhile. During his tenure down at Iowa, Whiteside batted .171 with 3 HR and 13 RBI. Having Whiteside as the backup catcher is like carrying Koyie Hill or Blake Lalli on the team. If the Cubs expect to stay competitive in games, giving Whiteside a start will hurt the team more than looking for other options.

For the Cubs to continue this duel at the plate, they are just wanting to lose ballgames. It's worth noting that on Cubs.com, Castillo's return date is to be determined. Instead of having to make a trade to find a suitable fix for the catching position, the Cubs could take a look at who's available on waivers. The one player the Cubs should look at is Jordan Pacheco. Pacheco, who has played for the Colorado Rockies, was designated for assignment on June 4, 2014. So far this year he has hit .236 with 0 HR and 8 RBI. While the Coors effect has worked for him (.296 average at home v.s. .200 average on road), he still would be a better option than Baker or Whiteside. The twenty-eight year old has showed promise, as he hit .309 with 5 HR and 54 RBI in 2012 in 475 at-bats during the 2012 season. Like many players, a change of scenery could be just what Pacheco needs. Giving him the starting catcher job would see what he's capable of, and move Baker back into the role that suits him best. If Pacheco tends to be capable of providing offensive and defensive production, he could be a nice asset on the Cubs bench for the future. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Cubs Add Another Bat With Schwarber

    

It's been official, the Cubs are choosing a position player again in the first round. With Brady Aiken, Tyler Kolek, and Carlos Rondon gone, the Cubs selected Kyle Schwarber . 

Schwarber, an outfielder and a catcher, is out of Indiana University. He is regarded as the best college hitter in the draft. In 2014, he hit .358 with 14 HR and 48 HR. It's also worth noting that he walked (44) more than struck out (30). 

Kyle should be a great bat alongside with Kris Bryant, Albert Amora, Javier Baez, and Jorge Soler in the Cubs system and future. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

A New Age For Cubs Broadcasting Is On The Horizon

After broadcasting Cubs games on the radio for ninety years, WGN's tenure with the Cubs has come to an end. A long term deal has been signed with CBS-owned station WBBM. 

WGN called it quits due to the loss of money coming from radio broadcasting Cubs games the last few years, and also the Cubs demand for new policies. Now, it's not time to think about the past.

Even though WGN has history with the North Siders, the Cubs have been looking to move on from WGN in all its forms of broadcasting the last few years. With mega deals being handed out to other teams around the league, the Cubs want to become a part of that ongoing trend of extra revenue. 

Acquiring a partnership with WBBM 780 AM is the first step in the Cubs new direction for broadcasting their ballgames. Next, the Cubs should be looking at a possible partnership with CBS for televised games. According to MarketWatch, CBS is a large corporation, and brought in a gross income of 6.01B last year. With the pool of money CBS has, the Cubs could become one of the richest ball clubs in Major League Baseball once again. 

This ongoing change might affect the nationwide attention for the Loveable Losers, but it will help the business of the Chicago Cubs grow. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Cubs Looking For Arm In The First Round

Chicago, IL- So far in the Theo regime, the Cubs have drafted hitters in the first round. In 2012, the Cubs selected Albert Amora with the six pick out of Mater Academy Charter School. In 2013, the Cubs picked Kris Bryant out of the University of San Diego. Straying a little bit from the offensive side of the game this year, the Cubs could look to choose the best pitcher available with their fourth pick in the 2014 draft.  

With Carlos Rondon and Brady Aiken likely being selected in the top three picks, the Cubs will have to look over at Tyler Kolek. Kolek, who could be a power pitcher in the Major Leagues, is currently attending Shepherd High School in Shepherd, Texas. While it could be risky to choose a pitcher out of high school in the first round, Kolek has all the tools to become an ace at the top of the Cubs staff. He has a fastball that can reach 99 mph (showcased at PG All-America Classic), a nasty slider, and a curve that needs some work. The 6'6" 245 pound right-handed pitcher looks like a must have for a Cubs farm system that is dim in pitching.

- Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Luis Valbuena Deserves to Keep Playing Third Base

In the past, the Cubs have been gifted with many successful third basemen. Players such as Stan Hack, Aramis Ramirez, and Ron Santo have held down the spot at the hot corner for many seasons on the North Side. However, since Ramirez signed a three-year contract to go play with the Brewers in the 2012 off-season, the Cubs have had a hard time finding a replacement for the player who was a two-time All-Star during his tenure with the Cubs. Kris Bryant looks like the future third-basemen of the Cubs, but at the moment the Boys in Blue might have found a good stop-gate. 

Luis Valbuena has been around in the Major Leagues for seven years now. According to Baseball America, Valbuena was once a Top 20 prospect in the Mariners farm system. His time in Seattle didn't  last long, as he was part of the deal that sent Franklin Gutierrez to Seattle. Also noted by Baseball America, Valbuena was a Top 10 prospect in the Indians farm system. That hype never transitioned to the big leagues for him, as he hit an average of .224 in three seasons playing for Cleveland. Eventually, Valbuena was traded to the Blue Jays for cash, but never was called up to Toronto during his tenure in the Jays system. He went to the Cubs on April 4, 2012, when he was claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays.

Coming to Chicago was another opportunity for Valbuena, as the Cubs needed a third-basemen due to Ian Stewart landing on the disabled-list. In his first season with the Cubs, he hit .219/.310/.340/.650 with 4 HR and 28 RBI. Last season, he hit .218/.331/.378/.708 with 12 HR and 37 RBI. With those two bad seasons in the books, the Cubs still gave Valbuena another chance to play in the 2014 season.

Going into Spring Training  for 2014, there was actually a battle for the Cubs third-basemen job. Luis Valbuena was coming off of winter ball time in Venezuela, while Mike Olt was ready to make an impact in the Cubs lineup after coming over from the Rangers in the Matt Garza deal. Eventually, both players were granted roster spots on the Cubs 25-man roster, and so far this season both players have been sharing time at the hot corner. Through forty-seven games played this season, Valbuena has hit .263/.384/.436./.820 with 3 HR and 12 RBI. It's also worth noting that Valbuena has started fourteen games at second-base. On the other hand, through 45 games Mike Olt has hit .165/.248/..402/.650 with 9 HR and 24 RBI. With Barney earning some playing time at second base lately, Olt or Valbuena have been pushed out of the lineup. While it is possible to just bench Barney, the Cubs offense need some better defenders like him on the field, as Castro and Olt have not been fielding well this season. A decision needs to be made soon on who gets the third base job, and this is how it should go: Mike Olt gets demoted to Iowa, and Valbuena starts to be the everyday third-basemen. This solution needs to be made because Valbuena is the Cubs best option at third base at the moment, and sending Olt down could help improve his game with less pressure around him.

- Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

- (Stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

The Curious Case of Tyler Colvin

Chicago, IL- Tyler Colvin is a familiar player all Cubs fans should remember. He was once a first-round draft pick when Jim Hendry was the general manager of the Chicago Cubs in 2006. While in Chicago, Colvin never truly got to prove himself in a Cubs uniform. Before the 2012 season, he was shipped off with DJ LeMahieu to Colorado for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers. Now at the age of twenty-eight, Colvin finds himself in a Giants uniform. 

Coming up for the Cubs, Tyler Colvin was suppose to be the next great thing in the heart of the Cubs lineup. He made his debut on September 21, 2009, and went one for three with a single and sacrifice fly. He went on to play in 2010 in 395 plate appearances, but was derailed by a broken bat injury that punctured his lung. After missing the rest of the 2010 season, Colvin came back to play in 2011. He struggled in 222 plate appearances, as he slashed .150/.204/.306/.509 with 6 HR and 20 RBI. 

After the poor numbers on the North Side, Colvin found a resurgence in Colorado. In his first year he appeared at the plate 452 times, as he hit .290/.327/.531/.828 with 18 HR home runs and 72 RBI. However, Colvin fell to earth again in 2013, as he hit .160/.192/.280/.472 with 3 HR and 10 RBI in only seventy-eight plate appearances. He was outrighted off the Rockies on September 4, 2013, which lead to him becoming a free agent on October 1.

Recently, the Giants gave Colvin another chance to make a name for himself at the Major League level. They signed him on February 22, 2014 to a minor-league deal, and he was sent to AAA Fresno. There he slashed .267/.315/.408/.724 with 2 HR and 16 RBI, which earned him a call-up on May 11, 2014. In his first game with the Giants in San Francisco, he hit a home run which ended up in the Cove, and hit a two-run triple. Now, Colvin is batting .295 with 1 HR and 7 RBI in a span of fifteen games. Playing for the first-place Giants, Colvin might be finally able to find some success. Only time will tell, but the spark could light at any second for any ball player. That spark might finally come for Tyler Colvin, as he is in the prime of his career.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(All stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

Samardzija Gets Plenty Of Support In His First Win

Chicago, IL- It took Jeff Samardzija eleven starts, but he finally sealed a victory in the Cubs 8-4 win over the Giants.

Recap: The Giants scored first off of the Cubs in the first inning as Pablo Sandoval hit an RBI single with two outs. Two innings later, Nate Schieholtz tied up the game with a solo shot. Once again, Sandoval gave the Giants the lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth. However, the Cubs struck back in the top of the fifth, as they took a 4-3 lead with a sacrifice fly by Darwin Barney,  an RBI double by Jeff Samardzija, and an RBI triple by Emilio Bonifacio. The Cubs pondered again in the sixth with RBI singles by Wellington Castillo and Darwin Barney. The last two runs scored by the Cubs came in the seventh when Anthony Rizzo hit an RBI double, and Luis Valbuena hit an RBI single. The Giants scored their last run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Brandon Crawford, but it didn't win them the game. 

Pitching Duel: Jeff Samardzija had another good outing for the Cubs, as he went seven innings, gave up six hits, four runs, three earned runs. and struck out ten. A notable part of his performance was that he struck out the side in the bottom of the second. Justin Grimm and Neil Ramirez relieved Samardzija with two innings of shutout ball. On the other hand. the Giants pitching struggled as a whole. Yusmiero Petit only went five innings, gave up six hits, four earned runs, and struck out five. David Huff, who came on in relief for Petit, was worse on the mound. Huff only went 1.1 innings, gave up seven hits, four earned runs, and collected one strike out. George Kontos, Javier Lopez, and Juan Gutierrez all pitched a combined 2.2 shutout innings to slow down the Cubs offense. 

Hot/Cold Hitters: The Cubs offense was hot today, as Bonifaicio, Rizzo, Valbuena, Castillo, Schierholtz, and Barney went a combined eleven for twenty-five with six runs batted in. Starlin Castro was cold at the plate, going 0 for 4 with a strikeout. The Giants got some good production from Pablo Sandoval, as he went two for four with three runs batted in. Hunter Pence and Hector Sanchez both went 0 for 4 for the Giants. 

What's Next: Game two of this three-game series is tomorrow with first pitch at 9:15 PM CT. Jake Arrieta will square off against Tim Hudson. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Manny Makes A Return To Baseball

Chicago, IL- Manny is back in baseball, but this time he's not going to be on a Major League roster.

The Cubs officially signed Manny Ramirez to be a player-coach for the Iowa Cubs. Ramirez will "coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects" according to Theo Epstein. Manny believes he can "pass on to the next generation, both what to do and what not to do" in regards to improving at the game of baseball.

Before taking on this new role, the forty-one year old spent his career with the Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers, White Sox, and Rays. He has been an All-Star twelve times, and has won two World Series championships. He's a member of the 500 home run club, and also the 1800 RBI club. On top of all of that, he has won nine Silver Slugger awards. He has a career .312 batting average along with a .411 on-base percentage. 

Despite the hall-of-fame numbers, Manny has been suspended twice for performance-enhancing drugs. He likely will not be inducted into Cooperstown, but his legacy will be remembered in baseball fan's minds. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

-(All stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com)

Preview: Cubs At Giants May 26, 2014

Chicago, IL- Today is game one of a three-game series between the Cubs and the Giants in San Francisco.

Outlook for the Cubs: With a split series in San Diego, the Cubs will come into San Francisco today with the opportunity to sweep all three games from the first-place Giants. Jeff Samardzija will look to earn his first win of the season today. The right-handed pitcher is 0-4 with a 1.46 ERA. Mike Olt will get the day off , as Luis Valbuena gets the start at the hot-corner today. John Baker caught last night for the Cubs, and Wellington Castillo is back in the lineup today. The Cubs will look for their backstop to continue his good numbers against the Giants pitchers today. He has a .417 average against the Giants current staff in his career. 

Outlook for the Giants: The Giants are coming off a sweep against the Twins, and all the positive energy is running in their veins in the NL West. Yusmiero Petit will get the start today, as he is 3-1 with a 4.76 ERA. A lineup for the Giants has not been announced as of this writing. 

News for the Cubs: The Cubs will be getting some right-handed power back on the bench today, as Justin Ruggiano will return from the disabled-list. Ryan Kalish has been sent down to AAA despite a .242 batting average. As noted by Jesse Rogers, Kalish wants to get at-bats down at AAA, and hopefully contribute to the big league team soon. 

News for the Giants: Matt Cain was originated to start today, but he is resting due to a a hamstring injury. 

- Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

-(All stats courtesy of ESPN.com and MLB.com along with photo credits to Rueters and Thearon W. Henderson of Getty Images)

Idea Destinations For Jeff Samardzija

Chicago, IL- There haven't been many highlights for the Cubs this season. The good news is Starlin Castro, Jeff Samardzija, and Anthony Rizzo have continued to bounce back following poor seasons from all of them. Castro and Rizzo remain to be two core players for the Cubs, but Samardzija doesn't look like he's part of that future anymore. 

It's not his talent this year that's affecting his future, but his age. Jeff Samardzija is halfway through his prime this season, and he's built along with players that are suppose to be stars in three or four years. Jeff realizes this, and that adds to his decision on why he hasn't been extended by the Cubs. It's clear Jeff wants to play for a contender now, and not when his production will decrease.

Currently, Samardzija's value is at sky high with his MLB-leading 1.46 ERA. Some trade ideas for Shark could be these:

1. New York Yankees: It's clear that the Yankees need some starting pitching to compete in the AL East with Sabathia, Nova, and Pineda on the disabled-list. Jeff could give the Yankees another ace along with Tanaka. The Cubs would probably want a package with guys such as Adam Warren and Gary Sanchez. 

2. Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays are another team in dire need of a starting pitcher with Brandon Morrow on the disabled-list. Aaron Sanchez would probably be a piece of a package for Samardzija. 

3. Oakland Athletics: With A.J. Griffin and Jarrod Parker out for the season, Sanardzija would give the A's another pitcher along with Drew Pomeranz, Jesse Chavez, and Scott Kazmir. Tommy Milone has struggled this season, and Samardzija would take his spot in the rotation. The A's have a good minor league system, so Theo could get guys such as Raul Alcantra. 

4. Seattle Mariners: The Mariners are a team just a few pieces away from truly being a contender. They have the pieces to help the Cubs with what they want. If this goes down, I see a trade like:

Cubs send Jeff Samardzija and Junior Lake

Mariners send Nick Franklin and Brandon Maurer (Possibly Tyler Pike)

5. Miami Marlins: The Marlins are a surprise team in contention, and need another front of the line pitcher now with Jose Fernandez out for the season. They could send over prospects such as Andrew Heaney.

6.  Colorado Rockies: The Rockies are a contending team with a great lineup, but an iffy rotation. Gettin Samardzija would help their rotation be closer to competing to rotations of the Giants and Dodgers. The Rockies could send over a pitcher such as Tyler Anderson. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

-(All stats courtesy of MLB.com and SB Nation)

Preview: Cubs at Padres May 25, 2014

Chicago, IL- 

Outlook for Cubs: The Cubs are looking to win only their fourth series of the year against the Padres today. They will send Jason Hammel to the mound in hope of adding win number six to his record. One player that has been heating up this series is Junior Lake, who is currently batting .273 in this series. The Cubs will be looking for Lake to keep contributing in the two hole today. Lately, the Cubs have been playing good baseball as of late, going 5-5 in their last ten games. However, the Cubs have a lot of ground to make up, as they are currently 18-29.  

Outlook for Padres: On the other hand, the Padres are trying to split this series. Ian Kennedy, acquired from the Diamondbacks at the Trade Deadline last year, will look to earn his third win this season. Getting Carlos Quentin back from the disabled list has been helpful to the Padres offense, as he's batting .385 with 2 HR and 4 RBI in only six games. He hit his second home run on the year last night, and the Padres are looking forward to more production from their cleanup hitter in today's game. Unlike the Cubs, the Padres are only 3-7 in their last ten games. They are close to .500 though, as their record stands at 22-28. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

-(All statistics courtesy of MLB.com)

Ricketts Wants Your Help To Preserve Wrigley

Chicago, IL- Officially celebrating it's one hundredth birthday on April 23, 2014, Wrigley Field is now known as a landmark. The area known as "Wrigleyville" creates a vast amount of income for the city of Chicago due to the tourist-attracting stadium along with the great bars, sports shops, and engaging communities. Even though the stadium is a great place to enjoy a ballgame, it's not a great place to play.

The Ricketts, the family who own the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball franchise, have been trying to renovate the stadium and the area for a few years now. They believe the stadium requires some upgrades like a video screen and more advertisement signs. With these upgrades, the stadium would collaborate more in the digital age of baseball, and boost the revenue the Cubs already make from the millions of people who attend Wrigley every year.

Even though the ideas sound great and have been approved by the city, there is one group of people who don't agree with the idea: the Wrigley Rooftop Owners. In a video released early this morning, Tom Ricketts addressed some major concerns for the state of Wrigley Field. His main concern was the rooftop owners not agreeing with the proposal brought to the city, but he also had some other major points.

For the players, Wrigley Field is not a ballpark they usually enjoy. Unlike the ballpark in Mesa, Wrigley Field is not up to code compared to other Major League Baseball Stadiums. The clubhouses are one factor that Mr. Ricketts points out in his message to Cubs fans. Due to the lack of batting cages near the clubhouse, players have to set up a tee and a net in order to practice their approach at the plate. It is very disappointing that a Major League Franchise has to use that practice in order to work on hitting. While all of the renovation ideas sound costly, Mr. Ricketts said he would cover all of the $500 million dollar expenses owed for an improved Wrigley Field.

In order to help persuade the Wrigley Rooftop Owners, the Chicago Cubs have set up a petition at the Wrigley Field website. With these new proposals, the Cubs might improve their chances of winning a World Series on the North Side.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Fans Say Farewell to Jeter At Friendly Confines

   

Chicago, IL- Around the league, many fans of baseball don't respect the Yankees. It's pretty reasonable why so many people hate the team due to the fact that the Yankees have won twenty-seven World Series championships, and maintain a team full of superstars everyday in the lineup. Whether a fan of the Yankees or not, respect has to be given to Derek Jeter. 

Through his nineteen-year career so far, Derek has maintained a .312 career average, became a member of the 3,000 hit club, been an All-Star thirteen times, won five World Series championships, been a World Series MVP, won a Rookie of the Year award, earned five gold glove awards, and has earned many other achievements to put him into Cooperstown. With all these accomplishments, he has only been with one team: the New York Yankees.

Announcing his retirement prior to the 2014 season, Derek Jeter showed no sad emotions. Many teams have given him gifts such as the number two from the scoreboard the Cubs gave to him yesterday. Like Mariano Rivera, Jeter has been a huge part of Yankee history, and many clubs will recognize his achievements as he plays on the road this year. 

Today, marks the last day Derek Jeter will appear in a game at Wrigley Field. So far this season, the fourty-year old had put together a .275 batting average with one home run and eight runs batted in. It's not like Jeter's usually numbers, but it's solid compared to many shortstops around the league this season. So before Jeter comes up to bat for the last time on the North Side in pinstripes, give him an applause for the entertainment he has brought to Major League Baseball and it's fans

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

-(Stats credited to baseball-reference.com)

Closing For The Future

  

Chicago, IL- The last few years, earning the save has been a difficult task for the Cubs closers. Carlos Marmol, Kerry Wood, Jose Veras, and Kevin Gregg are some examples of the shaky closers the Cubs have used before. To fix this issue that has been reoccurring, the Cubs have made some moves the last few years to find that ninth inning man for the future.

In Theo's first year of being President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs, he took a huge risk on a pitcher in a trade he made to the Braves. Sending Paul Malholm and Reed Johnson, Epstein knew these two were good players at the time, but needed a core player to build around for the coming seasons. In that trade with the Braves he acquired Arodys Vizcaino, a pitcher coming off of Tommy John surgery. It took awhile to recover, but Vizcaino finally appeared at Spring Training earlier this season. People realized he was a flamethrower, and could possibly be turned into the Cubs closer down the stretch. So far this season, he has appeared in thirteen games between A+ and AA with a .69 ERA and seventeen strikeouts in thirteen innings pitched. Vizcaino looks to have a promising career in the future if he remains healthy.

On the other hand, the Cubs might have their closer of the future at the big league level already. Hector Rondon, a Rule 5 Draft pick, was taken from the Cleveland Indians in 2012. Struggling last year with a 4.77 ERA and 1.409 WHIP, Rondon has really turned it around this year. So far this season, Rondon has an ERA of 1.33 and a WHIP of .984. Another thing to note is he is five-for-five in save situations. Just like Vizcaino, Rondon looks to have a promising career after coming back from Tommy John.

Down the stretch, it's going to be a tough call who gets the ninth inning in Chicago. Rondon might actually start to struggle soon, but the chances look unlikely. Vizcaino might also lose his charm, but that looks unlikely to happen too. No matter who becomes the future closer for the Cubs, these two look to be examples of the arms the Cubs are searching for to relieve their starters.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(All stats from baseball-reference.com)

Cubs Win Against Brewers Like Old Days

                                           

Chicago, IL- The Cubs came out today, and play liked the Cubs of 1937 in their 4-2 win over the Brewers.

Travis Wood struggled out of the gate early, but was able to put the first behind him after the tough inning. After getting Rickie Weeks out, Wood ended up walking Jean Segura. With two outs, Wood loaded the bases with walks to Johnathan Lucory and Mark Reynolds. Instead of capitalizing on the opportunity, Khris Davis hit into a ground-out to end the inning.

With the Brewers failing to capitalize in the top of the first, the Cubs followed the same path in the bottom of the first. With one out, Junior Lake was able to get on second with a double. However, Rizzo and Castro got out to end the inning.

After Travis Wood regained his control in the second to pitch a shutout inning, the Cubs were ready to score the bottom half. Luis Valbuena leadoff the inning with a walk, and Wellington Castillo gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run. The Cubs weren't able to do anything else in the inning, but came out of the inning with a safe lead.

The game kept cruising into the bottom of the third, as Travis Wood was pitching well against the Brewers. The Cubs decided to back up Wood more, as they scored another run in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Starlin Castro hit a double, and afterwards he came home on a Luis Valbuena RBI double. Castillo ended the inning with a fly-out, which left a runner on second, but the Cubs came out of the inning with a 3-0 lead.

With the Brewers still being cold in the top of the fourth, the Cubs continued to keep up the hot offense in the bottom of the fourth. Mike Olt leadoff the inning with a home run, which was a shot to left field. The inning ended shortly though, as they stranded Emilio Bonifacio at second base.

It took four innings, but the Brewers finally figured out how to score against Travis Wood in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Rickie Weeks ended up putting the Brewers on the board with a two-run home run after Logan Schafer doubled. That was all the runs the Brewers would get in the inning though, as Jean Segura was called out on strikes.

Neither team scored the rest of the game, but Hector Rondon was able to pick up his fifth save of the season. Travis Wood got the win, while Marca Estrada got the lost.\

Game Notes:
-At one point in the game Travis Wood retired ten straight batters

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Cubs Spoil Garza's Return To Wrigley

Chicago, IL- Edwin Jackson put on a show today, as he recorded eleven strikeouts in the Cubs 3-0 win over the Brewers.

On his return to Wrigley, Matt Garza didn't have the greatest outing of his career. The Cubs tallied all three of their runs in the first inning, as they got to Garza early. Emilio Bonifacio laid down a good bunt to lead off the inning, and it got him to first. Next, Chris Coghlan tried to do the same, but could only get Bonifacio to second. With runners in scoring position, Anthony Rizzo was the first to take advantage of the opportunity. However, he grounded out, but got Bonifacio to third. Then, Starlin Castro hit an RBI double to get the Cubs on top 1-0. Following the Castro RBI double, Nate Schierholtz walked. After, Wellington Castillo decided to give the Cubs some security with a two-run RBI double,as he put the Cubs on top 3-0. With all the offense producing, it was only a matter of time before the third out came on a strikeout by Mike Olt.

The Brewers offense wasn't special at all, as they only mustered four hits in the whole game. Edwin Jackson & Co. just shut them down the entire game. Edwin Jackson, who tossed seven innings, probably had his best start in a Cubs uniform, and the bullpen was able to back him up. Neil Ramirez provided some solid relief, as he pitched an inning with two strikeouts. Hector Rondon earned his fourth save for the Cubs this year.

Game Notes: 

-Edwin Jackson struck out eleven batters for the first time in two years during a start. The last time it occurred came on August 18, 2012 against the New York Mets. 

-After the victory today, the Cubs are 13-2 when leading after the sixth inning this season.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Matt Garza May Not Be A Cub Anymore, But That Doesn't Mean He Will Be Forgotten

Chicago, IL- Cubs baseball is a subject fans haven't liked to talk about the last few years. The Cubs have not had a winning season since 2009, and are currently in a rebuilding phase. The new front office for the Cubs, led by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, has made some significant trades to prepare for the future. Many of these guys are washed up veterans towards the end of the careers looking to contend for a title. However, the few that are not a part of the "Washed Up" category have been traded away to acquire bigger pieces. 

A lot of fans remember some of the moves made by Jim Hendry. Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez are all players who contributed to the Cubs offensively. Pitching wasn't really a spark for the Cubs in deals until Matt Garza came along. Matt Garza, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays, was part of a deal that consisted of seven players going between the Cubs and Rays in 2011. The Cubs received Garza, Fernando Perez, and Zach Rosscup in exchange for Chris Archer, Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos, Hak-Ju Lee, and Sam Fuld. While the Cubs lost key prospects in Archer and Lee, Garza brought some talent to the big league club during his tenure on the North Side. 

Matt Garza's career with the Cubs began in 2011 when he went 10-10 with a 3.32 ERA in 31 starts. He was a highlight of a Cubs team that lost ninety-one ballgames that year. His record really didn't show how well Garza pitched; as he threw 198 innings, struck out 197 batters, and kept his WHIP at 1.258. After that season, Garza experienced injuries the rest of his time in Chicago, but when he was healthy he was on. In 2012, the record wasn't great at 5-7, but he still had an ERA at 3.91 while dealing with injuries. He only made eighteen starts, but was effective at times like on April 29, 2012. On that day in Philadelphia, Garza went seven innings, pitched one hit ball, and struck out ten. It showed the reason why he was an ace in Tampa Bay, and why he also won an ALCS MVP award. Despite the iffy season in 2012, Garza turned his whole game around in 2013 before being shipped off to the Texas Rangers at the deadline. In eleven starts, he went 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA and WHIP of 1.141. 

The Garza trade at the deadline was huge for Texas, as they needed a starting pitcher to carry them into the postseason. They put together a package that Theo liked such as: Mike Olt, Neil Ramirez, C.J. Edwards, and Justin Grimm. Even though Garza was successful for the Cubs that year, it didn't carry over into Arlington. He went 4-5 with a 4.38 ERA. Now, Garza looks to find the success he once had, and leave the awful stay in Texas in the dust.

Garza, is someone Cubs fans will always remember. His smile and his cheer-leading skills are something the Major League team always enjoyed in the time of despair while Garza was a Cub. Garza might have hurt Cubs fans with his words to Samardzija about pitching his way off the team, but his comments were right. The men are heading into their thirties, and there is no spot for them in the future plans for the Cubs to contend. So while Garza pitches in that rival blue and gold jersey today, just remember that he once was a key part of why fans continued to have faith in the Cubs the last few years. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

(All facts and stats are credited to Baseball-reference.com, The Associated Press, and USA Today)

Preview: Brewers at Cubs May 17, 2014

Chicago, IL- Former Chicago Cub, Matt Garza, makes his return to Wrigley Field today. This time, he's in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform, which is not the sight the Cubs want to see. Garza was a fan favorite, and a good player in the locker room too. He will square off against Edwin Jackson in game two of this three-game series.

Matt Garza hasn't had that much success this season. Currently he is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA in eight starts. A free agent prior to this season, Matt Garza earned himself a 4 yr./50 million dollar deal with the Brewers. In today's start, he looks to improve his numbers, and prove to his team he's a legit top of the rotation starter. On the other hand, Edwin Jackson has been having a pretty successful season this far compared to last year. The right-handed pitcher is also 2-3, but has a lower ERA at 4.56 in eight starts.

Today's lineup for the Cubs is all focused around success against Garza. Chris Coglan is 4-5 lifetime against Garza, and that is a key part of why he is batting second. Another hitter who has success against Garza is Emilio Bonifacio, who has a lifetime batting average of .357 against him. The Cubs will look to depend on these two player's success hopefully carrying into today's game. Some bad news for the Brewers is that Carlos Gomez has been scratched from the lineup, and will be replaced by Logan Schafer. So far this season, Carlos Gomez has been an outstanding lead-off man for the Crew, and sadly today that number one spot will probably be weakened. The Brewers will hope that Herrera can provide some production today in Gomez's absence. 

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

5/16/14: Cubs Can't Play Fundamental Baseball In Loss To Brewers

Chicago, IL- Playing baseball with the proper mechanics, proper judgments, and proper techniques usually contributes to a win on the diamond. However, the Cubs failed to use the skills mentioned, and that is a key reason why they lost today 4-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers.

It didn't take Milwaukee long to score in the game, as they got to Jeff Samardija in the top of the first inning. After Logan Schafer hit into a ground-out, Jean Segura gave the Brewers their first hit in the bottom of the first with a single. With two outs, Segura was able to reach second on a wild pitch by Samardzija. The first run came on the board with an RBI single by Johnathan Lucroy. On the play he was able to reach second on an error by Junior Lake. Not soon after, the Cubs committed another mistake with a throwing error by Starlin Castro, which allowed Lyle Overbay to reach first. On that play, Jonathan Lucroy came home to put the Brew Crew on top 2-0. Khris Davis hit a single after the error, but Mark Reynolds ended the inning with a strikeout. 

Trouble came for Kyle Lohse in the bottom of the first, but it didn't build up anything besides hype. With two outs, Lohse walked Rizzo, which lead up to a single by Starlin Castro. On the play, Rizzo advanced to third by an error on Mark Reynolds. However, Luis Valbuena couldn't capitalize, as he flied out to end the inning.

The second inning didn't change for Samardzija, as he faced a rough inning again. Elian Herreran lead off the inning with a double. Kyle Lohse wasn't able to get a bunt down, but that didn't matter as Logan Schafer took his base after Lohse's at-bat. With runners on first and second, Samardzija threw another wild pitch, which allowed the runners to get to third and second. Jean Segura was able to capitalize with a two-run single, as the Brewers took a 4-0 lead. Before Scooter Gennett walked, Segura was caught trying to steal second. Jonathan Lucory ended the inning on a line-out. 

In the bottom of the second, the Cubs decided they were going to cut the lead. With one out, Nate Schierholtz singled. After, Darwin Barney hit a ball into the seats, which trimmed the lead to 4-2. Unusual, Jeff Samardzija, the pitcher for the Cubs, hit a single after Barney's home run. However, the Cubs couldn't produce on that single, as Emilio Bonifacio grounded into a double play to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third, the Cubs put more pressure on the Brewers again. Junior Lake leadoff the inning with a solo home run, which gave the Brewers a one run lead. After the home run, it looked like the Cubs offense was going to come alive. Anthony Rizzo followed through with a single in the next at-bat. Castro popped up shortly after, but Valbuena moved Rizzo to third with a single of his own. The Cubs let down the fans once more, as the inning ended on a double-play by Wellington Castillo.

The game ended with another save going to Francisco Rodriguez, the Brewers closer. The Cubs were not able to at least tie the game up, and bring it into extras. The Cubs ended up losing on the day they celebrated Babe Ruth's Shot Called with a bobble head tribute.

Game Notes:

- Babe Ruth's daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens, attended the game with her son today. Tom Stevens, Julia's son, sang the seventh inning stretch. 

- James Russell, Justin Grimm, and Jose Veras struck out seven batters in three innings combined. 

-The Brewers retired sixteen Cubs in a row heading into the bottom of the ninth during the game.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

                                          

Cubs and Cardinals May 14, 2014

Tonight's game has been postponed. No makeup date has been announced, but Hammel will start tomorrow. The rest of the rotation is pushed back a day.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Jose Veras Is Back...

Chicago, IL- Well it looks like everybody's favorite pitcher is back to the Major League club.

Jose Veras, who went to the fifteen-day disabled list for a left oblique strain, has made his return to the Chicago Cubs. Playing for the Smokies on a rehab assignment, he made an appearance in four games going 2-0. He gave up one hit, no runs, and struck out three in four 2/3 innings pitched.

So far this year Veras is 0-0 with a 15.88 ERA. He lost his closing role after blowing two saves. In his career he holds a 19-22 record with a 4.04 ERA.

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

5/13/14: Grimm Loses Control, As Cardinals Win In Extras

Chicago, IL- Coming off a huge win against the Cardinals, the Cubs disappointed last night in their 4-3 loss to the Cardinals in twelve innings.

Through the first inning, the game was all about pitching and defense. Arrieta racked up two strikeouts, while Wainwright got Anthony Rizzo to ground into a double-play. 

Things changed into the bottom of the second inning, when the Cubs looked to strike in the top of the second. After Starlin Castro grounded-out, Nate Schierholtz walked and Wellington Castillo hit a single. However, Junior Lake ended the opportunity to capitalize, as he grounded into a force-out. Eventually, the inning ended with a Darwin Barney fly-out. 

The bottom of the second changed for Arrieta as he lost his control. He started the inning striking out Yadier Molina, and getting Matt Adams to fly-out. Next, he gave up a double to Peter Bourjos due to Emilio Bonifacio tripping in center field. Mark Ellis and Adam Wainwright walked following the double, but Arrieta got out of a jam with a fly-out by Matt Carpenter.

Runs started to come on the board in the top of the third, as Luis Valbuena hit a two-run home run with Jake Arrieta on base. The inning ended soon after the two-run shot, but the Cubs went info the bottom of the third with a 2-0 lead. 

Once again, Jake Arrieta lost his control against the Cardinals going into the bottom of the third. He lead off the inning walking Jhonny Peralta and Matt Holliday.  Evantually, Yadier Molina singled, but the Cubs tagged Jhonny Peralta out at the plate. However, the Cardinals didn't wait to get on the board, as Matt Adams hit an RBI single in the next at-bat. Limiting the damage, Jake Arrieta got out of the inning striking out Peter Bourjos.

Arrieta was not able to go far into the ball game, as Carlos Villanueva came onto relief for the fifth and sixth inning. Villanueva got hit hard in the bottom of the sixth, as he lead off the inning giving up a single to Peter Bourjos. John Jay took a walk, and Bourjos stole third soon. Wesley Wright came in relief for Carlos, but couldn't hold the damage. With runners on first and third, Matt Carpenter reached on an error, and the ball game was tied. Jhonny Peralta gave the Cardinals a 3-2 lead when he hit an RBI single. Wright got out of the jam with Holliday and Craig hitting into ground-outs. 

Going into the ninth inning, the Cubs were down by a run. Trevor Rosenthal came in to earn a save, but couldn't do it. Rosenthal gave up a single to Junior Lake, and walked Barney to put a runner in scoring position for the Cubs. Emilio Bonifacio was clutch, as he tied up the game with an RBI single. However, Luis Valbuena blew the Cubs chance to take a 4-3 lead.

The Cardinals went into the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't come back. It took three innings of extras to win, but the Cardinals evantually did it. Justin Grimm came in to pitch the bottom of the twelfth, but couldn't give the Cubs another the opportunity. He gave up a single to Jhonny Peralta, and loaded up the bases with walks to Allen Craig and Yadier Molina. The game ended sadly for the Cubs, as the winning run for the Cardinals scored by Greg Garcia being hit by a pitch. 

Game Notes:

-ESPN stat people say it's the third time in the last decade Cubs have lost on a walk-off HBP. '07 (Marmol)  and '12 (Dolis)

-Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)

Preview: Cubs at Cardinals May 13, 2014

                           

Chicago, IL- The Cubs and Cardinals face off today after a dominant win by the Cubs. Today, the Cubs will look to earn a 2-0 lead in this series, while the Cardinals will try to even the series at 1-1.

The Cardinals should be worried today, as they face a pitcher they don't have much success against in the past. Jake Arrieta has only faced the Cardinals twice in his career, but both performances have been dominant. Last year, he threw seven shutout innings against the Cardinals in Chicago. His second start against the Cardinals came this year, when he threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Something worth noting is that in 12 1/3 innings pitched against the Cardinals, Arrieta has struck out fourteen Redbird batters. On the other hand, Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals starter, has not had much success in his career against the Cubs. Against the Cubs, Adam Wainwright is 9-7 with a 4.49 ERA. The two time all-star will look to rub the chip off his shoulder against the Cubs, and continue the great start he has had this season. Currently, he is 6-2 with a 2.02 ERA so far this season.

Last night, the Cubs came alive on the offensive part of the baseball. Emilio Bonifacio fell out of his slump with four hits in five at-bats. Junior Lake came alive with three hits in six at-bat, and also drove in six. Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro hit a combined four hits with six RBI. One shocker was Darwin Barney, who actually had three hits in five at-bats. The second-basemen is not normally known for his bat, but last night he showed what he can do. Despite all the solid performances in the lineup, Wellington Castillo continued to struggle. The backstop only went one for five, and his average dropped to .241. Hopefully, Castillo gets a few hits in today's game, and raises his average back up. The Cardinals offense wasn't so hot last night, as they only mustered six hits. Matt Holliday, Allen Craig, Yadier Molina, and Mark Ellis were the only batters who collected hits for the Cardinals. The Cardinals are a young team just like the Cubs, and need the kids to produce in order to win ballgames. 

- Daniel (DanielDoreCTC)