Chicago Cubs Playoff Race Update
SteemSports Presenter: Scott Frank,@scottybuckets
With 25 games left on the regular season schedule, the Chicago Cubs sit 3.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the Central Division. The World Series winning Cubs have finally gotten control of a season that started off very slowly. After the historic championship season, the Cubs struggled to perform at the same level. But they are hitting their stride exactly at the right time.
The strength of the Chicago Cubs last year was their patience at the plate. They led the majors in on base percentage and that wreaked havoc on the opposing pitchers. They started off slow in this area this year and there was a direct correlation with their success. But they have been phenomenal in this area over the last 60 days and are now up to the 3rd best on base percentage in the league. That has translated into runs and wins.
This year, the Cubs have leaned on the home run ball. They have 6 players with over 20 home runs. They are led by Anthony Rizzo's 31 homer runs, Kris Bryant’s 25, Kyle Schwarber’s 24, Javier Baez 21, Wilson Contreras 21, and Ian Happ’s 20. If these bats can continue this pace, the Cubbies will be back in the World Series.
As far as the pitching goes for the Chicago Cubs, it has been good, but not great this year. The incredible seasons of Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta from 2016 aren't completely gone. Their record setting numbers aren't back but both pitchers are having good years. Lefty, Jon Lester, is having another solid season and new addition Jose Quintana has been a shot in the arm for the Cubs. It will be a difficult decision when the postseason gets here to see which 3 starters will get the nod.
The Cubs open up a 4 game series tomorrow against the 3rd place Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates are 7 games under .500 but are always a tough out for the Cubs. All Star Andrew McCutchen has crushed the Cubs over the last several years. If Chicago can get out of Pittsburgh with 3 out of 4 wins, then the Milwaukee Brewers will be running out of time.
Do the Cubs have what it takes to make it back to the World Series? Are you rooting for them or have they had their time in the sun already? Thank you for following @steemsports and you can catch me @scottybuckets Cheers!
It is great that they look strong to win the division at %82 chance. Also to make the playoffs at 99% chance.
Unfortunately they are only a 7% bet to win the World Series according to fivethirtyeight.com Boo! They're haters.
a very good post and can be made in an example.
Hoping all goes well for the cubs again this year as im going to a game in a few weeks.
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