5.01.2016

Is this still a thing anymore??

It’s been a long time — too long — since I have posted.

***
Cubs storm out of the gate: Despite a two-game split with lowly Atlanta on Sunday, the Northsiders are off to an NL-best 17-6 start and are drawing comparisons to Cub teams from the early 1900s. All well and good: Theo Epstein, Joe Maddon, et al. are following through on the plan to try and bring a championship to the corner of Clark and Addison for the first time in 109 years.


Anchored by NL Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta (5-0, 1.00 ERA, no-hitter), the Cubs’ staff has a 2.39 ERA and a WHIP of 0.98. If the opening month is any indicator, though, the Cubs will need their pitchers to keep stepping up.

Sure, Anthony Rizzo has eight homers and 24 RBIs, but he’s hitting just .220. Addison Russell (.216) is also off to a slow start, and the same could be said for Kris Bryant (.287) as compared to last season, when he was the NL Rookie of the Year.

The loss of Kyle Schwarber — five HRs in nine postseason games lat year — to a season-ending knee injury cannot be underestimated. But what should be most alarming is the lack of production from Jason Heyward, anointed with an 8-year, $184 million deal to jump from rival St. Louis.

Yes, I am well aware that there are 139 games to play, but after Sunday, Heyward is 0-for-17 in his last five games. He’s hitting just .211 so far, has yet to homer and driven in 13. Defensive metrics aside, he’s averaged almost 14 homers and 52 RBIs through his first six seasons.

Standing 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, lefty bat? Hey, hey — that’s not nearly enough bang for the buck.

No comments: