Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds to play a three-game series – MLB News
As the 2012 regular season is nearing end for the Chicago Cubs, the club will have a lot to take pride in and improve. One such is Darwin Barney’s feat this season, having an errorless streak of 132 games entering Tuesday, September 18.
Be that as it may, there have been comparisons of this young player with the experienced and eminent Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds. The Gold Glove winner second baseman had 85 errorless games this season.
However, when it comes to the Chicago Cubs’ manager, he sees enormous difference between the two players’ outlook and approach of the game.
"I think they're very different second basemen," Cubs' manager Dale Sveum said. "We all know how flashy Phillips is. To go along with the flash, he backs it up and does a great job at second base. Barney is more traditional, fundamental, not as flashy. He still gets the job done as well -- as well as anybody has in a single season."
Darwin Barney has remained singularly different. Representing a team that is in building phase, the 26-year-old player has been contributing prolifically in almost all departments of the game for the Cubs.
In his 143 games this season so far, Barney has held an impressive .268 batting average in 496 at-bats, hitting six homers and 40 RBIs, having a .373 slugging percentage.
The two teams shall compete in three-game series starting Tuesday. It is at Wrigley Field that these two basemen will confront each other. Sveum senses the nature of this competition.
"Barney wants to show him, and [Phillips] wants to show he's the reigning Gold Glove guy," Sveum said. "That's just part of competition and playing against the other guy at your position."
Cincinnati Reds are all set to make it to the playoffs, while the Cubs want to end the season without having a record of 100-losses this season. Whether they succeed in this endeavour or not is something uncertain, but the rivalry of the two basemen, one of whom is very experienced and the other young, will be a treat to watch.
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