MLB Team Outlook: Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs have not had the most memorable season to this point. They seem to have a wayward approach and no defined targets. As the season enters into second half, chances of improvement are bleak, if any.
The Cubs are currently placed fifth out of a total of six teams in the National League Central Division with an unfortunate win-loss record of 39-59. The Cubs are 13.5 games behind division leaders Pittsburgh Pirates and 8.5 games behind fourth placed Cincinnati
Reds. Eradicating the substantial deficit and replacing the Reds at the fourth position will be a tough ask from this point onwards.
Their major weakness has been their inability at the mound and the subsequent inefficiency to control the flow of runs. The pitchers have leaked a massive 491 runs hitherto in this season, one more than last placed and league-worst Houston Astros. The pitching
fiasco has taken a toll on their batters and runs have not come in plenty either. Collectively, they have scored just 396 runs, taking the run differential to 95 runs in deficit.
The batting trio of Starlin Castro, Carlos Pena and Aramis Ramirez and starter Ryan Dempster together have supported the Cubs and helped them avoid total destruction.
Castro has been their star batter with 124 hits and 53 runs in 95 games. He boasts a batting average of .305 and has thus has been a key feature in the Cubs line-up. To his credit, he has been fit and in form for the entire season and the Cubs would want
him to continue this performance till the end. The results might not get affected but it will help build the team for the next season.
Carlos Pena is not renowned for big hitting but he has taken on the responsibility of home-runs this season with lack of hitters in the bull-pen. The first baseman has thus far amassed 20 home-runs and looks set to further improve upon this.
To accompany his homers are his 70 hits and 51 RBIs which have been critical for the Cubs. The team would not want to lose this talent to some other team and hence should give him responsibility of leading the batters along with Castro.
Aramis Ramirez is a charismatic player and is high on confidence even when the team is not performing as a whole. This is one reason other than his talent that he has managed 107 hits, 46 runs and 58 RBIs even when the Cubs are not performing that well.
The Pirates have their eyes on the experienced Ramirez and intend to tap him in as a “rental” player in an attempt for the playoffs this season. The Pirates do not intend to sign him for a longer term and Ramirez could accept the offer only if he feels that
he has had enough with the Cubs and now needs to move on.
Ryan Dempster is the only pitcher in the Cubs’ pitching staff who has displayed some bravery. He has a win-loss record of 7-6 and still is the best in Chicago’s roster, giving a glimpse of the depth of their pitching choices. Although he has struck-out 111
batters, he has an ERA of 4.68 which is just not considered much of in the Majors. Matt Garza has the best ERA in the Cubs’ pitching staff which too is not impressive at 3.80.
With not many positive hopes this season by the team and fans alike, the Cubs will be looking to utilise this time to build a winning strategy for the next season and vie for an improved showing.
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