A Positive Offensive Stat the Cubs Lead In, But It Still Hurts

The Chicago Cubs are not a very good offensive team in 2020. End of story, right? Well… yeah… kinda. But there is an offensive stat that the Cubs do lead baseball in, and it is one that actually helps the offense.

That’s, HBP.

The Cubs have been hit by pitch 47 times in 2020. In contrast, the Colorado Rockies have only been plunked eight times and the Cubs pitchers have hit only hit 17 batters this season. In 2019, a full season, the Rockies were only hit 43 times and the Cubs have been plunked 47 in this 60-game season.

David Ross believes this is a quirk that can only happen in today’s game and not something that would be allowed to persist in years past.

“It was bothering me the other day that we lead the league in hit-by-pitches but we don’t hit anybody. That is something that is different. That’s just the old school in me.”

In today’s game, it is mostly frowned upon to hit batters purposely. I’m sure there are many that will claim that it is the p*ssification of America (if you’re in that sorta camp, but it should be considered the evolution of America) but really baseball has realized that a hardball traveling 100-MP is a weapon and what we’ve learned about the long-term impact of head injuries, hitting batters is just an incredibly stupid idea.

But, it is a bit concerning that the Cubs are being hit at a higher rate than other teams in the league. In fact, if you dial it back to the 2017 season, the Cubs have been hit 290 times, 20 more than the next team, and 144 MORE times than the last-place Rockies.

Perhaps this is attributed to where the Cubs hitters set up in the box? We all know Anthony Rizzo (hit 154 times in his career and 80 times in the last four years). But Willson Contreras leads the team, and league, in HBP in 2020 with 13 plunks.

I have a theory about this…

There have been several players, teams, and opposing announcers that have talked about how chirpy the Cubs are during games. Now, whether you think it is bush league or not, if you are up big or down, when you’re chirping at the other team (minimal evidence suggests this outside Trevor Bauer’s claims) it does get under one’s skin. I’ve played competitive baseball well into my 30s and I can attest, even if the other dugout is simply cheering on their club, it is irritating if you are down.

One of the brashest players on the club is Contreras. He chirps when in the dugout, he chirps when he’s behind the plate, he chirps when he’s hitting. He’ll stare down anyone, regardless of situation or stature. He’s the first to run out in defense and often is the cause for the need of defense.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bashing this as something the team tends to lack is that belly-fire that can spark a team when in a lull. But, that kind of personality is also often circled by opposing players (err… pitchers) and might find an extra ball or two come sailing a bit inside.

I wouldn’t suggest that the Cubs tighten their lips, in fact, I’d like to see them get louder again. I also don’t know if I would ask pitchers to hit others in retaliation, especially since the Cubs’ offense is lethargic and struggles to score runs and extra baserunners for the other team probably isn’t the best way to win ballgames right now.

This is likely a quirk in the game that the club will just have to continue to play through, as painful as it might be.