Cubs: Three GREAT Things to Come Out of This Weekend
It has seemed like there wasn’t anything to celebrate for weeks when it came to Chicago Cubs baseball. The team was backing into the playoffs, they were playing well under .500 ball, they weren’t scoring, and their stars were struggling. Coming into the last weekend, did anyone feel good about the Cubs chances in the playoffs?
I mean, there’s always the token, “just get there and anything can happen,” but it’s difficult to believe anything can happen when there was one Cubs star (considered a star before 2020) hitting their weight. Like seriously, Willson Contreras was the only Cub hitting above his weight.
I personally chalk a lot of the poor performance up to this weird season. They all started like normal and were close to starting the regular season as always, then everything was shutdown due to COVID. They all went home and waited for months, then there was an ugly public negotiation, then they came back to this weird sheltered (and necessary) experience that was different than anything they’ve ever experienced. I understand that this is an excuse and fans tend to not have any patience for excuses, but this is what I chalk this up to.
While the last several weeks haven’t done much to instill confidence, these three things from this weekend should make you feel better about the Cubs playoff run.
Craig Kimbrel throwing straight GAS
Craig Kimbrel has looked extremely good over the past month. In fact, he hasn’t given up a run in September and has a WHIP of 0.41.
Craig Kimbrel has 13 K's in 7.1 IP in September.
His WHIP is 0.41 and his ERA is 0.00 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ymyvd3W5rh— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) September 27, 2020
In fact, not only has Kimbrel been great in September, he’s been one of the best relievers in the game since August 14th (covering his last 14 games). During this time he’s only given up 2 runs in 12.2 IP. He’s backed this performance up with 26 Ks and just 7 walks over this time. His 18.47 K/9 during this period is almost a full strikeout more than the MLB leader, the Milwaukee Brewers Devin Williams (17.67 over the full season).
To top all this off, Kimbrel threw his hardest pitches of the season Saturday evening, popping Victor Caratini’s mitt with pitches touching 99-MPH.
All of Kimbrel’s numbers are incredible over this time, posting a 1.42 ERA, 0.98 FIP, and 2.04 xFIP. These numbers aren’t only closer type numbers, these are damn near most dominate reliever in baseball numbers.
Sure, there’s the early season struggles that make you worry, but it seems any mechanical issue Kimbrel displayed through his first four appearances have been ironed out. If this is the Kimbrel the Cubs get in the playoffs, and all signs suggest it is, then there should be little fear of them navigating any high-leverage situations in the postseason.
Cubs offense clicking again
Before the final series of the season, the Cubs offense has been anemic. Scoring a total of 13 runs in eight games, there shouldn’t have been much confidence in this offense. As it is, the Cubs were averaging 4.2 runs a game, had a team batting avg of .220, which is 15 points lower than their previous worst average (had to go all the way back to 1892).
This last weekend the Cubs bats have come alive, posting 25 runs on the Southside. They posted 23 hits, including 8 HR. What was promising was several of the homers were hit to the opposite field, showing Cubs hitters were staying on balls late and putting good hard swings on them.
Cubs hitters have been criticized for overswinging all season. While the thought has been to hit balls in the air and really driving home the idea of launch angle, the Cubs have become somewhat predictable in their approach at the plate. This has caused opposing pitchers to be able to attack several of their hitters outside and low, causing them to swing through pitches.
We have also seen struggling Cubs stars start to come out of their funks. Javier Baez lifted his average 7 points the last weekend, Anthony Rizzo has lifted his OPS 42 points since Sept 20th, Willson Contreras had improved his average 32 points in September and his OPS 78 points. Then Kris Bryant doubled his HR and RBI total in the last weekend series.
This weekend Cubs hitters took what the opposing pitchers were giving them and drove balls to the opposite field. If this is an approach they continue to use in the playoffs, then they should be able to continue to post crooked numbers on the scoreboard.
Kris Bryant is having fun in a way we’ve never seen
Coming into Saturday night’s game, Kris Bryant has had a disappointing campaign. Not only has he struggled offensively, but he’s had a myriad of injuries which has limited his ability to remain on the field. But, you have to give him props for continuing to be gutsy, and attempting to push through these injuries to try and help his team.
Whether you think it’s coincidental or not (I don’t think it is) the Cubs played .617 ball with Bryant in the lineup and .500 ball without him.
I know that the official stat line won’t look kindly on Kris, but there’s something to be said about players being able to contribute in other ways. Bryant is the Cubs best baserunner. He never runs into outs, and he has the sprint speed to take an extra base on a hit. His ability to read a ball, understand where the defense is, and score from first on singles is something I haven’t seen from players of his stature.
You also have to credit him by making pitchers work. Sure his K% is up in 2020, but he’s making the pitcher throw four-to-six pitches seemingly every at bat. What’s more, these pitches are often high stress as the pitcher is facing Kris Freaking Bryant. There’s been many tests which show that a pitch thrown with pressure does much more to wear down a pitcher than non-stressful pitches. Just by coming to the plate, Bryant puts pitchers in higher stress situations.
He’s also played improved defense, posting a 1 DRS (-6 in 2019, -3 in 2018, -4 in 2017). This is what you tell players of all ages, if you are struggling in one area, contribute in others. Bryant continuously contributed in every other aspect of the game.
What I am personally encouraged most by is Bryant’s new demeanor. It seems to have been a long time since you watched Bryant and saw how much fun he was having. But before Saturday’s game, Rizzo approached Bryant and asked if he trusts him. He then presented KB with gold chains and proclaimed that he would have a great game.
Anthony Rizzo went with his gut.
NBC Sports
The way the Cubs first baseman tells it, he turned to Kris Bryant before the game Saturday, Bryant’s first back from a right oblique injury, and asked:
“Hey, you trust me, right?”
Then he led Bryant over to get Cubs quality assurance coach Mike Napoli’s two gold chains.
“There’s some magic in there,” said Rizzo.
Sporting some high socks, Bryant had a base knock in the second, with a seeing eye single to right. Then, with bases loaded, Bryant unloaded them with a blast into the field field bleachers.
After the game Bryant seemingly took his new approach to the post game interview, telling naysayers, “I don’t give a shit.” Something he repeated twice as he explained his thoughts on critics from social media.
Wait, I made it better… pic.twitter.com/AiRWPAjOLn
— Corey Freedman (@corey_cubs) September 27, 2020
It feels like Bryant has shed something since his last injury. Maybe he’s finally fed up with a fanbase that has shit on him while he’s played around 50% of his last three seasons injured. Maybe he’s fed up trying to appease fans when a vocal minority (I still believe most fans are still in his corner) continue to drag him. Whatever it is, this version of Kris Bryant is something I’m here for.
I like the IDGAF Bryant. The guy that hits a 446 foot homer and then pops the chains from under his jersey. I’m here for that guy.
KB, how you feelin’?@BinnysBev pic.twitter.com/avtROX4sRz
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 27, 2020
He just has a different swag about him right now, and a type of attitude, that, “I’m doing it for the guys in the clubhouse and myself and not worry about all the rest” type of attitude can only bring good things.
Can’t stop thinking about how much we love this IDGAF version of Kris Bryant pic.twitter.com/8qorZ7Ms2c
— Cubs On Tap (@CubbiesOnTap) September 27, 2020
I can’t wait to see what this year’s playoffs hold for the Cubs. This very well could be the last year we see this core together. Here’s hoping they all say “I don’t give a shit,” and completely ball out for the next month. If they play with this swagger and this level of “fun” I can see a long run in their future.
