The Chicago Cubs might not have played up to your expectations so far, but at least they’re setting records!
Yes, that’s right, the Chicago Cubs set an offensive record through the first five games of the season – and boy is it offensive!
Now 58 K’s for the Cubs. Most ever by NL team through 5 games.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) April 2, 2018
Yeah, the Cubs have now officially struck out more times than any other team has through their first five games of a season. Now, some of this is misleading since they have played the equivalent of six games (17 innings in game two and 10 innings of game three) but they have still gone down on strikes 58 times this season. This passes the 2009 Washington Nationals, who struck out 57 times in their first five games.
Game 1 – 10 K’s
Game 2 (17 innings) – 20 K’s
Game 3 (10 innings) – 11 K’s
Game 4 – 6 K’s
Game 5 – 11 K’s
In comparison, the Cubs pitchers have struck out 40 opposing hitters.
Here’s the thing, the Cubs hitters are going to strike out a lot. This is part of who they are offensively, and there will be some frustrating at-bats throughout this season, next, and the one after that. But striking out doesn’t always result in a bad at-bat. However, there are game situations which striking out is the absolute worst thing that could happen and is a huge reason why Chili Davis is now in Chicago.
“I’ve talked about it for how many years now?” manager Joe Maddon asked (via Jesse Rogers). “We have struck out a lot. It has been exacerbated by the 17-inning game but we have struck out a lot. We have to do better. We have to move the baseball. We talked about it all camp. We talked about it the last two years. I believe that we will, but right now, we’re not.”
While the club might continue to talk about reducing strikeouts, and finding a way to “move the baseball,” Joe isn’t helping the cause when he trots Ian Happ (10 K’s) out there in the leadoff position. Now I don’t want to pick on Ian, and he is leading off due to the lack of other options, but giving someone who is very prone to striking out more opportunities (the leadoff hitter will see more at-bats throughout a game).
Time to fire Davis. Team worse with him. What’s wrong with small ball?
— michael barry (@mebskivt) April 3, 2018
Fans have looked towards Chili Davis because of the inconsistent offense thus far. Wanting him to answer up, and in some cases asking for him to be removed. But really it is far too early for anything Chili teaches to of settled in with the club. It certainly isn’t time to start pressing that panic button.
“Hopefully, no one is pressing but no one is at their peak performance,” Davis said. “We are the Chicago Cubs. Guys are going to raise their game against us. I expect my offense to rise to the occasion too.”
Fans do have some reason for concern, at least when it comes to the inconsistencies in the Cubs offense. The team has had issues with striking out for years, the offense has relied upon home runs for a vast majority of their runs, and the lack of offense in the playoffs is still rather fresh in our minds.
Giving Davis the benefit of the doubt, the guys he worked closest with this offseason, Jason Heyward, and Kyle Schwarber. The only regular that has struck out less than these two is Addison Russell (2). So perhaps it is too early to really be concerned about it, but I have a feeling it is something we should keep an eye on as the season progresses.
“We have a fun group. A good group,” Anthony Rizzo said. “We’re not going to ride the roller coaster as hard as everyone else outside.”
