Who has been the best team in the National League over the past 30 games? Well, if I’m writing about it, and since the Sox are in the American League, you know who it is. That’s right, the Chicago Cubs. Coming into yesterday’s game vs Pittsburgh, the Cubs were 17-13 over their past 30 games. That’s not exactly elite, but no other team in the National League has been better. You got to start somewhere…
I know they’ve been better, I know they’re improving, but best record in the National League over their past 30??? I would have never guessed it. With that best record being only 17-13, it proves that parity is alive and well in Major League baseball. What does that tell us? Get to .500, and go from there. Any team that can play .500 ball, add a couple players, get a few breaks, can be in the playoffs. This is the same thing that I said about the Sox this year. Well, it won’t be that easy for the Cubs, considering the deep hole that’s been dug. Still 9 games under .500, and 12 games out of 1st place in the NL Central, they still have a long way to go. But, that just proves that they’re not THAT far from being in contention going forward.
So as that “best team in the NL” took the field on a beautiful Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field, they were hoping to keep rolling as they began their 10 game home stand vs the Pirates. I know it may sound like a broken record, but who do you think the 2 stars were this Friday afternoon? That’s right, Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro.
I left work just before 4pm, and as I drove out of downtown, I flipped on the Cubs game to find the bases loaded in the bottom of the 3rd inning, 1 out, and Anthony Rizzo at the plate. Now normally, if the Cubs load the bases with less than 2 outs, I’m still not convinced that they will score. To do this with Rizzo and Castro coming up, my confidence level is a little higher. Rizzo lined a double down the right field line to score 2. OK, at least we got 2 runs out of the deal, but wait… there’s more. Now with runners on 2nd and 3rd, Castro hits a bomb to left field for a 3 run HR. This Cubs team does not get that many opportunities to score runs; I was glad to see them take advantage, and put up a rare 5 spot. They held on to win 6-3 to start the home stand off with a W. As far as these 2 guys, I’m starting to expect this type of performance.
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Flip to ESPN and look at the Cubs individual stats this year. OK, I’ll save you the time. Here are the leaders in the following categories: BA- Castro .290, HR- Rizzo 14, RBI- Castro 43, OBP- Rizzo .402, Hits- Castro 83, Runs- Rizzo 47, 2B- Castro 22, BB- Rizzo 48. OK, you get the picture. There’s 2 things I have to say about that: these guys have been awesome this year AND these guys need help. I’m just not that confident that they will get that this year…
On to the Sox for a moment: I thought when the Twins knocked down the Metrodome, the Sox problems in Minnesota would be over. Well, they’ve dropped their first 2 in Minnesota to start this 11 game road trip. They made a nice comeback Friday night scoring 2 in the top of the 9th, but lost it in the bottom of the inning. Abreu went deep again… this is starting to sound like a broken record too. However, Sale was not on the mound. Still, the starters have pitched well; it’s been that bullpen that gave up the lead in these games. Just like the Cubs, the Sox can’t rely on 2 guys to do it all… they need help. Back to 3 under, and only percentage points ahead of the Twins at the bottom of the standings, they need to beat this team… now, or else my prediction of a 5-6 road trip will go up in flames.
So this summer, which officially starts today, seems to be shaping up. Cubs are in the right direction, Sox are in the mix. I just hope the Cubs don’t start making news for the wrong reasons, like emptying their pitching staff. It’s probably going to happen… at least partially, and if the deal is right, maybe they pull the trigger. I just hate to push this rebuilding plan any further out. I’m ready for phase 2, and it looks like the team on the field is too. Best Team in the NL??? I would love to say that after 162 games, and even better, World Series champs after the season. When…???
frank t.
Maybe Robin should start playing Konerko and spot him with Dunn once in awhile! Dunn is only playing every day because of his big contract and the hope that he’ll knock one out. But instead, he’s on record-setting pace for strike-outs. I’d much rather see Paulie in there carrying the team as in his prior years. He’s been averiaging 30 homers and batting 280 for the last 18 years! Dunn is averaging 38 homers, but is only hitting 230 and strikes out more than twice as often as Paulie. Let Konerko get some at bats, and he’ll win a few of these close games for us.