When Shota Imanaga and 4 relievers teamed as much as shut out the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon, they pushed the Chicago Cubs’ report to 48-33 on the MLB midpoint.
If being on tempo for the franchise’s most wins because the 2016 World Collection champs doesn’t scream respectable title contender, then what does?
Maybe the group’s +100 run differential on the 81-game mark, higher than all people else within the large leagues besides the New York Yankees?
Maybe averaging 5.4 runs per sport, which ranks second-best in baseball behind the Los Angeles Dodgers? It’s a remarkably balanced assault, because the Cubs rank amongst MLB’s high three in homers (120) and steals (96) and seventh in walks (282). Pete Crow-Armstrong is on tempo for a 40-40 season. Kyle Tucker is a 30-30 marketing campaign.
If you verify superior defensive stats, the Cubs rank among the many high six groups in MLB because of Crow-Armstrong, second baseman Nico Hoerner and shortstop Dansby Swanson being the perfect up-the-middle trio on this planet.
Nearly all over the place you look, the Cubs have proven they have what it takes to contend for the championship.
However if you go to on-line sportsbooks and verify their MLB futures, the Cubs are usually listed with the seventh-best odds to win all of it. BetMGM says Craig Counsell’s boys are +1400. FanDuel says +1300. DraftKings checks in at +1600. (In the event you’re fascinated with betting on the Cubs to win all of it, keep away from Caesars’ +900.)
Why are the Cubs handled as such relative lengthy photographs? Let’s all say it collectively: It’s the pitching, silly.
Now, it was a terrific signal that Imanaga allowed only one hit and one stroll over 5 innings Thursday in his first start since May 4 as a consequence of a hamstring damage.
He provides the Cubs one pitcher who may be counted on to get by way of an order two or thrice when the playoffs arrive. Matthew Boyd, the free-agent signee who owns a 7-3 report and a couple of.65 ERA in 16 begins, provides the Cubs two playoff-worthy starters — although it ought to be famous the 34-year-old lefty is already at 91 2/3 innings. He hasn’t thrown this many since going 185 for Detroit in 2019.
Do the Cubs have anybody else worthy of a postseason begin? In a phrase — no.
The metrics say rookie Cade Horton owns a 3.85 anticipated ERA by way of his first eight begins, however he blew up Friday night time at Houston with seven earned runs in 4 innings. Extra related to this season’s prospects, although, Horton wants his workload monitored much more carefully than Boyd. He has hurled 74 innings this season after averaging simply 58 during the last three years.
Jameson Taillon? He permits 2.1 homers per 9 innings. Colin Rea? Mediocre. Ben Brown? Inconsistent. Justin Steele? Injured. (As Dean Wormer may say, mediocre, inconsistent and injured isn’t any technique to undergo life, son.)
To unravel this shortcoming, Cubs GM Jed Hoyer and his cupboard must be even bolder than they had been once they acquired Tucker within the offseason.
They’ve maneuvered themselves into a spot the place they’re nearer to the Dodgers and Mets than they might have realistically projected. But when they’re going to attend to be equals earlier than they strike, then they could as nicely promote the group.
The Dodgers, with their billions of dollars and their brilliant front office, are by no means going away. Mets proprietor Steve Cohen’s pockets will probably be vast open each offseason and each commerce deadline.
Which means now’s the time to peel a prospect or 5 off their thick stack of children and purchase two respectable starters — guys who can get the Cubs by way of 5 innings in an October setting.
And don’t simply deal with the leases.
Test in with the Cleveland Guardians about Tanner Bibee. If the Texas Rangers go south, ask about Nathan Eovaldi. Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller twirled a gem Friday night time towards the Mets. Goodness is aware of the Miami Marlins have projectable pitchers — and their favourite factor to do is swap them for extra prospects.
Simply know this, Cubs: Baseball lore is full of groups that ruined their title possibilities by attempting to get by with out sufficient starters. Longtime followers nonetheless bear in mind the 1948 Boston Braves and the phrase “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.”
The Ricketts household must understand how they’ll be roasted in Chicago in the event that they attempt to enter this postseason with the motto: “Imanaga and Boyd and gaze mournfully into the void.”
