The Cubs picked up their fifth big win of the season Thursday night. They are now 5-0 in games determined by five runs or more after downing the Reds 8-1. As I looked at the box score, I had a tough time conceiving how Chicago managed eight runs in the game. The middle of the lineup did little, except for a Kris Bryant solo home run. Much of the offense was concentrated in the 7-8-9-1 hitters, mostly singles and walks. I suspect the two Reds miscues helped, although they resulted in just one unearned run.
One big difference between the Reds and Cubs in the game was in scoring position hitting. The Cubs were 3 for 11 with a sacrifice fly. Nothing to write home about. The Reds were 0 for 10, and that combination of okay Cubs hitting and nothing from the opposition has been prevalent during the first two weeks of the season.
Cubs batters own a .257/.385/.425 slash line in the RISP category. They’re not hitting all that great, but they are not making many outs, either. In other words, if they don’t deliver in one plate appearance, they tend at least maintain the situation for the next batter. And due to even more men on base, the hits that come along can do more damage.
On the pitching side, the Cubs are slamming the door shut. The opposition generated a .179/.213/.196 slash line in the RISP category. Only one of ten hits went for extra bases.
I don’t see any reason the Cubs can’t maintain those offensive averages for the season. They are not outrageous, and the Cubs offense was built to get on base. I suspect the opposition will do better than they have in the first two weeks, but not good enough to overcome a .385 OBP in that situation.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/1qucMbj
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