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Sure, I could point out some positives about the Cubs offense and a few of the relievers have actually been pretty good, but after a 1-3 start to the 2019 season, let’s just go through four ugly stats. Hopefully the next edition of this will be “four amazing stats during the Cubs four-game winning streak.”
Jason Heyward has already hit into 4 double plays
Jason Heyward has 18 total plate appearances, starting in each of the first four games and nearly a quarter of the time he’s grounded into a double play. The record for most double plays in a season is 36 and Heyward is already 11% there through only 2% of the 162-game schedule.
For perspective, 36 is the GIDP record (Jim Rice in 1984… also 2nd with 35 in 1985). Last year the high was Manny Machado with 26. https://t.co/rCKrkvxJRN
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) April 2, 2019
Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
Now, Heyward won’t come close to the all-time record, mainly because he won’t get that much playing time if he continues to hit the ball directly to the opposing team’s second baseman.
Cubs pitchers are averaging less than 5 innings per start
Jon Lester has been the only Cubs starter to pitch more than five innings so far, going six on Opening Day against the Rangers. Yu Darvish had no fastball command on Saturday, walked seven and only lasted 2.2 innings. Cole Hamels was squeezed for a few batters before giving up a grand slam on Sunday and he only went five, while Kyle Hendricks couldn’t bail out the atrocious defense behind him on Monday and was pulled after 4.1 innings against the Braves.
So, in four starts, that’s an average of 4.5 innings. Not ideal, especially when you consider that the rotation is supposed to be the strength of the team. I’m not saying it’s going to be like this the whole year, just you know, ugly start to 2019.
Cubs pitchers have already walked 27 batters
For context, the Cubs have only pitched 33.1 innings through the first four games, and are second behind the Diamondbacks for most walks in MLB. The Diamondbacks have pitched 46 innings and only have 29 walks to lead the majors.
Stop walking guys. Oh and only one has been an intentional walk.
6 errors in one game
Nothing says playing with urgency than losing a third straight game while playing the sloppiest game since 2006. But really, Tuesday night’s crap fest in Atlanta was the most disgusting excuse for defense since 1982.
UrgencEEEEEE
(via @NBCSCubs) pic.twitter.com/CFJymly8HR
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 2, 2019
That 9/12/2006 game was an 11-inning game. However, all 6 Cub errors were made by the end of the 9th inning.
In case you're curious, the last 9-inning Cub game with 6 errors was 6/14/1982. 3 by Sandberg, 2 by Bowa, 1 by Bump Willshttps://t.co/8LZ3VqM37a
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) April 2, 2019
Hot start to 2019!
