Normally when I’m on here writing about the Chicago Cubs defense it’s because someone’s made an awesome play. That’s all great, but the defense has been garbage recently and that makes the offensive struggles that much more frustrating.
The Cubs offense has scored fewer than four runs nine games in a row, the longest such streak since the 2006 Cubs, who did it for 11 straight games. Well, the defense has been pissing off Cubs fans too.
We all love Javier Baez. Dude is a wizard out there, with the fastest hands anyone has ever seen. However, there’s no denying that while he still makes the great play there are also times when the routine play or a slightly tougher play is botched.
On Friday night, Baez’s error to begin the second inning led to the only runs scored by the St. Louis Cardinals. All of them were unearned, as Tommy Pham’s three-run homer off Jose Quintana came with two outs.
Those three unearned runs make it nine unearned runs in the past seven games for the Cubs.
From Cubs notes; Cubs have allowed 9 unearned runs in their past 7 games, including 3 in 2nd inning Friday after surrendering 6 in 1st 22 games. Cubs' 15 unearned runs 5th most in ML (San Diego (21), Baltimore (19), Texas (17) and Yankees (16).
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) May 5, 2018
Completely unacceptable. And this isn’t to pile on Baez either, as Kris Bryant’s decision-making at third base hasn’t been great either the last couple games.
After Baez’s error last night, Jedd Gyorko chopped a ball down the third base line and while Bryant’s throw to first base was in time, Anthony Rizzo couldn’t keep his toe on the bag. Gyorko was safe, but Bryant could have easily let the ball roll into foul territory. He didn’t.
There was also a play during the series-finale against the Colorado Rockies when Bryant either couldn’t get a grip of the ball, or simply made the wrong decision to not throw to home when the Cubs were already trailing.
Bryant should’ve thrown home here unless he didn’t have a grip on the ball. Keep in mind it’s a tag play and takes a decent throw, but down 3 you probably need to take the shot. pic.twitter.com/FqOL8au57f
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) May 2, 2018
That game was a complete mess all around.
It’s tough to say make a damn play when several players have been making plays on defense, including Kyle Schwarber saving a run last night, but make a damn play!
Anyway, the defense just has to get better overall. One of the main reasons the Cubs were so great in 2016 was because of their defense.
Also, it would help if Addison Russell could actually hit consistently so he could start every day at shortstop. He’s simply better there than Baez and him and Baez up the middle is the best duo the Cubs can trot out.
Both are in the lineup Saturday.
Here is this afternoon's #Cubs lineup.
Game preview: https://t.co/L6y7vQTRD7 #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/WfWqK6ZM8l
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 5, 2018
Tyler Chatwood pitching, so expect a lot of ground balls. How about ending the awful offensive and defensive streaks today.
