Quote:
Originally Posted by VAChief
It's always better to have a lead this time of year than chasing for sure. I don't expect they are going to average 1 run a game much longer, but the luster on that lineup is not as bright as it once was, even when Bryant returns.
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Makes absolutely 0 sense.
Contreras even in a down year for power is still one of the best hitting catchers in the league.
Rizzo had an extended slump but he's back and hes been better than his career numbers recently.
Baez has been better than ever.
Bryant is an MVP who's "down year" because of a shoulder issue comes out to a 122 OPS+.
Kyle Schwarber is looking like his rookie year with a slight dip in SLG% with 22 HRs.
Jason Heyward is having his best year as a Cub.
The only positions where the Cubs could look to reasonably improve offensively is SS and CF and they just acquired a guy in Daniel Murphy who has a .904 OPS in the 2nd half that allows the team to likely put Russell on the DL with his finger and move Baez to SS. It also frees up Zobrist to play more outfield and move Heyward to CF more often.
If the Cardinals and Brewers were looking to give themselves the best chance to catch the Cubs they both royally ****ed up by not claiming Murphy. Now you just better hope he becomes everything he has shown not to be over his career.