Cubbies Crib Aug 10, 2018
Chicago Cubs: Can Javier Baez ‘swim’ his way into October lore?
Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez is a magician on the field. Let’s break the magician’s code and reveal Baez’ biggest secret: the art of the swim move. Chicago Cubs fans recognize that sometimes a player comes along who just makes you feel good about being a fan. I had that same feeling when growing up […] Chicago Cubs: Can Javier Baez ‘swim’ his way into October lore? - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More
Bleed Cubbie Blue Aug 8, 2018
Javier Baez is having an MVP season
An early look at how El Mago compares to the competition It’s August so all you have to do is type “NL MVP race” into any search engine and you’ll be overwhelmed with articles and podcasts previewing this year’s Most Valuable Player competition. One name appearing on a few of these lists, but not getting nearly enough love in my opinion, is the Cubs‘ own Javier Baez. The Athletic currently has him ranked seventh behind Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, Aaron Nola, Matt Carpenter, Nolan Arenado and Freddie Freeman. The MLB.com voters didn’t see fit to include him at all, but did add...
Bleed Cubbie Blue Aug 7, 2018
Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals preview, Tuesday 8/7, 7:15 CT
The Cubs go for two straight over the Royals. Tuesday notes: The Cubs’ current schedule, with several short road trips and homestands, has them hopscotching all over the country. From August 1 through 23 they will fly from Pittsburgh to Chicago to Kansas City to Chicago to Pittsburgh to Detroit to Chicago. At least none of those flights is much longer than an hour, and there are three off days in that span. It took Javier Baez only 110 games to reach 25 homers this season. Per STATS Inc., he is the third-fastest second baseman to reach the mark in franchise history, trailing only Ryne...
Cubbies Crib Aug 7, 2018
Chicago Cubs: Remember how the Home Run Derby ruined Javier Baez?
Unlike so many sluggers of the past, Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez participated in the Home Run Derby and caught fire post-All-Star Break. I remember when we all learned Chicago Cubs Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber would participate in the Home Run Derby. At the office, I heard at least two people comments something to […] Chicago Cubs: Remember how the Home Run Derby ruined Javier Baez? - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More
Bleed Cubbie Blue Aug 7, 2018
Cubs 3, Royals 1: Javier Baez does it all
The Cubs did what they needed to and won the first game of this series. I suppose the complaint department door should be closed after the Cubs’ 3-1 win over the Royals, but... Seriously. They didn’t hit with runners on base. It took a couple of extra-base hits from Javier Baez to give the Cubs the win, as well as some solid relief pitching. So, yay? Yes, yay. Wins are wins no matter how you put them together, and the Cubs again matched their season high at 18 games over .500 with this victory. It doesn’t seem like they’re having another good year, does it? And yet, here we are. The...
Bleed Cubbie Blue Aug 6, 2018
Cubs Stock Market Report: Hello, August
Javier Baez, MVP candidate? Blue Chip Stocks: Javier Baez: El Mago continues to show no signs of slowing down, and this week was no exception. Javy went 10-for-24 with three doubles, a triple, three homers, seven runs batted in, and three walks (albeit two were intentional)! Baez sits atop the leaderboard for second basemen in all of baseball in terms of fWAR (4.1), and he leads the Cubs in that category by more than 1 fWAR. Dare I say he’s one of the leading MVP candidates in the National League this year? Anthony Rizzo: Rizzo continued his ascension to the Greatest Leadoff Hitter of...
Cubbies Crib Aug 4, 2018
Chicago Cubs: Breakout season has Javier Baez in the mix for NL MVP
Some might be quick to write off Javier Baez in the NL MVP race. But doing so would be folly, given the fact he’s carried the Chicago Cubs this season. For much of the season, I’ve followed the emergence of Javier Baez as an elite talent in the game with a great deal of interest. […] Chicago Cubs: Breakout season has Javier Baez in the mix for NL MVP - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More
Bleed Cubbie Blue Aug 3, 2018
Cubs 5, Padres 4: Now that’s more like it *
* except for that ninth inning. But a win’s a win. The Cubs defeated the Padres 5-4 on a picture-perfect Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field and I wish that were the end of the story. But they had to survive a high-wire closing act from Pedro Strop before he struck out Austin Hedges to end the game and even up the series. The game began much like Thursday night’s, with the Padres getting hits in the first two innings but Jose Quintana getting out of jams, and the Cubs retired easily in the first by Tyson Ross. Javier Baez took care of that “retired easily” leading off the second...
Cubbies Crib Jul 31, 2018
Chicago Cubs: Javier Baez is having fun – and is fun to watch
Chicago Cubs star Javier Baez is must-see TV on the North Side unlike anything we’ve seen since the days of Slammin’ Sammy Sosa and the Home Run Chase. In the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs selected Javier Baez. Thus began what has become a trying, but, ultimately, highly rewarding relationship. Right out […] Chicago Cubs: Javier Baez is having fun – and is fun to watch - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More
Bleed Cubbie Blue Jul 30, 2018
Cubs Stock Market Report: Trade deadline week
The Cubs had a good week... but also a bad week. Blue Chip Stocks: Jesse Chavez: How good has Chavez been since arriving on July 21? After arriving on the North Side, Chavez has pitched eight innings, surrendering no runs while striking out nine in the process. This week, Chavez pitched five scoreless innings, including eating up three innings on Saturday after Jose Quintana laid an egg. The Chavez trade wasn’t sexy, but boy, it has certainly paid dividends thus far. Javier Baez: Javy continues to tear the cover off the baseball this year, going 8-for-22 with two home runs and five runs...
Bleed Cubbie Blue Jul 26, 2018
Cub Tracks shoulders blame
Trade talk, injury examination, and other bullets Cubs win!Final: #Cubs 2, D-backs 1. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/ADkOHFOHDF— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 25, 2018 Well, that ended up well, so no recriminations are forthcoming. Nice job by Jon Lester. Cubs can earn the split today. Pedro Strop ftw. The @Cubs are just out here throwing out #factsonly pic.twitter.com/mLc4wSfoOA— Patrick (@hags819) July 24, 2018 It’s gonna be hard to move forward without Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, but that is what the Cubs have to do. Like most of you, I see David Bote in my scrying glass...
Bleed Cubbie Blue Jul 22, 2018
Cardinals 6, Cubs 3: An ejection, then a bullpen meltdown
Those two things were not related, but eventually the latter lead to the Cubs and Cardinals splitting their doubleheader. I suppose the first thing you want to talk about from the Cubs’ 6-3 loss to the Cardinals in Saturday’s doubleheader nightcap is the ejection of Javier Baez in the fifth inning. Here’s the situation: runners on first and second, two out, the Cubs trailing 1-0. Baez was called out on strikes on a check swing. From Javy: #Cubs Baez: "I didn't think I said anything to disrespect anyone. It was a pretty close call. I only asked for him to check with the umpire at...
Cubbies Crib Jul 21, 2018
Chicago Cubs: Victor Caratini one of many making quiet contributions
While much attention is given to Chicago Cubs stars like Javier Baez and Willson Contreras, others are quietly doing real good things, including Victor Caratini. One thing the Chicago Cubs have prided themselves on the past three years is depth. The flashy stars show themselves on the field daily, but talented depth guys help keep […] Chicago Cubs: Victor Caratini one of many making quiet contributions - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More
