The Cubs Offense Is Really That Bad
You know how it just seems like the Cubs offense is so bad this season? It almost feels like there were 10-12 day stretches where the Cubs didn’t score more than 2 runs in any given game. But somehow the Cubbies are only 1 game out of first. So is the offense really that bad, and by implication, is the pitching that good and the rest of the division garbage? Or are our expectations just too high? Well don’t worry, you’re gut feelings about the Cubs inability to do ANYTHING on offense were spot-on, and the stats back it up. Not only are they bad, but they are significantly worse than the 2008 Cubs offense.
Here are the Cubs Major League ranks and numbers (out of 30 teams) in key offensive statistical categories:
Runs Scored 2009 (93 games played): 393 (24th)
Runs Scored 2008: 855 (2nd)
Batting Average 2009: .249 (27th)
Batting Average 2008: .278 (5th)
On-Base Percentage 2009: .323 (22rd)
On-Base Percentage 2008: .354 (2nd)
Slugging 2009: .400 (22nd)
Slugging 2008: .443 (5th)
OPS 2009: .723 (21st)
OPS 2008: .797 (3rd)
Stolen Base Percentage 2009: 61.4% (30th)
Stolen Base Percentage 2008: 72% (2nd)
Obviously the Cubs offense being significantly worse than last year isn’t news if you have followed the team at all this year, but to actually see the hard numbers on it is flat out depressing. Of course, this entire post begs the question: If the offense is so bad, then how are they still in contention for the division? The answer is the pitching, which ranks 6th in ERA, and of course the division we are in, which is so bad that even the Pirates are still legitimately in the divisional race. Oh, and that last statistic, that was just to show all you morons how “being more aggressive on the basepaths” has really worked out well for us this season. Yeah, talking/writing about the Cubs offense puts me in a bad mood, what are you going to do about it?
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Time July 23, 2009 at 2:56 pm
[...] The Cubs Offense is really that bad — (Not Qualified to Comment) [...]
Comment from Matt Clapp
Time July 23, 2009 at 5:33 pm
“Oh, and that last statistic, that was just to show all you morons how ‘being more aggressive on the basepaths’ has really worked out well for us this season.”
How did it work out for the Tampa Bay Rays last year?
The problem is the Cubs don’t have the players really capable of doing it, especially with Soriano’s knee. They’ve had some good success with the hit and run and I’d like to see that more, especially with Theriot at the plate. But they don’t have the guys to straight steal very much.
Comment from Matt Clapp
Time July 23, 2009 at 5:35 pm
And our expectations haven’t been too high at all. Get the entire lineup just near career averages and they’re top-10 in the league in about every major statistic.
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Comment from rex jaybels
Time July 23, 2009 at 9:27 am
They seem to have lost their patience at the plate this season. I don’t have the numbers but the walks seem to be way down. Yesterday, in their win against the Phillies, they were patient, took more walks and were able to score some runs. For me their plate discipline has been the most frustrating.