Ivy’s Roundup — The Cubs Season Is Miraculously Not Over

Ah, so since the LAST time we blogged up a recap, it appears that the Chicago Cubs have continued their winning ways.  This included a series split (with two very annoying losses at the tail end of the series) with the St. Louis Cardinals, and a just-completed sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.  If we take a look at the splits, the Cubs are insanely good no matter where or whom they play.  Let’s see:

• 77-43 overall;
• +209 run differential;
• 45-19 at home;
• 32-24 away;
• A winning record against every division in the National League;
• A guaranteed winning interleague record;
• ….and they’re unlucky, because they’ve won 5 fewer games than expected given that run differential.

What else can we complain about this year?  Travis Wood not moving out of the way of flying objects, maybe?

Or maybe that Kris Bryant didn’t hit for the cycle?

The Cubs have opened up a 13-game lead in advance of their West Coast road trip as they will face off against two bottom-dwellers and the new NL West leaders, the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The rotation has been shuffled a bit to accommodate John Lackey‘s shoulder issue…

#Cubs pitching vs Rockies will be Hendricks, Montgomery and Hammel

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 17, 2016

#Cubs vs Padres will be Lester, Lackey and Arrieta. This gives Lackey time off. No need for DL

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) August 17, 2016

So Lackey was just pushed back a couple days, which effectively skips a start but keeps him off the disabled list.  I’m very interested to see the Mike Montgomery experiment as he’s supposed to piggyback with Trevor Cahill, who did pretty well in his spot start in the opening doubleheader game.  That’s good news for the Cubs as they figure out their playoff roster construction, which should include the usual suspects at the back end (Aroldis Chapman joining the incumbent tandem of Pedro Strop, when he gets back, and Hector Rondon) plus Wood, Montgomery and Cahill as long men and one of either Jason Hammel or John Lackey moving to the bullpen.  I’d feel pretty good about that, especially since the worst pitcher of this homestand was Jake Arrieta…and they won his games.

Anyway, off to Colorado!

Chicago Cubs @ Colorado Rockies

Friday, August 19
7:40 PM Central
Kyle Hendricks vs. Tyler Anderson
TV = CSN-C, Radio = WSCR AM 670 The Score

Saturday, August 20
7:10 PM Central
Mike Montgomery vs. TBA
TV = CSN-C, Radio = WSCR AM 670 The Score

Sunday, August 21
3:10 PM Central
Jason Hammel vs. Jorge De La Rosa
TV = ABC, Radio = WSCR AM 670 The Score

And as a bonus after the road trip concludes…

Arrieta up now. Cubs to wear Onesies home from LA next Sunday so hopefully we get this look again. pic.twitter.com/mhYXwzdL5i

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 18, 2016

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