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 An extensive, multi-million renovation of Wrigley Field continues.
But the biggest changes have occurred on the field as the Cubs reap
the rewards of a lengthy rebuilding process under club president
Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer.
It's been manager Joe Maddon, who brought in a magician as
entertainment and motivation for his team a few weeks ago, who has
pulled off the biggest trick.
He managed and maneuvered the Cubs into a winning record (47-40) at
the All-Star break and in a solid position for a second-half run to
a wild card playoff berth.
The Cubs' 47 victories at break are the most since 2008 when they
were 57-38. It's just the second time since 2009 they are at .500 or
better at this point.
And Maddon said there's plenty of upside for the second half.
"We really haven't played as good as we're capable of," he said
recently. "Had we played our best ball to this point -- and were in
this position -- I'd be a little more concerned, but we haven't
gotten there yet so I think there's a lot to look forward to."
First baseman Anthony Rizzo is having a career year with a .298
average, 16 home runs, 24 doubles and 48 RBIs; shortstop Starlin
Castro's .247 average masks a knack for delivering in key situations
and for walk-off wins; and rookie third baseman Kris Bryant, brought
up in mid-April from Triple-A, has been every bit as advertised with
12 home runs and 77 hits, fourth most among NL rookies.
While every baseball team experiences up and downs, the Cubs have
managed to not let bad stretches stick around.
"I think we've shown the ability to not let something linger for too
long a period of time," said right-hander Jake Arrieta, who closed
the first half with a team-high 10 wins.
"We're well ahead of where we have been in the past and I think it's
a place we can build from."
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MLB Team Report - Chicago Cubs - NOTES, QUOTES
RECORD: 47-40
STREAK: Won one
FIRST-HALF MVP: 2015 All-Star 1B Anthony Rizzo entered Sunday ranked
third in the NL with a .956 OPS, third with a .412 on-base
percentage and sixth with a .544 slugging percentage. He's tied for
second in the league with 24 doubles and is batting .298 entering
the All-Star Break. Rizzo also leads the majors after being hit by a
pitch 19 times, including one on Sunday.
FIRST-HALF GRADE: B-plus. The Cubs and manager Joe Maddon earned an
elevated grade for executing a turnaround from the team's historic
misfortunes. They've combined exceptional young talent like third
baseman and All-Star Kris Bryant, second baseman Addison Russell,
outfielder Jorge Soler -- either drafted or otherwise acquired
during lean years -- with veteran infielders Anthony Rizzo and
Starlin Castro and starting pitchers like Jake Arrieta to create not
just a contender today but perhaps an NL Central Division power
tomorrow.
PIVOTAL POST-BREAK PLAYER: LHP Jon Lester was the big offseason
acquisition, but a short spring training and a slow start once the
season got under way that resulted in a 4-8 record to date. But in
two recent performances he allowed no runs in a pair of seven-inning
outings and the Cubs are counting on that kind of form in the second
half.
BUY OR SELL? In recent season the Cubs held annual summer fire sales
to dump talented players to contenders. Last year, pitchers Jason
Hammel (since returned) and Jeff Samardzija departed. Not this year.
The Cubs might be a little thin on catching if Miguel Montero's
jammed thumb is worse than thought and they could be in the market
for some additional bullpen help. The recent acquisition of LHP
Clayton Richard from the Pirates fills out the starting rotation for
now.
INJURY STATUS: INF Tommy La Stella appeared in only two games for
the Cubs before suffering a right oblique injury. He was moved to
the 60-day disabled list this week and doesn't seem likely to be
back anytime soon. Pitchers Zac Rosscup and Tsuyoshi Wada also
remain sidelined.
TOP PROSPECT: C Kyle Schwarber had a brief stint with the Cubs last
month during a two-series tour of American League cities. He
impressed with the bat as a designated hitter, batting .364 with one
home run and six RBIs in six games. But he may need some work on
backstop skills unless the Cubs see him in another position -- such
as outfielder. He also claimed MVP honors at Sunday's MLB Futures
game going 1-for-3 with a two-run triple. At Triple-A Iowa,
Schwarber is hitting .333 with three homers and 10 RBIs.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We've seen a lot of positives from our organization
as a whole, from our team. I think there's a lot of things that have
been obvious weaknesses throughout the course of the first half that
we know we have to get better at." -- Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta.
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MLB Team Report - Chicago Cubs - ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--C Miguel Montero (jammed left thumb) was injured July 11 and the
team awaits test results before determine a next step. He did not
play July 12.
--RHP Jason Hammel (left hamstring tightness) left his July 8 start
after one inning. An MRI showed no major structural damage. He is
expected to make his next start on July 21.
--LHP Tsuyoshi Wada (left deltoid inflammation) went on the 15-day
disabled list retroactive to June 23. He began a rehab assignment
with Double-A Tennessee on July 6.
--LHP Zac Rosscup (inflamed left shoulder) went on the 15-day
disabled list June 17.
--INF Tommy La Stella (right side strain) went on the 15-day
disabled list retroactive to April 9, and he was transferred to the
60-day DL on July 4. He began a rehab assignment with Double-A
Tennessee on May 15, but he experienced a setback May 17.
--3B Mike Olt (fractured right wrist) went on the 15-day disabled
list retroactive to April 15, and he was transferred to the 60-day
DL on April 21. He began a rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee
on June 19, then moved his rehab to Triple-A Iowa on June 23.
--RHP Jacob Turner (mild right flexor strain and a bone bruise on
right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March
27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 19. He began a
rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee on June 9. The timetable
for his return is uncertain.
ROTATION:
LHP Jon Lester
RHP Jake Arrieta
RHP Jason Hammel
RHP Kyle Hendricks
BULLPEN:
RHP Jason Motte
RHP Hector Rondon
RHP Pedro Strop
RHP Edwin Jackson
RHP Justin Grimm
LHP James Russell
LHP Travis Wood
RHP Neil Ramirez
LHP Clayton Richard
CATCHERS:
Miguel Montero
Taylor Teagarden
David Ross
INFIELDERS:
1B Anthony Rizzo
2B Addison Russell
SS Starlin Castro
3B Kris Bryant
INF Jonathan Herrera
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Chris Coghlan
CF Dexter Fowler
RF Jorge Soler
OF Chris Denorfia
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