<link>https://northsidebaseball.com/blogs/blog/5-suddenly-the-cubs-have-wheels-and-are-playing-smallball/</link><description><![CDATA[<p> Here's to my first of many blogs in the months to come. I am a rather passive-aggresive Cubs fan living in southern Spain and love me all things Cubs related. I 'd like to do a quick write-up on the approach the Cubs are taking so far this year based on the eye test. The Cubs have become quite adept at getting on base this year sporting a healthy .347 team OBP which ranks 5th after 15 games. </p> <p> Of course extrapolating this over the course of a season will more than likely not lead to the team finishing top 5 in OBP although stranger things have happened. As part of the smallball philosophy one thing has jumped out at me, and that is the fact that the Cubs are averaging a whopping 1.47 steals per game which often leads to manufactured runs. This is consistent with not being able to generate HR's on a more consistent basis (they only have 20 to date and might finish in the bottom 10 with regards to power). Additionally, a lot of runs are being set up and created by hit & run, double steals, and just overall good plate discipline. </p> <p> Have a look at the snapshot of the Cubs hitting sorted by stolen bases back to 2008 and it is glaringly obvious that the emphasis on base running has increased and more to the point, the new base running rules are giving the Cubs a distinct advantage which they have capitalized on so far. Nico is currently 9 for 9 in that department! While I don't expect Lou Brock or Ricky Henderson numbers I think 50-55 steals might be within reach. Let's hope this year's fun edition of the "smallball" Cubs keeps playing smart, aggressive baseball with great baserunning and excellent pitching & defense. </p> <p> </p> <p> <a class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image" data-fileext="jpg" data-fileid="98" href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2023_04/Screenshot_20230418-174138_SamsungInternet2.jpg.f8f6a966b8cb8464c6b7b4b40892e0ba.jpg" rel=""><img alt="Screenshot_20230418-174138_Samsung Internet~2.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-fileid="98" data-ratio="118.86" style="height:auto;" width="631" data-src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2023_04/Screenshot_20230418-174138_SamsungInternet2.thumb.jpg.f1fb56d0ae6cfe6e42afda0261461a63.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></a> </p> ]]></description><language>en</language><item><title>Manfred - MLB division re-alignment now a distinct possibility in the future (Cubs-Palehose in the same division?)