https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/page/200/?d=7enhttps://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/justin-steeles-fastball-is-slowly-sinking-and-thats-okay-r61/The Cubs are starting to prove the validity of their quirky pitching concepts. They’re finding success on the mound in ways that defy the orthodoxy of the moment, and no one better embodies that than the left-handed half of their pair of rotation aces. Justin Steele will take the mound at Wr...61Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:27:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/does-david-ross-need-to-change-the-way-he-uses-keegan-thompson-r59/Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli talks about not using his high-leverage relievers to "chase" wins. Joe Maddon used to call the set of relievers he really trusted his "even and ahead guys." The 2023 Cubs' relief ace came in to pitch two innings with the team trailing by two runs Sunday, th...59Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:24:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/why-the-cubs-must-solve-their-first-base-and-catcher-problems-and-how-they-can-r58/We’re already 20 games into the 2023 season, and as everyone predicted, the Cubs so far are an offensive juggernaut, ranking top-5 in the majors in runs, OPS, and wRC+. ...What’s that? You’re telling me this is completely unexpected, and the team was billed as dependent on defense and pitching?...58Sun, 23 Apr 2023 12:50:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/how-drew-smyly-dominated-the-dodgers-and-whats-next-for-him-r57/This game breaks your heart, one of its former stewards warned us. It's designed to break your heart. Drew Smyly had the stuff to throw a perfect game Friday against the Dodgers, and he came achingly close. Despite the unlucky end to that bid for history, though, that start was a joyous mastercl...57Sat, 22 Apr 2023 12:46:24 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/is-dansby-swanson-a-more-patient-hitter-now-r56/The Cubs' biggest acquisition this winter has gotten off to a terrific start in Chicago. Dansby Swanson's defense and comportment have been exactly as advertised, but he's also batting .338, and he's drawn 13 walks in 19 games. Does this signify a change in approach that will lock in a new level...56Fri, 21 Apr 2023 12:11:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/draft-preview-catchers-personalcheeseballs-r55/Our draft coverage here at North Side Baseball rolls on. This week’s installment of #PersonalCheeseballs will feature looking at the catcher position. Catching prospects are always hard to peg down because potential catchers who have great bats often get moved to other positions.   From ti...55Thu, 20 Apr 2023 15:15:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/what-makes-nico-hoerner-such-a-special-hitter-r54/Nico Hoerner is hitting .347 on this young season. A mere few weeks into the contract extension he signed at the end of March, he's making it look like an extraordinary bargain. The secret to his success lies where the secrete of most great hitters do, but in an unusual way. Every great hitt...54Thu, 20 Apr 2023 10:01:30 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/the-early-returns-on-nico-hoerners-return-to-second-base-r53/While my quest to quantify “vibes” is still in effect, I can confirm (from roughly 2,000 miles away) that the vibes on the North Side of Chicago are, in fact, good. Pitching looks good, fielding looks great, and the baserunning has been phenomenal. No matter what phase of this team you’re discus...53Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:42:17 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/scorching-starts-by-patrick-wisdom-and-christopher-morel-give-cubs-good-options-at-third-base-r52/Patrick Wisdom is the hottest slugger in baseball, and not just thanks to those eyes and that smile. His impressive start creates a bit of a logjam for the Cubs, though, with particular respect to Christopher Morel. As I watch Patrick Wisdom hit his second homer of the night and tie Pete Alo...52Tue, 18 Apr 2023 12:08:18 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/hayden-wesneski-his-arm-slot-and-the-improvements-hes-made-r51/On his third try, Hayden Wesneski found his groove. As the Cubs steamrolled the hapless Oakland Athletics Monday night, their rookie starter put some things together in game action for the first time.   Just over a week ago, we talked about how Hayden Wesneski altered the arm slot and r...51Tue, 18 Apr 2023 05:47:09 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/the-third-54-report-stealing-one-r48/Baseball doesn’t lend itself well to momentum. The closest thing, old heads will tell you, is the next day’s starting pitcher. For the Dodgers, though, not even a huge advantage in that department was enough. The Cubs won a game they had no business winning Sunday, and they’re starting to get a...48Mon, 17 Apr 2023 06:16:43 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/the-third-54-report-hollywood-heartbreak-r45/The Cubs had chances to make themselves more comfortable Saturday night in Los Angeles, but they missed them, and the Dodgers didn’t make the same mistake when the door finally opened a crack for them. Jameson Taillon still hasn’t fully found his form for the Cubs yet, and the team paid the...45Sun, 16 Apr 2023 06:49:27 +0000