Fan Positivity Reserves Running Low Already and Other Bullets

rick renteria cubs speakSo much frustration out there about yesterday’s loss – and the previous four – which is understandable. Offseason optimism (however spurious) gets slapped pretty quickly when your team’s roster simply isn’t a competitive one. You hope for a lucky bounce here or there, some surprise upside, or anything else besides a 4-11 start. It’s OK to still hope for some of that stuff, too, but the early returns are obviously matching the fears, rather than the hopes. You hate to think that you’ve used up your positivity allotment in mid-April.

  • Ricky Renteria yesterday expressed to the media that he thinks there are some “focus” issues with the team right now, but he wouldn’t go into detail beyond that (ESPN Chicago). Maybe I’ve just been numbed to it by the last few years, but I haven’t really noticed a lot of sloppy play this year, until yesterday. Obviously, if RR is mentioning it – and reportedly meeting with the team about it – he’s seeing things that we aren’t. Good on him for trying to rein things in with a smile, but, at some point, at least in terms of wins and losses, it’s a matter of roster composition, not focus or effort or fundamentals or whatever. At least RR’s positivity reserves are still intact.
  • Jeff Samardzija pitched well yesterday, the offense did nothing, and Samardzija got the loss (totally meaningful stat). He’s still not grousing publicly about all the losing, which is good (CSN).
  • Sahadev Sharma wrote a lengthy piece on the outfield’s offensive struggles (which expands on some things I pointed out in the Series Preview yesterday, but that was just a coincidence – two bright minds honing in on the same issues (or so you say, Sahadev!)), which is definitely worth a read. As we talk about expectations and outcomes, it’s worth remembering that, if you asked folks what they thought of the Cubs’ roster heading into the season, it was pretty easy to identify where the serious offensive issues could pop up: the outfield. Sure, we liked the versatility, the potential for the platoons to achieve league-average production on the cheap – but there was always serious downside with Junior Lake (especially in left), Ryan Sweeney hasn’t emerged as a sure-fire starter in his career, and Nate Schierholtz had a breakout year in 2013, but it was a relative breakout (i.e., still not quite the numbers you need to carry an outfield without another big bat). I believe, genuinely, that the Cubs have three or four of the best fourth outfielders in baseball – and I mean that as a compliment of those players – it’s just that they have to lean on them for consistent starts.
  • Carrie Muskat speaks with Darnell McDonald on his new role in the Cubs’ front office.
  • The Pirates’ offense may see an improvement, as they’ve acquired Ike Davis from the Mets for a fringe prospect and a PTBNL (though the latter is expected to be a good prospect (could be a 2013 draftee, who is not eligible to be traded until one year after he signs). Davis was a great looking young player before 2013, but he’s struggled recently.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

    Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

    I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

    Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

    New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

    Los Angeles Dodgers Signing Will Smith to a TEN-YEAR Extension

    The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. And by it, I mean they have signed a funkily-structured contract that is going to leave some folks annoyed. The Dodgers are extending catcher Will Smith on a DECADE-long deal with a...

    The Stretch: 2024 MLB Season Preview

    On Monday, during a team-building conversation with some of the Bleacher Nation and Betsperts Media Group folks, we discussed sports—shocking, I know—and Brian Twining asked the group what their favorite sport was. For me, it's baseball. There's no debate. I...

    We Have to Talk About Some of the “Deals” the Cubs Sat Out in Free Agency

    This week, in a conversation with Jon Greenberg at The Athletic, Cubs President Jed Hoyer made an honest and sober (but also moderately disappointing) admission about the 2024 Chicago Cubs: "We need to perform probably at or a little bit...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Reportedly Now Worth Over $5 Billion

    Given all the tumult in the baseball broadcasting world, and the uncertain future for that portion of revenues, you'd be forgiven for expecting that MLB franchise valuations would slow their recent surge. But, according to Sportico at least, you'd be...

    Reds Second Baseman Matt McLain Had Shoulder Surgery

    The injury to Matt McLain's shoulder issue obviously wound up being worse than he and the Cincinnati Reds had been hoping. The damage to his left (non-throwing) labrum ultimately required surgery: https://twitter.com/m_sheldon/status/1772993402604339478 When the hope is that a guy can...

    Cubs Actually Getting a Whole Lot of Votes to Win the NL Central

    ESPN dropped its big season preview, and included were a set of divisional predictions by way of their writers, editors, and analysts voting. There's nothing in the way of proof or certainty there, but with 26 voters, I do like...

    Latest News

    Orioles vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Baltimore Orioles (0-0) open their 2024 season with a home game against the Los Angeles Angels (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The Orioles will call on Corbin Burnes versus the Angels and Patrick Sandoval.Orioles vs....

    Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM...

    Celtics vs. Hawks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The contest airs at 7:30 PM...

    Bucks vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) are only 2-point underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game begins at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The matchup's point total is 223.If you are...

    How to Watch Indiana State Sycamores vs. Utah Utes: Live Stream or on TV

    The Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) will attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Utah Utes (22-14) on April 2, 2024. The Utes have also won three games in a row.Indiana State won its most recent...

    How to Watch Seton Hall Pirates vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Live Stream or on TV

    The Seton Hall Pirates (23-12) will attempt to extend a three-game win streak when they host the Georgia Bulldogs (20-16) on April 2, 2024. The Bulldogs have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Seton Hall beat...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by Corbin Carroll, take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies in their first game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    Luis Castillo will take the ball for the Seattle Mariners when they square off against starting pitcher Brayan Bello and the Boston Red Sox in their season opener on Thursday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.The article below will...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Cleveland Guardians, led by Jose Ramirez, square off against Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics in their first game of the season, at 10:07 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

    Senators vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The bookmakers give the edge to the Ottawa Senators on home ice (-198) over the Chicago Blackhawks (+164) when they face off on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 PM ET.Senators vs. Blackhawks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Senators (-198)Underdog: Blackhawks (+164)Total: 6.5Best...

    more cubs news