Cubs Have Picked Up Strikes for Pitchers, But Aren’t Getting Love as Hitters

umpire strike

You know that irking, lingering feeling you get when you see a young Cubs hitter go down in a count, or worse, strike out looking, because of a pitch that appeared to be out of the zone?

Well, you’re not being sensitive.

You know that tingly, devious smirk you make when a Cubs pitcher strikes out a batter on a pitch that was clearly out of the zone?

You’re not wrong to make it.

If either of these scenarios feels familiar to you, I have good news: you’re not just being sensitive, you’re not making things up, and you’re not a biased Cubs fan (well, you might be, but just not in this particular case). At least not entirely.

As it turns out, Cubs hitters have definitely gotten more strikes called on them than they should have (bad), and Cubs pitchers have done the same (good).

[adinserter block=”1″]

In an article at FanGraphs, Jeff Sullivan takes a look at the extra strikes for every team, broken apart by hitters and pitchers. The Cubs, it would seem, are just below average in terms of luck at that plate. More specifically, Cubs hitters have been negatively affected by a net of 38 wrongly-called “strikes” so far in 2016, while Cubs pitchers have benefited from 21 wrongly-called “strikes”.

The total difference (-17), is the sixteenth worst total in baseball. For reference, the Brewers, (+111), Pirates (+94) and Astros (+88) lead the way with the most extra strikes in their favor, while the Reds (-105), Padres (-77) and Braves (-65) bring up the rear. The remaining NL Central team, the Cardinals (-34), come in at 20th overall.

But is the Cubs’ placement really such a bad thing? Well, in terms of what could have happened differently in the past, of course. Be it by luck or skill, you’d just prefer the Cubs get as many calls as possible. But those games are in the past and the Cubs have already won a lot of them. What I meant by that question a few sentences back, was what it means for the future.

As Sullivan rightly points out, the pitching half of this equation is a lot “stickier” than the hitting. Why is that? Well, your team is generally a lot more in control of the amount of pitches out of the zone called strikes while on defense, because a team gets to pick its catcher. It’s no surprise, then, that the Brewers (Jonathan Lucroy), the Pirates (Francisco Cervelli) and the Yankees (Brian McCann), and others, are among the teams with the greatest extra strike benefit for their pitchers (good catchers -> good framers -> more called strikes).[adinserter block=”2″]

The Cubs’ extra strike benefit for pitchers (+21), was aided in no small part by the typically-excellent framing of Miguel Montero and David Ross. For the most part, you can expect that number to stay roughly (and relatively) similar all year.

But as an offense, you’re constantly dealing with different catchers and pitchers day after day. The amount of variance makes the extra strikes for hitters number inherently less sticky. It is to that end, then, that you can expect some good news for the Cubs. Given enough time, the Cubs -38 “extra” strikes for hitters should positively regress to a more average figure, which could mean a lot of good things for their offense – an offense that was already clicking on a fairly high level (.335 wOBA, 5th best in baseball). None of this is guaranteed, of course, but isn’t it a lovely thought?

I thought so, too.

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

Latest News

Golden Knights vs. Stars NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Saturday, April 27, 2024

The Vegas Golden Knights meet the Dallas Stars on Saturday and are -120 on the moneyline, with the latter at +100.Golden Knights vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Golden Knights (-120)Underdog: Stars (+100)Total: 6Best Golden Knights vs. Stars Promo Codes[lasso type="table"...

Guardians vs. Red Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Thursday, Josh Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians (17-7) play Tyler O'Neill and the Boston Red Sox (14-11), with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM ET at Progressive Field.See how to watch the Cleveland-Boston matchup below.When is Guardians vs. Red...

Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 4 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Saturday, April 27, 2024

The Toronto Maple Leafs are -112 on the moneyline against the Boston Bruins (-108) on Saturday, with this tight-looking matchup being played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple Leafs (-112)Underdog: Bruins (-108)Total: 6Best Maple...

Mariners vs. Rangers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners (12-12), led by Caleb Raleigh, visit Adolis Garcia and the Texas Rangers (13-12) on Thursday at 2:35 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Seattle take on Texas live.When is Mariners...

How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

The San Diego Padres (13-13), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, visit the Colorado Rockies (6-18) who will counter with Dakota Hudson, at 3:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming...

2024 Las Vegas Raiders Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle & Cornerback

The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...

Twins vs. White Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Thursday, going for a series sweep, Ryan Jeffers and the Minnesota Twins (10-13) face the Chicago White Sox (3-21), with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM ET at Target Field.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...

How to Watch Astros vs. Cubs: Live Stream or on TV

Justin Verlander takes the mound for the Houston Astros (7-18) when they visit starter Javier Assad and the Chicago Cubs (15-9) at 2:20 PM ET on Thursday.See how to watch the Houston-Chicago matchup below.When is Astros vs. Cubs and when...

Royals vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Salvador Perez and the Kansas City Royals (15-10) host Daulton Varsho and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12) on Thursday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.See how to watch the Kansas City-Toronto matchup below.When is Royals vs. Blue Jays and...

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

On Thursday, Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (17-8) play Abraham Toro and the Oakland Athletics (9-16), with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium.The article below will give you everything you need to watch New...

more cubs news