The Chicago Cubs as Champion

One is doing better than most experts thought, and the other – while still as lousy as anticipated – is showing signs of life. 

Let’s start with the Cubs. Most felt that heading into the season, the North Siders were favorites to win the National League Central Division, which they’re leading entering this week by four games over the second-place Milwaukee Brewers and 6.5 games over the third-place St. Louis Cardinals. But not many believed the Cubs would have the NL’s second-best record at 54-36, which is just 1.5 games behind the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. If the two clubs finish with the same record at the end of the regular season, the Cubs – by virtue of winning the season series with L.A., 4-3 – would be the top seed in the NL playoffs. 

The Cubs’ offense has been the main reason for this season’s success up to now. Centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is getting serious consideration for NL Most Valuable Player. He is hitting .272 with 23 home runs and 67 runs batted in, and he’s also got 27 stolen bases. A 40-40 season (40 homers, 40 stolen bases), which is a rarity in MLB, is distinctly possible for Crow-Armstrong. 

He’ll be in Atlanta next week for the All-Star Game, along with rightfielder Kyle Tucker (.284, 17 HR, 22 SB, 55 RBI) and starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (9-3, 2.52 earned run average). But in my opinion, MLB snubbed designated hitter Seiya Suzuki, who is hitting .263 with 25 home runs and a MLB-leading 77 RBI. Not sure what the fans and players were thinking, but I think Suzuki definitely was deserving of an All-Star bid. 

If there’s one concern I have for the Cubs, it’s starting pitching. Ace Justin Steele is out for the season with an ulnar collateral ligament injury on his left elbow. It required a Tommy John procedure (named after the former MLB pitcher), which meant reconstructive surgery. Another starter, Jameson Taillon, recently went on the injured list, and yet another, Shota Imanaga, just returned from injury.  

The Cubs’ Jed Hoyer, executive vice president of baseball operations, needs to make a deal or two to fortify the rotation. He can afford to go for the best available pitchers thanks to a deep, talented farm system chock full of top prospects. The Cubs have a legitimate shot at the NL pennant; they need to take advantage. 

On the South Side of Chicago, the White Sox can only hope of being in playoff contention a few years down the line. Last year’s club lost an MLB-record 121 games. This year’s club, while not nearly as horrendous as last year, still has the American League’s worst record, 30-60, entering this week. 

But I see tangible signs of improvement, and there is hope for a better future. Many of the Sox’s top prospects are getting major-league experience this season, and they’re showing good signs they belong. Shortstop Colson Montgomery, the club’s first-round draft pick in 2021, made his MLB debut this weekend and looked impressive, getting five hits and driving in a pair of runs during a series at the Colorado Rockies. 

Second baseman Chase Meidroth, catchers Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel, and infielder Miguel Vargas all have had periods of success and look to form the core of future Sox lineups. But it’s the young pitching staff, oozing with potential, that should have fans feeling optimistic. 

Starter Shane Smith, who was a Rule 5 acquisition from the Brewers this offseason, will represent the Sox in Atlanta next week. Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon, and Davis Martin also show promise as starters, and Jordan Leasure, Grant Taylor, and Mike Vasil have developed into quality bullpen arms. 

Then there’s this: first-year manager Will Venable is much better than Pedro Grifol was the last two years. Venable, whose dad Max played in MLB for several years, has a sharp mind, and although the Sox still have a lot of losses, he has them playing a better brand of baseball overall.  

The future is definitely bright. 

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