Baseball Prospectus released its PECOTA Projections for the upcoming season last week. And while everyone was focused on the win-loss records for the 30 teams, Baseball Prospectus also posted individual projections for position players and pitchers. PECOTA is calling for a 92-win season for the Cubs which would be the best record in the NL Central and second in baseball to only the Los Angeles Dodgers (94-68). PECOTA has the Cubs (92-70) winning nine more games than the Pirates (83-79) and 10 … [Read more...]
Kyle Hendricks, Adam Warren Reportedly Set to Compete for Fifth Spot and Updated Cubs Projections
Pitchers and catchers officially report Friday and starting Saturday with the first on-field workout, the competition for the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation will begin. According to the Sun-Times, Kyle Hendricks and Adam Warren will compete in Spring Training for a spot in the Cubs rotation. As long as there are not any problems this spring, the first four pitchers in Joe Maddon’s rotation on Opening Day will be Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey and Jason Hammel. Gordon Wittenmyer … [Read more...]
PECOTA Projects a 92-Win Season for the Cubs
Baseball Prospectus released its PECOTA Projections for the upcoming season. The team Steamer projected to win 94 games and USA Today predicted to win 101 games, PECOTA has finishing at the top of the National League Central with a 92-70 record. The 92 victories would be the second highest win total in the National League behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (94-68) and just ahead of the New York Mets (91-71). PECOTA sees the Cleveland Indians (92-70) winning the most games in the American … [Read more...]
Cubs Updated Pitching Staff Projections
With pitchers and catchers reporting to Mesa in 17 days, opinions vary on the Cubs starting rotation and bullpen. Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester lead a starting staff that is considered one of the six or seven best rotations in baseball. John Lackey and Jason Hammel should slot in behind Arrieta and Lester. Kyle Hendricks begins Spring Training as the fifth starter in Maddon’s rotation. And Adam Warren is expected to push Hendricks for the fifth spot. The front office added depth to the … [Read more...]
Cubs Updated Position Player, Win Total Projections
Opening Day of the 2016 season is just over two months away and there are a lot of practices and exhibition games on the horizon before the Cubs play a game that counts. FanGraphs has updated its Steamer projections for the 2016 season. And the Cubs win-loss projection changed slightly from mid-January. Instead of 95 wins, FanGraphs has Joe Maddon’s team posting a 94-68 record, still tops in baseball. Projections for ‘Bryzzo’ are in line with the numbers Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant put … [Read more...]
FanGraphs Early Projections Has Cubs Winning 95 Games in 2016
FanGraphs posted an early look, based on individual Steamer Projections, at each team’s win-loss record for the upcoming season. Dave Cameron pointed out that “probably to no one’s surprise, the Cubs currently stand atop the projections with a 95-67 record.” FanGraphs has Joe Maddon's team winning the most games in baseball after adding Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, John Lackey and Adam Warren to a roster that already included Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Jake … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: More Projections, Bigger Expectations in the New Year
With ushering in the New Year, the countdown started for pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. For the Cubs there are 47 days left before camp officially begins on Feb. 19. The Cubs Convention is 12 days away and reports over the last three days indicated the front office is still talking to teams and free agents. FanGraphs posted its ZiPS Projections for the 2016 Cubs. And both the front office and Joe Maddon is focused on not allowing outside pressure and expectations to … [Read more...]
ZiPS Projections for the 2016 Chicago Cubs
FanGraphs posted the Cubs’ ZiPS Projections for next season and the numbers look slightly different from the Steamer Projections for the position players and pitchers. Dan Szymborski developed the computer-based projection system (sZymborski Projection System) that uses an intricate formula to provide an estimate for the most notable pitching and hitting stats. ZiPS is projecting a .271/.369/.502 line for Anthony Rizzo with 32 home runs and a .263/.362/.485 season for Kris Bryant with 29 … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: A Stocking Full of Projections, Highlights, Minor Signings and a Rumor or Two
As Two Thousand Fifteen winds down, the holiday weekend was a time of reflection and looking toward the future at Chicago Cubs Online. Projections for next season were posted as well as one last look at the incredible, award winning seasons put together by Jake Arrieta and Kris Bryant. The front office has not ruled out making another move and a certain right fielder was in the rumor mill just before the holiday break. The Cubs have signed several players over the last six weeks, and more … [Read more...]
Position Player Projections for the 2016 Chicago Cubs
Anthony Rizzo will anchor what has a chance to be a very good offense next season. The additions of Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward should help provide insurance in the event of sophomore slumps from Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Addison Russell. The Cubs showed steady improvement last season. The challenge moving forward for the young hitters will be to adjust as quickly as possible to the way pitchers will attack them next year. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber have a chance … [Read more...]