advertisement

Otto: Cubs' defense shouldn't be overlooked

Considering the Cubs are winning twice as many games as they are losing, there are many elements to their game that are going well.

Cubs starting pitchers have taken their team deep into games on most nights. Conversely, the Cubs offense has managed to get into the other team's bullpens early. No matter how good the Cubs are swinging the bats though, if they run into a string of starters that are throwing the ball well, runs can be tough to come by. In those games - dare I say playoff games - the spotlight shifts to the defense.

Over the last couple of years, this Cubs franchise has found and developed players that are as good at flashing that leather as they are at swinging the bat.

At third base, Kris Bryant might be the most accurate thrower in the league. Last year, a couple of balls would sail on him when throwing across the diamond. By getting his feet in a better position and his arm up this year when making a throw, he has become more consistent.

Addison Russell has tremendous range at short and will make the occasional error simply because he gets to more balls than others. He too, runs into the occasional problem of throwing to first when his arm drops and the ball sails on him.

Ben Zobrist has yet to make an error this year.

Anthony Rizzo is a big target for infielders over at first and has developed into one of the better first basemen in the league.

What a luxury for manager Joe Maddon to plug in Javier Baez at every infield position. Rarely does a team have a super-utility player like Baez where you don't miss a beat wherever you put him on the diamond.

From the vantage point of the broadcast booth, there were some Cubs teams in the past that looked slow in the outfield compared to their opponents, particularly in the bigger ballparks around the league like Colorado and Pittsburgh (left-center gap). That is no longer the case with Jason Heyward and Dexter Fowler getting consistent great jumps on balls hit their way.

While there is not as much room to cover at Wrigley Field, it does pose that one big challenge: There's no padding behind that ivy-covered wall. Only brick, and outfielders are reluctant getting to that brick at the same time that the ball does. Because of that, outfielders tend to play a little bit deeper to ensure they can find the wall first, instead of banging into it.

Dexter Fowler apparently is playing hitters a little bit deeper this year. Sure, there might be an occasional hit that now dumps in on him in shallow center. By playing deeper, though, he is able to find the wall easier on balls hit over his head, and he has taken away many doubles and triples.

Recent call-up and prospect Albert Almora has already made an impact by throwing a runner out at home plate in Philly, and making a sliding catch in Atlanta.

Typically, a ground ball that an infielder either boots or can't get to costs a team one out and runners might only advance one base. An error or a missed attempt on a ball in the outfield might cost a team one out and two or three bases. In mid-June, this Cubs pitching staff is talented enough to pitch over the occasional error or missed attempt in a 5-run game. In October baseball however, every out and every base takes on greater significance. The game changes, and this Cubs defense sure looks built for that possibility.

• Dave Otto, a standout athlete at Elk Grove High School, pitched from 1987-1994 for four MLB teams, including the Cubs. A former baseball analyst for WGN Radio, FoxSportsNet and Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Otto also is a member of the University of Missouri Hall of Fame.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.