Chicago Cubs in good shape, but still plenty of work to do
If ever a team needed an all-star break, it was the Chicago Cubs.
Now, it's back to business for the Cubs, who resume their chase for a National League Central title and a playoff run they hope will end with a World Series victory.
The Cubs limped into the break with a 6-15 record in their final 21 games after seemingly sitting on top of the world on June 19. Despite that slump, the Cubs still are in a good spot. Their record of 53-35 has them leading the NL Central by 7 games over the St. Louis Cardinals, the biggest lead among baseball's division leaders.
There's still work to be done. Here are some things the Cubs will need to do if they're going to finish the job.
Make the schedule work:
So much was made of the Cubs finishing the unofficial first half of the season with 24 games in 24 days. No doubt the Cubs looked a fatigued bunch, even well before that stretch ended.
They now have four days of rest - except for their all-stars - behind them, and even though there are some tough games ahead, the schedule favors the Cubs.
The "second half" opens with three games against the Texas Rangers, who lead the American League West despite recent struggles of their own.
The New York Mets, who swept the Cubs at Citi Field a couple of weeks ago, come to town for three next Monday-Wednesday.
A big-picture look at the schedule reveals the Cubs do not have to board an airplane until Aug. 4, when they take off for a short weekend trip to Oakland.
Before then, the Cubs will bus up to Milwaukee for three games and then come back to Chicago to play the White Sox "on the road" at U.S. Cellular Field before coming home to play the Sox, Mariners and Marlins.
After the Oakland trip, the Cubs come home for a nine-game homestand against the Angels, Cardinals and Brewers.
Overall, that's a stretch of just three games in 35 days outside of easy driving distance.
Get their "constant" back:
Having Dexter Fowler fall into their laps in spring training was one of the best things to happen to the Cubs.
Fowler opted to return to Chicago instead of going to Baltimore, and by doing so he helped the Cubs by giving them a constant, both in the leadoff spot and in center field.
His return also enabled Jason Heyward to return to his preferred right-field spot.
The Cubs definitely have missed all-star Fowler since he went on the disabled list June 20 with a hamstring strain.
Although Fowler was batting only .207 in June, his line for the season is .290/.398/.483 with 7 homers and 28 RBI.
He made a rehab start last week at Class A South Bend before heading to San Diego to take part in All-Star Game festivities.
The sooner Fowler comes back and can contribute, the better for the Cubs.
Find the pitching:
The bullpen is a frequent and sometimes too easy target when things don't go well.
During the last homestand, Cubs president Theo Epstein wasn't going there. While the bullpen has struggled, Epstein pointed out the offense wasn't grinding out at-bats as they were earlier in the season. Starting pitching also has a way of making or breaking a bullpen.
Cubs starters are on a slide of 10 straight non-quality starts. That puts a strain on the relievers.
Another axiom of baseball is the bullpen a team begins the season with is never the one it finishes with. So expect the Cubs to swing a deal for at least one reliever.
New York Yankees lefties Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman have been mentioned most often, but there's no guarantee the Yankees are interested in moving either one.
The Cubs have veterans Clayton Richard and Joe Nathan rehabbing in the minor leagues. Richard, an important part of last year's playoff run, was largely ineffective in the first half, and a finger blister and nail injury finally put him on the DL June 21.
Veteran left-hander Brian Matusz, who pitched for the Baltimore Orioles from 2009 until this season (7 games), was moved Thursday from the Cubs' Class AA affiliate in Tennessee to Class AAA Iowa.
So if reinforcements don't come from outside the organization, there are bullpen possibilities from within.
Scouting report
Cubs vs. Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet Friday; ABC 7 Saturday and Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Kyle Hendricks (7-6) vs. Martin Perez (7-5) Friday; Jason Hammel (7-5) vs. Yu Darvish (2-0) Saturday; John Lackey (7-5) vs. Cole Hamels (9-2) Sunday. All games 1:20 p.m.
At a glance: Both teams entered the all-star break struggling. The Rangers (54-36) lead the American League West, but their run differential is only plus-16. The Cubs (53-35) lead the NL Central with a run differential of plus-139. Rangers pitching ranks eighth in AL with an ERA of 4.42 while the Cubs are second in the NL at 3.36. Darvish will come off the DL to pitch. He has been out with shoulder discomfort and has made only 3 starts this season after missing all of last year because of Tommy John surgery. Ian Desmond leads the Texas offense with a line of .322/.375/.524 with 15 homers and 55 RBI. Rougned Odor has 16 homers and 46 RBI. The Cubs' Kris Bryant leads the NL in homers (25). He also has 65 RBI to go with a line of .286/.384/.578. Anthony Rizzo ended the unofficial first half on a tear, bringing his line to .299/.416/.591 with 21 homers and 63 RBI.
Next: New York Mets at Wrigley Field, Monday-Wednesday
- Bruce Miles