Diary of a Chicago Sports Fan

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Cubs tougher on Reds than Joe McCarthy, Bears have a Steve Martin draft, and Sox hitters still woeful

The Cubs are giving evidence of just what an offense they can be. The fact that they've been pounding the ball against the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds staffs is just a coincidence, I'm sure. Saturday's 12-8 win over the Reds featured 3 run homers by Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward and grand slam by Willson Contreras.

Jake Arrieta gave up 4 runs in 6 innings, but most of that was a 3 run homer by Joey Votto in the first. Jake struck out 8 and walked none. The win improved Arrieta's record to 3-0.

Set another place at the table?

The Cubs figured to have a potent offense, but if Jason Heyward joins the party it could really be dynamic. After Saturday's game, Heyward's had an OPS of .787. That's close to what he had in his last year with the Cardinals. His WAR that season was 6.5. 

That Mendoza fellow was a real slugger

Meanwhile, on the south side, the White Sox continue to have starting pitchers go down and hitters who can't. As I write this, the Sox are down to the Indians 6-0 in the bottom of the 7^th, But, Sox center fielder, Jacob May, did get his first hit. Jose Abreu is hitting under .200. As I write this Todd Frazier and Cody Asche are hitting under .100. Somewhere, in some minor league, there's got to be some lumbering moose who could help the White Sox. Every year the Sox seem to struggle to get even minimal production out of the DH slot. Why is it so hard?

In his own image?

I've talked about the Sox lack of success in producing position players before. I think sometimes former players in management positions tend to draft players in their own image. As a player, Kenny Williams was a toolsey guy who couldn't hit or master the game. That seems to sum up the Sox positional players on the minor league level.

What would Steve do?

As the NFL draft draws near, there's lots of mock drafts out there. Most seem to have the Bears taking somebody to help in their defensive backfield. That seems like a good idea to me. The Bears have been woefully short of play makers on defense for years.

Remember Geno and Johnny

A wide receiver wouldn't hurt either. Or help on the offensive line. One thing I hope they won't do is reach for a quarterback. The Jets and Browns have both reached for quarterbacks and it hurt the team's growth. I'm not a huge fan of Mike Glennon, but I'd rather see him get a shot than draft a quarterback with the third pick in this year's draft.

More next time.