NO WORRIES
Forget the past, this Cubs team has been built to survive the worst October has to offer CUBS 5, PADRES 3 Arrieta allows two hits in eight scoreless innings
SAN DIEGO — As anyone who has followed or studied the Cubs for the last century or so knows, the team has an uncanny ability to miss its target.
No matter how many All- Stars ( eight in 2008), no matter how many future Hall of Famers ( five in 1969, counting the manager), no matter how late the lead in Game 6.
So as the Cubs’ dominating season closes in on October, it’s certainly reasonable to beware of things that go bump in the ninth or to sweat 97 mph setup man Hector Rondon’s triceps injury.
But unlike some previous Cubs playoff seasons, this one comes with a few guarantees.
No? Nothing’s guaranteed? Obviously, any number of things can waylay the best- laid plans of any juggernaut. But rest assured that these potential causes for concern won’t keep the Cubs from reaching their goals:
Jason Heyward’s presence in the lineup: The Cubs’ $ 184 million free- agent jewel of the offseason has been a bust at the plate. But that hasn’t prevented the team from producing the best record in the majors with the second- highest run total in the National League, scoring more than five runs per game. The significant point, though, is that Heyward already is one of the best defensive outfielders in franchise history, helping the Cubs become the best team in baseball in turning balls in play into outs by a large margin. That’s an especially precious commodity in the postseason. And with Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo driving the lineup at MVP levels, it’s a commodity the Cubs have the luxury to afford.
Tommy La Stella’s absence: With all due respect to the backup infielder’s heady confidence in his abilities and improved skills at second and third base, the Cubs can win — and have won — without him. He’s a bench player with a good eye, exceptional contact- hitting skills, friendly banter and little else. When he refused for weeks to report to the minors after being op- tioned during a roster numbers crunch, the sideshow overshadowed his contributions. The Cubs actually have a better winning percentage without him (. 667) than with him (. 588). In fact, they have a losing record in the last 31 games he has played ( 15- 16).
The Mets: The team that swept the Cubs out of the playoffs last year? The team that was in the Cubs’ heads when they went to New York to play them at midseason? That team doesn’t exist anymore. The Mets are an injuryplagued, .500 team that has trouble scoring runs, and their vaunted pitching staff is springing leaks. Left- hander Steven Matz went on the disabled list Monday with a shoulder injury. Matt Harvey, who started Game 1 last year against the Cubs, is out for the season with a nerve- related injury.
John Lackey’s shoulder: The big- game veteran who was signed in large part because of his World Series pedigree and age- defying production last season plans to be at full strength when the playoffs start. But he wouldn’t suggest even a vague timeline — much less optimism — when he went on the DL on Friday. Could the Cubs use him in the playoffs? Of course. Will they be in dire straits without him? No. That has more to do with the breakout of Kyle Hendricks as an elite performer this season ( MLB-leading 2.16 ERA) and the ability of Jason Hammel to sustain his firsthalf success into the second half for the first time in three seasons. They’re big reasons the Cubs have by far the top- performing rotation in the majors and figure to stack up three or four deep with a playoff opponent even with Lackey sidelined.
So trust us. Save the handwringing. Nothing can go wrong because of these issues.
Now, if you’re going to start talking about all those other things that go bump in the ninth — not to mention the Giants and Nationals — well, no guarantees there.