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Rookie
OVR: 1
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Knoxville, TN
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Re: From Goats to Champs- A Chicago Cubs MLB 14 The Show Dynasty
So I restarted the series, let's look at how it differs:
Simmed through April 14, the Cubs are 21-18 and are leading the NL Central. Holy crap. I knew things might change, but I didn't know it would happen this much. Of course I don't expect us to win the division, but it would be great if we could or win the NL wild card, and it would also be a huge boon for both new GM Sam Wiseman and manager Rick Renteria.
Let's look at how the player stats differ through May 13, 2014:
SP Jeff Samardzija
In my old series, he went through a slump in April and came out of it in May. Here, he's just been bad. He's currently 2-4 with a 7.91 ERA. I was thinking of trading him, but no team wants a pitcher that bad.
SP Travis Wood
So far the best performer. He's 5-1 with a 2.33 ERA, and could eventually move up in the rotation should Samardzija continue to struggle.
SP Edwin Jackson
In my old series, he was phenomenal through April, but cooled off in May. Not so now. A 3-3 record with a 3.86 ERA and 34 K's isn't bad, but for him to keep his job he's going to have to do better.
SP Jason Hammel
He's stayed the closest in his performance to my old series. He had a rough April but is starting to pick it up in May.
SP Jake Arrieta
Pretty much the same kind of numbers as Jackson, but it's better for him since a young inexperienced pitcher is expected to give up more runs than a veteran.
SP Justin Grimm
A new face, I put him in as the long reliever after seeing the Cubs' Opening Day roster. Has been just fine out of the bullpen so far, and I'm going to keep him there so he can develop his skills enough to become a member of the rotation.
RP Jose Veras
In my old series, he was good, but didn't often have the chance to pitch because of the team's tendency to win by lots. In this, he's been outstanding, nailing down 14 saves with an ERA of 1.23 and 16 K. His potential has even improved, so there may be even more development. If we were doing poorly, I might consider trading him, but with the way we're going I don't know yet.
RP Pedro Strop
Another great performer out of the bullpen, he has not allowed an earned run yet, and struck out 13. I may trade Veras anyway, because Strop has shown he is ready for the closer role.
RP Wesley Wright
Solid lefty, he has a win and 14 Ks with an ERA of 2.38. He seems to really be the determinator of the Cubs bullpen, as he doesn't get called in often, but when he does, he gives it everything.
RP James Russell
Wright is the lefty set-up for a reason. Russell's ERA is nearing 6, as he's going through a slump, but we have no better options for lefties.
RP Carlos Villanueva
The veteran presence in the bullpen is also the workhorse, pitching 20 full innings with 19 K and just a 1.37 ERA. Much better than my previous series.
RP Alberto Cabrera
The youngest member of the bullpen was called up when Blake Parker was injured, and has proven himself reliable, pitching 12 innings, winning 3 games, and having an ERA of 1.50. After Parker left the DL I optioned him because Cabrera was doing much better. Hopefully Cabrera can continue to impress, and Parker can find his form in Triple-A.
C Welington Castillo
His average is .238, but his OBP and SLG are both upwards of .315, both great to see from a bottom of the order guy. He'll likely stick around.
C John Baker
Fewer at bats, but not bad overall. He's also shown patience at the plate, which is great to have from a traditionally defensive catcher. (OBP is .310)
1B Anthony Rizzo
Good numbers out of him. Not the best on the team in average, but a .275 is nothing to sneeze at, and he has 9 HR and 25 RBI. Exactly what we want.
2B Darwin Barney
.225 average, which is about normal for him (no Baez this time...sigh). He's here to be our defensive specialist, but I have a feeling he's not going to stick around for very long.
3B Mike Olt
Wow. What a difference. In my old series, he was so bad I had given up on him, with a .125 average or something...just awful. Now, he has a .252 average, 4 HR, and a SLG in the stratosphere at .409. Great to see from a talented young player who is living up to expectations so far.
3B Luis Valbuena
Again, huge difference. In my old series I started him against RHP and he turned out to be decent. In this series he's struggling to crack .200. Looks like Olt's spot for a while.
SS Starlin Castro
What's the problem with him? Our supposed star player is barely over the Mendoza line at .201 and only 7 RBI. I guess when he slumps, he slumps hard.
OF Junior Lake
Huge turnaround again. In my old series, he was down with Olt in the .100s. Now, he's batting .308 with 2 HR, 8 RBI, and an OBP of .380. Oh, and no errors either. Great to see the young talent is picking it up early this time.
OF Ryan Sweeney
In my old series, he was cracking it out of the #2 hole. Here, he's at .209 and in a cold spell. Hopefully this will turn around.
OF Josh Vitters
Called him up after Bonifacio went on the 60-day DL. He had been tearing up Triple-A so I hope he'll produce here.
OF Ryan Kalish
He hasn't gotten too many chances to hit, but when he has, he's been solid. He even has a home run and 2 RBI after only 7 at-bats. I think I need to use him a little more.
OF Emilio Bonifacio (60-day DL)
After a rough start, he appeared like he was going to turn it around, when a broken foot put him on the 60-day. Tough break, I liked using him.
OF Justin Ruggiano
In my old series, he bounced around .200. It's been different this time, as he has homered 4 times and drove in 15 runs. The average at .231 is good but not great, and combined with 31 strikeouts it's a little disappointing for someone we wanted to see as a power hitter.
OF Nate Schierholtz
Probably the team's best performer so far. The average is up around .294 and his SLG is astronomical at .541. He has 6 HR and 18 RBI, and looks like a sure lock for a high-lineup spot. He'll make a nice trade chip for us.
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08-06-2014, 01:35 PM
A .315 mark is terrible, a .410 mark is okay, a .541 mark is very good. But it isn't scaled like OBP is lol.
