10 Observations from the Cubs Series with the Rangers

The Chicago Cubs wrapped up their first season series on Sunday with a 9-5 victory over the Texas Rangers, avoiding a sweep in Arlington.

Would we like to see better?

Yes.

Should we also be happy with one (almost two) of three against the reigning World Series champs?

Probably. For now, anyway.

With the series in the books, let’s discuss some of the finer points from the first three of 162 for the Chicago Cubs this season in something I’ll be doing here in the BN Newsletter the morning after every Cubs series wraps this season (except those days that fall on Saturday or Sunday, those will be held for the Monday edition): 10 Observations.

Jordan Wicks was much better than his line on Sunday

Wicks finished with a line of 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 R, 5 H, 6 K, 3 BB, and a no-decision. But let’s be honest: his defense did him no favors on Sunday, and his stuff was far better than the box score would indicate. Wicks registered 19 whiffs on 85 pitches against the Rangers on Sunday.

Aside from the evident three unearned runs, how much did the defense cost Wicks on Sunday? Only three balls hit into fair territory by Rangers hitters were considered hard-hit balls (via Statcast).

Wicks recorded 19 whiffs, and the average exit velocity on his three pitches that he threw more than fifteen times was 91.6 miles per hour or less.

Thankfully, the bullpen was solid behind Wicks, and the bats took advantage of a rough day at the office for the Rangers pitching staff.

Christopher Morel’s bat is going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting to justify him working through his lumps at third base