Are Craig Counsell's Cubs Bad at the Fundamentals?
A Look at the Numbers
There is no doubt that the Chicago Cubs have struggled in recent years. After winning the World Series in 2016, the team has posted losing records in each of the past four seasons. One of the reasons for the Cubs' struggles has been their poor play in the fundamentals. In 2022, the Cubs ranked near the bottom of the league in several key defensive metrics, including fielding percentage, errors, and double plays turned. They also struggled to run the bases effectively, finishing in the bottom third of the league in stolen bases and caught stealing. The Cubs' poor fundamentals have cost them games. In 2022, they lost several games due to errors or baserunning blunders. These mistakes have been particularly frustrating for fans, who have seen their team make the same mistakes over and over again.What Can Be Done?
There is no easy solution to the Cubs' problems with the fundamentals. However, there are some things that the team can do to improve. One step that the Cubs can take is to focus on improving their fielding. This means working on their fielding drills and making sure that they are getting the proper repetitions in practice. The team can also benefit from adding a fielding coach to their staff. Another area that the Cubs need to improve is their baserunning. The team needs to be more aggressive on the basepaths and take more chances. They also need to be better at executing their baserunning plays. Finally, the Cubs need to improve their communication on the field. This means making sure that everyone is on the same page and that they are aware of the team's defensive and baserunning plans.Conclusion
The Cubs' struggles with the fundamentals have been a major factor in their recent struggles. However, there are some things that the team can do to improve. By focusing on improving their fielding, baserunning, and communication, the Cubs can get back to being a competitive team.Sources:
* Fangraphs * Baseball Reference * MLB.com
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