MLB: Three Teams Underperforming Run Differentials
By Ehsan Kassim
2. Chicago Cubs
2016 Record: 53-35
Run Differential: +139
2016 PythagenPat: 58-30
+/-: -5
2016 BaseRuns: 58-30
+/-: -5
For much of the first half of the season, the Chicago Cubs were seen as the class of baseball, owning the best record much of the first half. However, after a fast start, the Cubs lost nine of their final 11 games headed into the All-Star break and ceded the best overall record to the San Francisco Giants.
In fact, the Cubs were sitting at 39-15 on June 4th, but finished the first half with a record of 14-20. However, that is the luxury the Cubs set themselves up with the fast start, as all teams struggle at some point in the season.
Despite the slow finish to the first half, the Cubs still lead the second place St. Louis Cardinals by seven games at the All-Star break. The Cubs have gone just 11-14 in one-run games in 2016.
The Cubs have outscored opponents by 139 runs, which leads all of baseball. No team has scored more runs than the Cubs this season, and their .256/.348/.438 slash line with a 109 wRC+ has produced the highest team fWAR in all of baseball.
Fangraphs also rates the Cubs defense as the best in baseball, tied with the San Francisco Giants for that honor.
Cubs starting pitching ranks fifth in fWAR, sixth in FIP and first in ERA among National League teams. Four of the Cubs’ five starting pitcher rank among the top 25 in the National League, with Jason Hammel falling behind the rest of the rotation.
However, the Cubs relievers have struggled this season, posting a 3.94 ERA and a 4.20 FIP in 253.1 innings of work in 2016.
With not many deficiencies on their roster, the Cubs could look to improve over Hammel as the fifth starter or look for a veteran bullpen arm to help bolster their bullpen.
The Cubs are in the middle of a historic season and will look to get back on track as they start the second half today.
Next: Number 1