SHL National Originals: Red-Hot Cubs Climb Within One of Division Lead

The Chicago Cubs (49-39) might have some of the worst offensive numbers in the SHL but it hasn’t stopped them from staying in contention in the National Originals division.  Thanks to a mediocre July from the Braves and Phillies, the All-Time Cubs have climbed into a tie for second with the Braves and trail the Phillies by just one game through July 20.

The Cubs play four on the road — two across town against the White Sox and two in St. Louis — before a 10-game home stand against the Marlins (for two), Giants (for four), Mariners (for two) and Reds (for two).  The Cubs do not face a team that currently has a winning record until a two-game set in Pittsburgh against the Pirates on August 9th and 11th.

The Cubs bats have heated up in July with Ryne Sandberg and Ron Santo leading the way.  Sandberg is hitting a torrid .353 with a 1.066 OPS along with five homers, 13 RBI and 13 runs scored while Santo leads the club in July with a .390 batting average.  Santo also has a 1.027 OPS and two homers, 11 RBI and seven runs scored. 

The Cubs are 11-6 in July and recently swept the Tigers in exciting fashion at Wrigley.  On Friday, down 7-4 in the bottom of the eighth, Sandberg blasted his 11th homer of the year to cut the lead to 7-5.  Then, pinch hitter Sammy Sosa blasted a 403′ two-run shot to right center despite a 9-mph wind blowing in from center to tie the game at 7.  In the bottom of the 10th, the Cubs loaded the bases with one out and Bill Dahlen delivered a walk-off single to plate Ernie Banks and give the Cubs the 8-7 win.  The win pushed the Cubs within one game of the Phillies and Braves who were briefly tied at the top of the division.

The next day, the Cubs broke open a 1-1 pitcher’s duel with a seven-run eighth.  In the inning, the Cubs first seven runners reached base and Santo broke the 1-1 tie with a two-run double.  Even though the Tigers answered with three runs in the top of the ninth, it was not enough to keep the Cubs out of the win column as they took the second game, 8-4 and kept pace with the Phillies and tied them for second with the Braves who lost.  Orval Overall picked up the win, his team-leading 12th of the season.

“Tough Luck” Christy a Giant Concern:  The Giants (44-44) may be playing .500 ball but being six games out and at the bottom of the division, things aren’t looking up.  Since starting 29-18 through May, the Giants have posted a 15-26 record since June 1. 

An even bigger concern is All-Time Giants ace Christy Mathewson.  Mathewson is 0-8 in his last nine starts despite tossing in four quality starts.  His last win came against the Orioles on May 31 but he hasn’t found the win column since.  Despite a 3.53 ERA and 14 quality starts in 21 games, Mathewson is 5-12 and is just one behind Bert Blyleven of the Rangers and Nolan Ryan of the Angels for the league lead in losses.

Part of Mathewson’s troubles has been run support in his quality outings and the fact that he has been hammered by lefties.  Lefties are hitting .310 with a .798 OPS against Mathewson while righties are batting just .205 with a .526 OPS.  He has also struggled on the road where he is 2-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 10 starts.

The Giants are reaching a crucial point in the season and need Mathewson and the team to line up their efforts if they are going to bounce back and get back into contention with the rest of the highly competitive Originals division.  Fortunately for Mathewson, his next start will come at home as the Giants finish up the last six games of their 10-game home stand although home has not been sweet — they’ve lost eight of their last nine there.

Braves and the Land of (Missed) Opportunity:  The Braves (49-39) have managed to tie the Phillies for a share of the National Originals division three times this month but in all three occasions, the Phillies have distanced themselves by one game.  For the first time in three deadlocks, the Braves had a chance to pass the Phillies on July 18th when the Phillies lost.  Unfortunately, the first of two with the Indians failed to go the Braves way as the Indians jumped all over the SHL’s ERA leader, Greg Maddux, for two in the first and two in the second.  Maddux settled down and went seven but allowed five runs (three earned) and the Indians kept the Braves from moving in front of the Phillies with a 5-3 win.

The next day, Sam McDowell and the Indians shut out the Braves and McDowell allowed the All-Time Braves just four hits in his complete game shutout win over John Smoltz and the Braves in their 4-0 loss.

Carlton, “Cy” Contender:  The Phillies lead in the Originals division might be shrinking but one of the team’s excellent starting pitching rotation is emerging as a Cy Young contender.  Steve Carlton has been dominant this season and despite one poor outing in July, Carlton is 2-1 and the club is 3-1 in his four starts.  His biggest win of the month came against Rube Waddell and the Athletics as Carlton outdueled Waddell and gave the Phillies a 1-0 win.  Carlton gave way to Billy Wagner in the bottom of the ninth with two outs after “Lefty” gave up a double to Al Simmons that put the go-ahead run at second and Rickey Henderson just 90 feet away.  Wagner preserved the win for his 13th save and gave Carlton his 14th victory of the season.  Carlton is 14-4 with a 3.42 ERA this year and is on pace to notch 24 wins.