C10
WHAT TO WATCH
KANSAN.COM
+
Associated Press
Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, right, catches Miami Marlins' Derek Dietrich during the fourth inning of a baseball game. Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in Chicago.
Associated Press
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels works against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game,
Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Arlington, Texas.
Associated Press baseball game
DAILY DEBATE: Who will win the World Series?
JARED ANDERSON
@tjAnderson_38
Chicago Cubs
With MLB regular-season play winding down and the postseason right around the corner, the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants have begun to establish themselves as elite teams this season.
The tight matchups and standout talent this year has helped raise the question: "Who will win the 2016 World Series?"
For the Chicago Cubs, their path begins with manager Joe Maddon, a man who has helped bring back the winning tradition to the Chicago Cubs organization. In 2015, he was able to lead the Cubs to the NL championship game and was named the NL manager of the year.
The Chicago Cubs, who have suffered a 108-year championship drought,
look more promising than ever to win it all in 2016.
This year, Chicago has made key moves to help improve their clubhouse, which includes the addition of former Kansas City Royals' utility player Ben Zobrist as well as outfielder Dexter Fowler, who was signed to a two-year, $13 million deal.
The Cubs have one of the deepest pitching staffs that the MLB has seen in a very long time in 2016 with Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and Jason Hammel — all have posted a top 20 ERA this regular season.
Alongside Chicago's elite pitchers is a group of talent in the field and at the plate that are impressive on their own. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo carry the No. 1 and No. 4 spots on the National League's wins above replacement list, with 5.2 and 4.3 wins. Within the past two seasons, Bryant and Rizzo have become the Cubs' dynamic duo.
Bryant currently holds the second spot in the NL for home runs hits with 28 while Rizzo is also fourth in the NL runs batted in, with 85 this year.
Although the Chicago Cubs are considered by many as the team to beat this postseason, American League teams such as the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox have shown they are ready to put up a fight. With the Rangers currently sitting on top of the AL West and David Ortiz having one of the best seasons of his career on his retirement tour, there is no shortage of competition.
Although these teams may have some of the qualifications necessary to win it all, the Chicago Cubs deep bullpen, strategic manager and pure talent at the plate will allow them to prevail among the rest and put an end to their organization's championship drought.
JORDAN WOLF
@Jordan-WolfKU
Texas Rangers
Due to impressive moves made at the deadline, the Rangers now boast one of the most well-rounded and complete lineups in all of baseball. The team acquired catcher Jonathon Lucroy and outfielder Carlos Beltran, filling two of the team's few glaring needs. After inserting Lucroy and Beltran into the lineup, every Ranger is
The Texas Rangers currently sit atop the American League West, and are consistently near the top of the entire AL standings. Entering the final two months of the season, however, the team has unspectacular stats: they rank only eighth in batting average and are all the way down at No. 23 in ERA. So, why exactly should this team be a legitimate threat to win it all?
now a constant threat to do damage at the plate.
The additions of Lucroy and Beltran were essential for the Rangers to make a late playoff push. Before, a combination of Robinson Chirinos and Bobby Wilson started behind the plate. This pair hit a combined .219, becoming arguably the team's biggest downfall. A similar effect was felt in the outfield, as Ryan Rua's meager .266 average dragged the team down as well.
Lucroy and Beltran are instant fixes for these issues. Before being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers, Lucroy was batting .299. Meanwhile, Beltran had slugged 22 home runs for the New York Yankees before the trade, more than any Texas hitter. Both players were selected to the 2016 MLB All-Star Game.
After including these two, the Rangers' worst hitter is longtime first baseman Mitch Moreland. However, despite
only hitting .246 thus far. Moreland has hit 18 home runs and plays above-average defense, so his presence can be considered a net-positive. The rest of the Rangers' offense performs strongly as well, as no other regular hits below .270. It's hard to find many things wrong with this lineup.
In order for a team to succeed in the postseason, it's essential that they have a complete roster with as few holes as possible. A team can be led by star players and have stats that pop off the page, but when it comes down to it in October, it's all about consistency.
An entire season can hinge on one late game atbat a team needs to ensure that at-bat is taken by a solid hitter, not an offensive liability. The Rangers need not worry about such a scenario, as they have taken the steps necessary to guarantee themselves as good of a shot at the title as anyone.
CAREER FAIR IS 4 WEEKS AWAY! START PLANNING YOUR FUTURE TODAY.
MAKE YOUR CAREER CENTER APPOINTMENT NOW!
ecc@ku.edu
SAVE THESE DATES
• Sept. 20 - Evening with Industry
• Sept. 21 - Engineering &
Computing Career Fair
KU ENGINEERING CAREER CENTER
Resume Reviews
Elevator Pitches
1410 Leep 2
785-864-3891 ecc.ku.edu
Job Postings
Cover Letters
Mock Interviews
Salary Negotiations
Grad School Advising
---