Opinion
3 min read

Cubs and Royals to Tangle in Midsummer Classic at Kauffman

In the realm of baseball, few things are as unpredictable as the game itself. Yet, when analyzing the Chicago Cubs' recent performances and their upcoming face-off against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, certain patterns emerge that could hint at what fans might expect on July 28.


Aug 20, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Chicago Cubs second baseman Christopher Morel (5), left, and Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) talk with Kansas City Royals right fielder Nelson Velazquez (17) before the teams game at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs have shown a resilience that belies their underdog status in recent games. Their victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 21 was a testament to their tenacity. Despite being out-hit four to two, they managed to secure a win in extra innings, showcasing not just skill but also sheer willpower. This game highlighted both their strengths and weaknesses: while hits were hard to come by, resulting in a batting average of .125 for that game, their pitching staff held strong with an ERA of just 0.9 over ten innings pitched.


However, it wasn't all sunshine for the Cubs in their series against Arizona. The previous day's match saw them shut out completely despite accumulating four hits throughout nine innings. This inconsistency at bat has been a recurring theme for CHC this season; they've struggled to convert opportunities into runs, as evidenced by hitting .129 with runners in scoring position across these two games.


Aug 20, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) catches a fly ball hit by Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Yet amidst these struggles lies hope—particularly from an unlikely source: their bullpen and defense have been nothing short of stellar. With no errors committed across these crucial games and an impressive display from relief pitchers who maintained a perfect fielding percentage alongside minimal WHIP (Walks + Hits per Innings Pitched), it's clear that CHC's strategy leans heavily on stifling opponents' offenses until they can find those pivotal moments to score.


This brings us to the looming battle with KC at Kauffman Stadium—a venue where away teams often find challenges but also opportunities for redemption. Given CHC's recent performance metrics and considering KC’s own season dynamics (not covered here but equally important), this game is shaping up more like David vs Goliath than some might expect.


Aug 20, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (19) hits an RBI single against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

For Cubs fans looking forward to this matchup, there are reasons for cautious optimism: if CHC can leverage its pitching prowess while finding even marginal improvements at bat—especially during clutch moments—they stand more than just a fighting chance against KC.


As we look towards July 28th’s showdown scheduled for 2:10 PM EDT at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO; fans should mark their calendars and tune into BSKC network for live coverage of what promises not only be another chapter in this storied rivalry but potentially one of the defining moments of CHC’s season.

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