The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are two of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), with histories dating back to the late 19th century. Both teams have passionate fan bases and a long-standing rivalry that dates back to their early days in the National League. In this post, we'll take a look at the history, strengths, and weaknesses of both teams to see how they match up in the 2023 season.
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History
The Chicago Cubs were founded in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings and are one of the oldest and most storied franchises in baseball. They have won three World Series titles in their history, including their most recent championship in 2016. The Cubs play their home games at Wrigley Field, one of the most iconic ballparks in the sport.
The Cincinnati Reds were also founded in 1876 as the Cincinnati Red Stockings and have a long and storied history in baseball. They have won five World Series titles in their history, including their most recent championship in 1990. The Reds play their home games at Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003.
Strengths
The Chicago Cubs have a talented lineup that is led by infielder Javier Baez, who is one of the most exciting players in the game today. Baez is a three-time All-Star and has won two Gold Gloves for his excellent defense. Other key players for the Cubs include outfielders Kris Bryant and Ian Happ, who have both shown the ability to hit for power and get on base consistently.
On the pitching side, the Cubs have a solid rotation led by ace Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks is a crafty right-hander who relies on his pinpoint control and ability to induce ground balls to get outs. The Cubs also have a strong bullpen led by closer Craig Kimbrel, who has been one of the most dominant relievers in the game for over a decade.
The Cincinnati Reds also have a talented lineup that is led by outfielder Nick Castellanos, who had a breakout season in 2022 and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting. Castellanos is a powerful hitter who can hit for both average and power, and he provides excellent defense in right field. Other key players for the Reds include third baseman Eugenio Suarez and second baseman Jonathan India, who both had solid seasons in 2022.
On the pitching side, the Reds have a solid rotation led by right-hander Luis Castillo. Castillo is a hard-throwing pitcher who can dominate hitters with his fastball and changeup. The Reds also have a solid bullpen led by closer Sean Doolittle, who has been a reliable reliever for several years.
Weaknesses
The Chicago Cubs struggled with consistency in 2022, finishing with a record of 85-77 and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Cubs' offense was inconsistent throughout the season, and they struggled to score runs at times. The team also had some issues with their defense, particularly in the outfield, where they made several costly errors.
On the pitching side, the Cubs had some issues with their starting rotation. After Hendricks, the team did not have a consistent number two starter, and they struggled to find reliable options at the back end of their rotation. The bullpen was also inconsistent at times, particularly in the middle innings, which led to several blown leads and losses.
The Cincinnati Reds also struggled with consistency in 2022, finishing with a record of 83-79 and missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Reds' offense was streaky throughout the season, and they struggled to hit with runners in scoring position at times. The team also had some issues with their defense, particularly in the infield,
