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The Chicago Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 Friday behind a strong performance of starting pitcher, Jameson Taillon. Taillon went seven scoreless innings and was backed up by Tyson Miller and Porter Hodge who each pitched a scoreless frame. The win ran Taillon’s record to 12-8 while Hodge picked up his eighth save. The game also highlighted the Jekyll and Hyde effect of Wrigley Field.
The wind was blowing in at 20+ mph which meant that hitting a ball out of the park was extremely unlikely. And sure enough, the Cubs’ run scored after Nico Hoerner lined a double into the left field corner. Pete Crow Armstrong followed with a sacrifice bunt. Hoerner then scored on Miguel Amaya‘s short fly ball to right field on an aggressive send by Cubs’ third base coach, Willie Harris.
What is Wrigley Field doing to Cubs’ hitters?
Going into Friday’s game, Cubs’ hitter had a collective OPS of .677 at home at .747 on the road. That’s a significant difference. The NL average for OPS is .719. In the AL it’s .704, but keep in mind the White Sox are in the AL. They’ve hit 78 home runs at home and 92 on the road. Interestingly, their record at home is 43-36 despite the lack of offensive production. On the road, they went 39-42. With two home games left, the Cubs have scored 101 more runs on the road than at home. That’s astounding. The current count is 417-316.
The Cubs’ pitching was definitely helped by Wrigley Field
The Cubs’ pitching home and away splits mirror that of the Cubs’ hitters. The Cubs’ pitchers gave up a collectively OBP of .746. So, whatever gains the Cubs’ hitters recorded on the road were negated by the pitching staff. But one stat stands out. Blown saves. In May the Cubs were 3-9 in save opportunities. In June they were 8-13 and in July the pen converted of 3-6. For the months of May, June and July the Cubs were 14-28.
When the Cubs went on a tear in August, the pen converted 8-10 save opportunities.
Obviously, the pen was a huge issue and was a key reason why the Cubs’ 2024 season slipped away.
A few particulars about Cubs’ hitters at Wrigley Field
Ian Happ actually performed well at Wrigley Field, recording an OPS of .847 with 13 home runs. Seiya Suzuki had an OPS of .752, with eight home runs. The OPS was okay, but not great. He was much better on the road. Michael Busch was good for eight home runs and an OPS of .692. His overall mark is an OPS of .790 with 21 home runs.
Midseason pickup, Isaac Paredes, was shockingly bad at Wrigley. His OPS of .310 with one home run is scary bad. Cody Bellinger‘s OPS of .706 with eight home runs at Wrigley isn’t good enough either. Pete Crow-Armstong was also really bad, hitting three home runs to go with an OPS of .576. His overall OPS is .676.
And yet the Cubs have a good home record.
What to make of the data
Obviously, the data shows the Cubs need to shore up the bullpen. While it took shape in August, the Cubs can’t afford a lull in effectiveness in 2025 like they did in 2024. But the offense is a quandary. Do they go for a big thumper? Is a home run threat somewhat negated by the wind conditions of Wrigley Field?
I have advocated for the trading of Hoerner, but maybe, despite having a poor year hitting at Wrigley, maybe Hoerner is the type of player the Cubs should keep. He makes contact, is a great defender, and can steal a base. The type of things that help win a low scoring game.
Matt Shaw will probably force his way into the Cubs’ lineup in 2025. Shaw is a line drive hitter with some power who can also steal a base. In other words, a guy that can help a team win games in multiple ways.
Maybe that’s the point of the data.
