with a high-and-tight 1-2 fastball, then

with a high-and-tight 1-2 fastball, then

30.07.2019 16:27

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Chicago CubsOverall: 48 Title track: 65 Ownership: 11 Coaching: T4 Players: 5 Fan relations: 11 Affordability: 100 Stadium experience: 23 Bang for the buck: 107 Change from last year: +11The Cubs might have begun this century in the basement, but theyve worked their way up to the penthouse and finished the 2016 regular season with the best record in baseball ... this year or any year since 2004. Since Theo Epstein took over this team, it has won 61, 66, 73, 97 and 103 games -- and those win totals represent just part of the progress the organization has made the past five years.Whats goodThe Cubs fifth-ranked roster (second in MLB to only the even-year magician Giants, who finally lost in an even year ... to the Cubs) has a plethora of young, talented position players, beginning with the infield (Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez?!). The additions of Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward gave the Cubs even more character, as they replaced a losing atmosphere with winning baseball players. Everyone knows the impact Joe Maddon (fourth overall, behind only Buck Showalter in MLB) has on this team, but way under the radar is the staff Epstein calls its pitching infrastructure: pitching coach Chris Bosio, bullpen coach Lester Strode and catching coach Mike Borzello. The three have overseen the best staff in baseball.Whats badAs in many big markets, going to a Cubs game isnt very affordable (It wasnt even cheap when they were losing!). At an average of $51 per seat, only the Red Sox and Yankees charge more than the Cubs. At least now fans can leave happy: The team set a franchise record with 57 wins at Wrigley Field this season. Of course, as Yankees fans will tell you, that just means higher costs. Prices increased about 10 percent across the board after last season, and premium games continue to increase in price as well. Now that the team looks like a sustained winner, the demand is simply greater than the supply. Expect more increases.Whats newWrigley Field continues its makeover, and every year, there will be more added to the fan and player experience. A much-needed new clubhouse debuted this year, and it didnt disappoint. It has every amenity a player could ask for, including some rehab facilities that previously could be found only in Mesa, Arizona, at the Cubs spring home. Everything in the bleachers is new, including a party area in the first couple rows that can be rented out by groups. The video scoreboards no longer draw criticism, as they have blended in with the overall look of Wrigley Field. All those amenities helped the Cubs rankings in stadium experience (up 29 spots) and fan relations (up 39 to 11th overall).Next: San Diego Padres | Full rankings Mitch Moreland Jersey . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. Xander Bogaerts Red Sox Jersey . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. http://www.officialredsoxfanstore.com/authentic-tony-conigliaro-red-sox-jersey/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. J. D. Martinez Jersey . Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. Jimmie Foxx Red Sox Jersey . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Not even David Ortiz could help the Boston Red Sox overcome missed opportunities in the final game of a long trip away from Fenway Park.Enny Romero relieved with two outs in the ninth inning and fanned the Red Sox slugger to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 2-1 win Thursday and a four-game split with the Red Sox.A day earlier, the 40-year-old Ortiz reached 30 home runs and 100 RBI. Ortiz was rested for the final day of an 11-game road trip that saw Boston go 7-4. The Red Sox, who began the day tied with Toronto for the AL East lead, lost the final two games of the series.There are times you look back, today being one of them, that you could have capitalized on situations and had a different outcome, Boston manager John Farrell said.After Mookie Betts put the Red Sox up 1-0 on a sacrifice fly in the sixth, Jake Odorizzi (9-5) avoided a big inning by getting an inning-ending double play from Jackie Bradley Jr. with the bases loaded.Tyler Sturdevant struck out Hanley Ramirez and Bradley to begin the ninth, and Romero was summoned. Romero sent Ortiz to the ground with a high-and-tight 1-2 fastball, then got him to look at strike three.Ortiz is one of the best hitters Ive face in my career, Romero said. I throw a cutter and he takes it.Mikie Mahtook ended a stretch of 34 hitless at-bats with a go-ahead double in the seventh off Drew Pomeranz (10-10), who is 2/3 since being traded from San Diego to Boston.It was a relief, Mahtook said.Odorizzi (9-5) improved to 6-0 in eight starts since the All-Star break. He gave up one run and five hits in seven innings.Betts was thrownn out by Mahtook from left field trying to stretch a single into a double in the eighth.ddddddddddddPomeranz struck out a career-high 11 in six-plus innings.Our starting rotation has done a great job, Pomeranz said. Little things here and there, a little bad luck sometimes has made the difference in games. But were playing well, weve had a good road trip and now were going home.Tampa Bay tied it at 1 in the bottom of the sixth when Evan Longoria doubled and scored on Brad Millers single. Miller had 31 RBI since the All-Star break.TRAINERS ROOMRed Sox: LF Andrew Benintendi (left knee sprain) was put on the 15-day disabled list. Farrell is hopeful the rookie will return before the season ends. Theres nothing I can do about it now, so Ill wait until the tests come back, Benintendi said. Im going to try to stay as positive as I can. . LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (left hamstring) felt fine after a bullpen session and will start Sunday against Kansas City. . RHP Clay Buchholz, who was moved out of the bullpen for three starts due to injuries, will return to a relief role.STRONG HITTINGRed Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia has a hit in 12 straight games against the Rays. He went 3 for 4 Thursday and had seven hits in 16 at-bats over the four-game series.UP NEXTRed Sox: Knuckleballer Steven Wright (13-5) will be reinstated from the 15-day disabled list after missing 2 1/2 weeks with a strained right shoulder and will start Friday night at home against Royals RHP Ian Kennedy (8-9). ' ' '


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