They want lots of base hits and walks to be driven in by homeruns. This does not preclude being aggressive on the basepaths. One of the best parts of Kris Bryant's game is his ability to get from first to third, and to win the race to home plate if he has to do it. This team scores lots of runs.
They just hit lots of homers because they look for guys that hit lots of homers. This is quite a bunch of talented young ballplayers they've rounded up. Soler is just starting to figure it out. Bar injury, this development will be something to watch. Mind you, I remember that I felt the same way when Kerry Wood and Mark Prior were mowing them down in 2003 before their arms fell off, but we never had young position players like this in depth here.
Not ever, in my memory. It was always a mix, and there was never depth. Coughlin, LaStella, Denorfia - these are bench guys that would have started on most, heck, all of the Cubs teams I remember - bringing them in off the bench is pure luxury in Cubbiedom.
And then, there's Schwarber. He's just exceeded any expectation anyone had of him at this point in his career.
Here's why it will be different this year, win or lose. This is not seen as a fluke - in fact it showed up early. My read is that the level of neurotic Cubs fan neediness may be turned down a notch, due to less "now or never" mentality. There's a lot less curse talk, I'll tell you that.
