Season Statistics and Standings The final numbers told the story of a team that fell just short of its goals. The team’s swagger was evident, and the narrative shifted from rebuilding to competing.
Chicago Cubs 2012 Defensive Lapses Impact on Season Performance
Jeff Samardzija, in his first full year as a starter, provided flashes of the ace potential that led to his later trade. Fans filled Wrigley Field, dreaming of a October run and the possibility of a long playoff drought being broken.
The season was also defined by crucial, heartbreaking losses that seemed to symbolize the team's broader inability to close out games, a recurring theme that would define the years to come. The Cubs jumped out to a surprisingly strong start, sitting atop the National League Central standings in late April.
How Defensive Lapses Undermined the 2012 Cubs' Promising Season
The team that had once led its division found itself slipping back, unable to maintain the momentum of its April and May. Up the middle, the cornerstones of a potential dynasty seemed solid, with Starlin Castro anchoring shortstop and Anthony Rizzo providing power at first base.
More About Chicago cubs 2012
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