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 pitching staff featured ace Matt Garza alongside young guns like Jeff Samardzija and Carlos Villanueva.
2012 Season Review: Historic Wins and Heartbreaking Losses
Team W L Pct GB St. Manager Dale Sveum inherited a club that looked capable of competing in a tough National League Central, a division featuring the eventual World Series champion Cardinals.
Starlin Castro continued his ascent as one of the game's premier young shortstops, showcasing elite defense and consistent hitting. The Mid-Season Collapse However, the high of that early surge proved to be fleeting.
2012 Cubs Historic Wins and Mid-Season Collapse
By the end of the season, the Cubs had fallen out of contention, transforming their narrative from championship hopefuls to another year of disappointment. A confluence of injuries to key players, inconsistent pitching, and defensive lapses led to a stunning collapse.
More About Chicago cubs 2012
Looking at Chicago cubs 2012 from another angle can help expand the discussion and give readers a second clear paragraph under the same section.
More perspective on Chicago cubs 2012 can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
