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Post by Corndog on Mar 24, 2016 14:48:20 GMT -5
Seems like the Cardinals have a chip on their shoulder. Definitely see this rivalry being very intense this season. But I think it's a bit of a low blow comparing the Cubs this year, to the Nationals last year, that clearly failed miserably. espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/springtraining_yearofthecubs/st-louis-cardinals-chime-being-year-chicago-cubsCarpenter seems to throw a little bit of a Jan Brady tantrum. "Last year, it was all about the Nationals," said the Cardinals' always-erudite third baseman, Matt Carpenter. "Nationals, Nationals, Nationals. They signed Max Scherzer. They were the team to beat. The projections were, the Nationals were going to win 100 games. And they didn't. So I don't buy into anything. It doesn't matter that it's the Cubs, or that they're in our division." |
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Post by Czarcastic on Mar 24, 2016 16:07:35 GMT -5
Sounds like they're a bit salty over the fact that someone else is getting attention. Yeah, the Cubs are hyped, but it isn't without reason...I mean...they did pound the Cards in the NLDS and make it all the way to the NLCS last year despite having a team full of inexperienced guys on the roster...
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Post by Corndog on Mar 24, 2016 16:20:12 GMT -5
Agree completely a lot of sour grapes there. It is true championships aren't won on paper and this won't be an easy task. But the offense on this team will be ridiculous, backed up by very solid pitching. Then there is the depth, this isn't like a lot of teams that have been hyped in the past where a major injury or two damages the team. It would take a major disaster to keep this team from contending. However on the other side of the coin, you can't count out the Cardinals.
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Post by 20kman on Mar 24, 2016 16:23:58 GMT -5
They just can't accept that the Cubs are going to dominate this division for years.
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Post by Czarcastic on Mar 24, 2016 16:28:32 GMT -5
The Cubs definitely SHOULD dominate for years.
I'm actually interested to see what they do with their surpluses this year at the deadline. If Schwarber is dominant, do they dangle Soler for Carrasco, Salazar, or even Strasburg?
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Post by 20kman on Mar 24, 2016 16:31:04 GMT -5
I think they will deal one of their outfielders, but maybe not at the deadline. I think they are all in on winning it this year and they would be more likely to deal prospects than MLB players at the deadline for pitching.
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Post by Corndog on Mar 24, 2016 16:34:12 GMT -5
I definitely see some sort of trade and more than likely for young pitching. Considering that he seems like he's on the outs, I could see it being Baez. But I am guessing his value has dropped. Soler could be another possibility.
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Post by pjh60067 on Mar 25, 2016 9:04:17 GMT -5
Seems like the Cardinals have a chip on their shoulder. Definitely see this rivalry being very intense this season. But I think it's a bit of a low blow comparing the Cubs this year, to the Nationals last year, that clearly failed miserably. espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/springtraining_yearofthecubs/st-louis-cardinals-chime-being-year-chicago-cubsCarpenter seems to throw a little bit of a Jan Brady tantrum. "Last year, it was all about the Nationals," said the Cardinals' always-erudite third baseman, Matt Carpenter. "Nationals, Nationals, Nationals. They signed Max Scherzer. They were the team to beat. The projections were, the Nationals were going to win 100 games. And they didn't. So I don't buy into anything. It doesn't matter that it's the Cubs, or that they're in our division." I have heard this same comparison a few different times. The Nationals were supposed to be a good team and they did run into a rash of injuries, but they did not have a good manager in place to stop the bleeding. The Cubs have the right people in place, so that a prolonged slump does not happen. I predict that the Cubs win 87-90 games this year, which should be good to either win the division or make the wildcard game. |
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Post by Czarcastic on Mar 25, 2016 10:00:27 GMT -5
I can't see them winning fewer games this year than last.
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Post by pjh60067 on Mar 25, 2016 10:14:56 GMT -5
I can't see them winning fewer games this year than last. Perhaps I am being pessimistic, but I think they played out of their minds last year. I do think that the NL central has regressed, which should make the road to the division crown a bit easier for the cubs and they might give more rest to players. |
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Post by breakingbaptist on Mar 25, 2016 10:22:27 GMT -5
I can't see them winning fewer games this year than last. Perhaps I am being pessimistic, but I think they played out of their minds last year. I do think that the NL central has regressed, which should make the road to the division crown a bit easier for the cubs and they might give more rest to players. I agree PJH but not the extent you do with your prediction. Despite the upgrades, I think the combination of having the target on their back and just the seemingly cyclical nature of injuries catching up with them leads to a few less wins. I've got them pegged at about 93/94, but think they still make the LCS. |
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Post by breakingbaptist on Mar 25, 2016 10:23:50 GMT -5
But I also believe the win totals of the other teams in the Central come back a bit too.
Cubs 94
Cards 90
Pirates 86
That being said, there are 6 clear cut teams that the rest of the NL should be fattening up on in a big way.
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Post by Czarcastic on Mar 25, 2016 10:24:37 GMT -5
See, and I'm not certain that they even played to their full potential last season. The young players should only get better and Lester, Hammell and Hendricks all have room to improve to their potential.
I'm calling 101 wins.
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Post by breakingbaptist on Mar 25, 2016 10:36:59 GMT -5
See, and I'm not certain that they even played to their full potential last season. The young players should only get better and Lester, Hammell and Hendricks all have room to improve to their potential. I'm calling 101 wins. 101 would be out of this world. It certainly can happen, but as you said, the three pitchers you cited would need to reach potential. I'm thinking a number 2 / number 3 starter is acquired in July along with a BP arm (maybe a hard throwing lefty) for Jeimer C. & prospects. If that happens my 94 is probably a tad low. |
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Post by bbuck22 on Mar 25, 2016 10:39:50 GMT -5
Sure The Cards are feeling a little heat.They can see the Cubs are going ot be in their way for years to come.
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Post by 20kman on Mar 26, 2016 11:32:47 GMT -5
Sure The Cards are feeling a little heat.They can see the Cubs are going ot be in their way for years to come. Yep, living in the St. Louis area, I can tell you that most cards fans are either scared to death of the new Cubs or they like this team. They know their team is getting old and the Cubs are a very good team on the brink of greatness. But they won't put it in those terms  |
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Post by hardslide on Mar 26, 2016 12:10:33 GMT -5
Seems like the Cardinals have a chip on their shoulder. Definitely see this rivalry being very intense this season. But I think it's a bit of a low blow comparing the Cubs this year, to the Nationals last year, that clearly failed miserably. espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/springtraining_yearofthecubs/st-louis-cardinals-chime-being-year-chicago-cubsCarpenter seems to throw a little bit of a Jan Brady tantrum. "Last year, it was all about the Nationals," said the Cardinals' always-erudite third baseman, Matt Carpenter. "Nationals, Nationals, Nationals. They signed Max Scherzer. They were the team to beat. The projections were, the Nationals were going to win 100 games. And they didn't. So I don't buy into anything. It doesn't matter that it's the Cubs, or that they're in our division." Look dog, Cubs still have the proverbial monkey on their back. They haven't won anything yet. Nationals and Detroit of several years ago were slam dunks to go far if not win it all, and failed to reach the post. Don't kid yourself. NL got a lot better and more competitive this year, and my beloved Cub will have their hands full to just make the post. Fingers crossed. Go Cubs !! |
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Post by Corndog on Mar 26, 2016 12:12:21 GMT -5
Seems like the Cardinals have a chip on their shoulder. Definitely see this rivalry being very intense this season. But I think it's a bit of a low blow comparing the Cubs this year, to the Nationals last year, that clearly failed miserably. espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/springtraining_yearofthecubs/st-louis-cardinals-chime-being-year-chicago-cubsCarpenter seems to throw a little bit of a Jan Brady tantrum. "Last year, it was all about the Nationals," said the Cardinals' always-erudite third baseman, Matt Carpenter. "Nationals, Nationals, Nationals. They signed Max Scherzer. They were the team to beat. The projections were, the Nationals were going to win 100 games. And they didn't. So I don't buy into anything. It doesn't matter that it's the Cubs, or that they're in our division." Look dog, Cubs still have the proverbial monkey on their back. They haven't won anything yet. Nationals and Detroit of several years ago were slam dunks to go far if not win it all, and failed to reach the post. Don't kid yourself. NL got a lot better and more competitive this year, and my beloved Cub will have their hands full to just make the post. Fingers crossed. Go Cubs !! Not disagreeing, championships aren't won on paper. But the Cubs did get the better of the Cards last season. We will just have to see how this one plays out. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 12:13:11 GMT -5
Seems like the Cardinals have a chip on their shoulder. Definitely see this rivalry being very intense this season. But I think it's a bit of a low blow comparing the Cubs this year, to the Nationals last year, that clearly failed miserably. espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/springtraining_yearofthecubs/st-louis-cardinals-chime-being-year-chicago-cubsCarpenter seems to throw a little bit of a Jan Brady tantrum. "Last year, it was all about the Nationals," said the Cardinals' always-erudite third baseman, Matt Carpenter. "Nationals, Nationals, Nationals. They signed Max Scherzer. They were the team to beat. The projections were, the Nationals were going to win 100 games. And they didn't. So I don't buy into anything. It doesn't matter that it's the Cubs, or that they're in our division." Yeah, the Cubs now have the cards' attention. Which they should. The Cubs are going to be difficult to beat for many years to come. The cards are aware of that and want to downplay it as much as possible. |
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Post by Czarcastic on Mar 26, 2016 12:21:12 GMT -5
The Cubs are set up to be competing for a World Series every year for the next decade, minimum. We don't realize it because we're in the eye of the storm right now.
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