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Post by batman66 on Sept 29, 2023 13:05:08 GMT -5
I agree. Exciting times for next year. But, I think I'd just prefer they go ahead and fold for this season rather than watch the heartache of trying to get into the playoffs in these last 3 games.
Doesn't take away anything going into next season. It's not a failure if they don't make the playoffs this year. But it proves how important it is to win games in April and May.
I also hope in a sense that they don't make it. Normally I am one who believes if you get in, anything can happen. But after watching this team the last couple of weeks and how they just can't hold a lead, I just see more heartache in getting in. And I do want to be hopeful for next season, but their weakest aspect is the most hit and miss to fill. Even though it's a gamble getting any player, it's easier getting another good bat in the line-up or a TOR pitcher, but building a solid BP is so much harder. As others have said, good relievers can be so different from year to year, how do you build a good BP, reliably? Other than just hoping that those pitchers will do well this year? I feel the same way , it would be GREAT to make the playoffs, but with the pen they currently have they stand no chance and it would just be like you said , more heartache. |
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Post by bryzzobrist on Sept 29, 2023 14:00:09 GMT -5
I also hope in a sense that they don't make it. Normally I am one who believes if you get in, anything can happen. But after watching this team the last couple of weeks and how they just can't hold a lead, I just see more heartache in getting in. And I do want to be hopeful for next season, but their weakest aspect is the most hit and miss to fill. Even though it's a gamble getting any player, it's easier getting another good bat in the line-up or a TOR pitcher, but building a solid BP is so much harder. As others have said, good relievers can be so different from year to year, how do you build a good BP, reliably? Other than just hoping that those pitchers will do well this year? I feel the same way , it would be GREAT to make the playoffs, but with the pen they currently have they stand no chance and it would just be like you said , more heartache. Alzolay nearing return A couple guys aren't so bad - Leiter, Merryweather Stroman
Not a great pen, but also one that isn't just guaranteed to lose the first series. Ya gotta believe, Batman.
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Post by kfidd on Sept 29, 2023 14:13:14 GMT -5
I feel the same way , it would be GREAT to make the playoffs, but with the pen they currently have they stand no chance and it would just be like you said , more heartache. Alzolay nearing return A couple guys aren't so bad - Leiter, Merryweather Stroman
Not a great pen, but also one that isn't just guaranteed to lose the first series. Ya gotta believe, Batman.
EXCELLENT usage of Mr. Lasso! Damn right y’all. We literally say this every year, and there are always surprise teams who support this sentiment. All it takes is to get in and anything can happen. That doesn’t mean I’m about to go put my entire savings down on a Cubs WS championship if they make it in, but damn there is no way I’d rather them not make the playoffs just so I can avoid any potential heartbreak. F that, just get in. BELIEVE |
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Post by batman66 on Sept 29, 2023 14:23:38 GMT -5
I feel the same way , it would be GREAT to make the playoffs, but with the pen they currently have they stand no chance and it would just be like you said , more heartache. Alzolay nearing return A couple guys aren't so bad - Leiter, Merryweather Stroman
Not a great pen, but also one that isn't just guaranteed to lose the first series. Ya gotta believe, Batman.
Leiter last 2 outings 4 runs in an inning and a third and he's given up runs in 4 of his last 8 games, Merryweather last 4 outings 4 runs in three and a third innings with 6 walks ............and these were the two most dependable pen arms not on the IL Both have pitched in 68 games and have been used in 9-10 games already this month. |
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Post by thisbuds4u on Sept 29, 2023 15:14:05 GMT -5
So we are using "choke job " to fit the narrative of blowing leads late in games , and not being in a great position to make the playoffs and then missing them ? Ok, then I see the point , that's way different than a team blowing like a 6 game lead with a week to go which is usually the kind of scenario the term is used for. call it what you want, choke, not a choke, mild throat irritation, went down the wrong pipe, etc..facts are facts, it's historically bad, all time bad, record setting bad, a bad none of us will prob ever see again in our lifetimes. However people want to use fake positivity as a coping mechanism is between them and their therapist. I would have to agree with you, it ranks right up there for a number of reasons. Unlike 1969, the Cubs have 4 ways to make the playoffs, a Division title and 3 WC spots. Secondly, the teams the Cubs are competing with teams that don't have the financial resources as compared to the Cubs and, so-called, veteran leadership that the Cubs have. When a team keeps doing things to beat themselves, that's choking. There may have a touch of cockiness that factored into this slump. Under-estimating teams and a lack of fundamentals cost them games. Hoyer, Ross and the players have all played a part in this. |
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Post by batman66 on Sept 29, 2023 16:35:23 GMT -5
call it what you want, choke, not a choke, mild throat irritation, went down the wrong pipe, etc..facts are facts, it's historically bad, all time bad, record setting bad, a bad none of us will prob ever see again in our lifetimes. However people want to use fake positivity as a coping mechanism is between them and their therapist. I would have to agree with you, it ranks right up there for a number of reasons. Unlike 1969, the Cubs have 4 ways to make the playoffs, a Division title and 3 WC spots. Secondly, the teams the Cubs are competing with teams that don't have the financial resources as compared to the Cubs and, so-called, veteran leadership that the Cubs have. When a team keeps doing things to beat themselves, that's choking. There may have a touch of cockiness that factored into this slump. Under-estimating teams and a lack of fundamentals cost them games. Hoyer, Ross and the players have all played a part in this. When a team controls their own destiny like they were in position to about a week ago and they don't come through , sure it can easily be looked at as a choke job. But when people say it's an epic one , historic, record setting , once in a lifetime won't see one like it again , come on this is NOTHING compared to what how a handful of teams seasons usually end each year. They never had more than a 3 game lead on the 3rd place wild card spot so it's not really like they lost a shit ton of ground to even really call it a choke job. What is epic, historic though is how bad the pen has been on the road this last few weeks , they've lost a record setting amount of leads in the 8th inning or later in games the last month of a season but that is not a total shocker when you lose your closer and another key late inning guy. |
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Post by 20kman on Sept 29, 2023 17:32:35 GMT -5
I feel the same way , it would be GREAT to make the playoffs, but with the pen they currently have they stand no chance and it would just be like you said , more heartache. Alzolay nearing return A couple guys aren't so bad - Leiter, Merryweather Stroman
Not a great pen, but also one that isn't just guaranteed to lose the first series. Ya gotta believe, Batman.
Leiter is literally sweating bullets every time he gets brought into a close game. He looks terrified. Maybe playing a series with the more familiar Brewers and their more easily navigable lineup will help. |
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Post by thisbuds4u on Sept 29, 2023 17:45:23 GMT -5
I would have to agree with you, it ranks right up there for a number of reasons. Unlike 1969, the Cubs have 4 ways to make the playoffs, a Division title and 3 WC spots. Secondly, the teams the Cubs are competing with teams that don't have the financial resources as compared to the Cubs and, so-called, veteran leadership that the Cubs have. When a team keeps doing things to beat themselves, that's choking. There may have a touch of cockiness that factored into this slump. Under-estimating teams and a lack of fundamentals cost them games. Hoyer, Ross and the players have all played a part in this. When a team controls their own destiny like they were in position to about a week ago and they don't come through , sure it can easily be looked at as a choke job. But when people say it's an epic one , historic, record setting , once in a lifetime won't see one like it again , come on this is NOTHING compared to what how a handful of teams seasons usually end each year. They never had more than a 3 game lead on the 3rd place wild card spot so it's not really like they lost a shit ton of ground to even really call it a choke job. What is epic, historic though is how bad the pen has been on the road this last few weeks , they've lost a record setting amount of leads in the 8th inning or later in games the last month of a season but that is not a total shocker when you lose your closer and another key late inning guy. The reason the Cubs never had more than a 3 game lead was there own doing. None of the teams the Cubs were competing with went on some big winning streak to pass them up. On September 6th, the Cubs were 12 games over .500 and 2 games behind the Brewers and Phillies when the wheels fell off. While the bullpen has been the most glaring weakness, the defense, starting pitching and offense have all played a role in this slide. Since that date, the Cubs are 6-13 yet are only a 1/2 game out of a WC spot. All the Cubs had to do was play .500 ball the rest of the way to get in. Hell, if they would have went 9-10 over that stretch they would be sitting in the 2nd WC spot. Aside from the Braves, the Cubs did not face dominant teams and still under-achieved. |
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Post by batman66 on Sept 29, 2023 18:31:13 GMT -5
When a team controls their own destiny like they were in position to about a week ago and they don't come through , sure it can easily be looked at as a choke job. But when people say it's an epic one , historic, record setting , once in a lifetime won't see one like it again , come on this is NOTHING compared to what how a handful of teams seasons usually end each year. They never had more than a 3 game lead on the 3rd place wild card spot so it's not really like they lost a shit ton of ground to even really call it a choke job. What is epic, historic though is how bad the pen has been on the road this last few weeks , they've lost a record setting amount of leads in the 8th inning or later in games the last month of a season but that is not a total shocker when you lose your closer and another key late inning guy. The reason the Cubs never had more than a 3 game lead was there own doing. None of the teams the Cubs were competing with went on some big winning streak to pass them up. On September 6th, the Cubs were 12 games over .500 and 2 games behind the Brewers and Phillies when the wheels fell off. While the bullpen has been the most glaring weakness, the defense, starting pitching and offense have all played a role in this slide. Since that date, the Cubs are 6-13 yet are only a 1/2 game out of a WC spot. All the Cubs had to do was play .500 ball the rest of the way to get in. Hell, if they would have went 9-10 over that stretch they would be sitting in the 2nd WC spot. Aside from the Braves, the Cubs did not face dominant teams and still under-achieved. Of course it's their own doing , can't argue that , I'm just not classifying it as a choke job because they were never really in a great position at any point to make the playoffs . Although things were looking good they've been on the verge of not being a playoff team just as much as being one when you consider other teams like you mention haven't exactly been lighting the world on fire either. The Padres have been the only team thats turned it on, but there wasn't enough season for them left to make it matter. |
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Post by bryzzobrist on Sept 29, 2023 23:30:32 GMT -5
Alzolay nearing return A couple guys aren't so bad - Leiter, Merryweather Stroman
Not a great pen, but also one that isn't just guaranteed to lose the first series. Ya gotta believe, Batman.
Leiter is literally sweating bullets every time he gets brought into a close game. He looks terrified. Maybe playing a series with the more familiar Brewers and their more easily navigable lineup will help. Some folks just sweat easy lol 😆 I havent noticed that demeaner from him yet. I say yet like theres more than 2 games left. 🤞 We know we're a good team but one with several holes. I know I'd rather watch us not make it than brave the upcoming offseason. Baseball 365 baby! |
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