Predict number of Cubs W's

[trav768]

after tonight's game, I'll close the poll. so vote and guess if you haven't yet

[Returnofstevefitz]

Division:

Cubs 85
Cards 83
Reds 81
Brew 76
Bucs 71

[TheChico]

To me I think the 26 man roster is a 85 win team and it will be the prospects that are knocking on the door that takes it over 90.

The Cubs depth is the strongest by the mile in the NL Central and this is how they will win the division.

Strong depth wins over a 162 game season.

[Returnofstevefitz]

Just for fun:

NLC - Cubs
NLE - Braves
NLW - Dodgers
WC1 - Phillies
WC2 - DBacks
WC3 - Padres

ALC - Twins
ALE - Orioles
ALW - Astros
WC1 - Rangers
WC2 - Yankees
WC3 - Mariners

WS Matchup - Braves vs Orioles
WS Winner - Braves

NL MVP - Mookie Betts
AL MVP - Julio Rodriguez
NL CY - Justin Steele
AL CY - Corbin Burns (would have picked Gerrit Cole if not injured)

[batman66]

I'm staying with my 90+

They had 83 last season

made a manager upgrade

have a better opening day roster

have a healthy Seiya on opening day , who now looks like one of the better hitters in the game

should get a lot more contribution from the minors this season

the divisions best team the Brewers more than likely no longer are

[bryzzobrist]

Fangraphs opening day rankings put Cubbies at 15th, finishing 81-81, behind the Cardinals

[lu13cubbie]

87 wins in a very competitive National League Central.

[threeandone]

Too hard with this roster to predict a total. However, I do believe that Counsell alone will account for a minimum 5 more wins than we would have gotten with Ross,
mostly with his knowledge of his pen arms and his usage of them. This guy is one of the best managers in the game.

[kfidd]

I’ve shared this before and I’ll do it again. I’m excited that the Cubs went with a more proven manager in Counsel and had the stones to send off Rossy the way they did. That was no doubt a difficult decision to make yet it was absolutely the right thing to do for a club looking to turn the corner out of their rebuild. Heck, seeing Happ at leadoff tonight is all the reinforcement I need.

But I have wondered just how much credit he should get for the nomination as the bullpen management master as he gets. Why? Before Hader arrived on scene, Milwaukee finished with subsequent records of 61-76 and 73-89 under Counsel’s helm. Hader then debuted in 2017 and anchored their bullpen through the halfway mark of ‘22 only to be superseded by the just ans dominant (if not more so) Devin Williams. How much credit does he deserve for helping develop and manage those guys? Maybe all of it for all I know. But at least stepping into Chicago he doesn’t have that type of lock down closer and having such a weapon makes the middle and transitional innings all the more easy.

I think there has to be something said for the very strong rotations and very meager offenses he led as well. Again, how much credit does he deserve in either direction? Beats me. But my point is not that I am doubting the impact Counsel can have in Chicago, especially as an upgrade from Ross, but my expectations of that impact are more mild than many. He has a lot to prove still in several areas, most critically from me is developing offensive weapons and taking the next step in the playoffs (7-12 career postseason record).

So just like the roster itself, the coaching staff has a lot to prove yet as far as I’m concerned. I’ll stick with my original 84-78 prediction.

[batman66]

Mar 28, 2024 18:49:31 GMT -5 kfidd said:

I’ve shared this before and I’ll do it again. I’m excited that the Cubs went with a more proven manager in Counsel and had the stones to send off Rossy the way they did. That was no doubt a difficult decision to make yet it was absolutely the right thing to do for a club looking to turn the corner out of their rebuild. Heck, seeing Happ at leadoff tonight is all the reinforcement I need.

But I have wondered just how much credit he should get for the nomination as the bullpen management master as he gets. Why? Before Hader arrived on scene, Milwaukee finished with subsequent records of 61-76 and 73-89 under Counsel’s helm. Hader then debuted in 2017 and anchored their bullpen through the halfway mark of ‘22 only to be superseded by the just ans dominant (if not more so) Devin Williams. How much credit does he deserve for helping develop and manage those guys? Maybe all of it for all I know. But at least stepping into Chicago he doesn’t have that type of lock down closer and having such a weapon makes the middle and transitional innings all the more easy.

I think there has to be something said for the very strong rotations and very meager offenses he led as well. Again, how much credit does he deserve in either direction? Beats me. But my point is not that I am doubting the impact Counsel can have in Chicago, especially as an upgrade from Ross, but my expectations of that impact are more mild than many. He has a lot to prove still in several areas, most critically from me is developing offensive weapons and taking the next step in the playoffs (7-12 career postseason record).

So just like the roster itself, the coaching staff has a lot to prove yet as far as I’m concerned. I’ll stick with my original 84-78 prediction.

The bullpen thing, Counsel even said it himself when told he's a master at managing bullpens , he said I don't know about that , I  only had to manage 8 inning games. 

All I know is I hated the guy when he was managing the Brewers , he always seemed to make the right moves in games and you don't often notice that about a manager to the point he'd annoy me.

[kfidd]

Yeah, I’m confident he’s a good manager. He did great things overall with the Brewers for several years running. Just I never quite understood where the “praise the Jesus” vibes that so many gave him came from.

I’m very excited he’s a Cub.

[bryzzobrist]

On pace for...
*drum roll*
104 wins

[jrj0381]

I didn't vote, didn't see this in time, but I would have gone 90 plus. Good stuff so far. They are resilient bunch. Sometimes get in their own way, but then they bounce back beautifully.

[2mileshighillini]

Apr 25, 2024 17:16:27 GMT -5 jrj0381 said:

I didn't vote, didn't see this in time, but I would have gone 90 plus. Good stuff so far. They are resilient bunch. Sometimes get in their own way, but then they bounce back beautifully.

In the first 2 days of the poll - 4 people voted (90+)
In chronological order:
chubbycub
batman66
Me
20kman

On the 3rd day, after seeing low total prediction after low total prediction, bryzzobrist went 100+
After which, TheChico crashed in with 92

Those are the only people who went (90+)
74% of the votes were for totals less than that.
It was the prevailing opinion.

Don't take this wrong, but I don't see you going (90+) in February

[lajoiesghost]

I picked 89-73 because they would have an improved pen. I was so hopeful about the pen.

[batman66]

Apr 26, 2024 12:33:59 GMT -5 lajoiesghost said:

I picked 89-73 because they would have an improved pen. I was so hopeful about the pen.

well there is still hope , it's got to get better.........right?

[thisbuds4u]

Mar 29, 2024 7:38:17 GMT -5 batman66 said:

Mar 28, 2024 18:49:31 GMT -5 kfidd said:

I’ve shared this before and I’ll do it again. I’m excited that the Cubs went with a more proven manager in Counsel and had the stones to send off Rossy the way they did. That was no doubt a difficult decision to make yet it was absolutely the right thing to do for a club looking to turn the corner out of their rebuild. Heck, seeing Happ at leadoff tonight is all the reinforcement I need.

But I have wondered just how much credit he should get for the nomination as the bullpen management master as he gets. Why? Before Hader arrived on scene, Milwaukee finished with subsequent records of 61-76 and 73-89 under Counsel’s helm. Hader then debuted in 2017 and anchored their bullpen through the halfway mark of ‘22 only to be superseded by the just ans dominant (if not more so) Devin Williams. How much credit does he deserve for helping develop and manage those guys? Maybe all of it for all I know. But at least stepping into Chicago he doesn’t have that type of lock down closer and having such a weapon makes the middle and transitional innings all the more easy.

I think there has to be something said for the very strong rotations and very meager offenses he led as well. Again, how much credit does he deserve in either direction? Beats me. But my point is not that I am doubting the impact Counsel can have in Chicago, especially as an upgrade from Ross, but my expectations of that impact are more mild than many. He has a lot to prove still in several areas, most critically from me is developing offensive weapons and taking the next step in the playoffs (7-12 career postseason record).

So just like the roster itself, the coaching staff has a lot to prove yet as far as I’m concerned. I’ll stick with my original 84-78 prediction.

The bullpen thing, Counsel even said it himself when told he's a master at managing bullpens , he said I don't know about that , I  only had to manage 8 inning games. 

All I know is I hated the guy when he was managing the Brewers , he always seemed to make the right moves in games and you don't often notice that about a manager to the point he'd annoy me.

The one thing I have noticed is Counsell seems to make a lot of pitching changes when there are 2 outs in an inning. It might be his subtle way of avoiding the 3 batter rule and keeping the bullpen fresh. 

[bryzzobrist]

I'll stick with my 100+ vote

[Returnofstevefitz]

I'm still sticking with 85. There's going to be a losing phase at some point. Happens to almost every team.