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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Sept 3, 2024 10:57:11 GMT -5
My take on the Cubs late season push, yes I want them to make the postseason, is that they're beating up on teams out of the postseason, teams that are rostering call ups and young players, and that's ok. Beat the teams you should beat. But they also have to beat teams who are fighting for a spot too and unfortunately they're struggling vs those teams going 6-11 in the 2nd half vs current postseason teams. Yankees and Dodgers back to back starting Friday will be a true test. Go 6-6 in some capacity vs those teams and I think it's a "win". Focus on the Pirates and win the next 2 games (gonna be tough vs Skenes tonight). What is truly bizarre is that comparing the Cubs record against playoff teams up to the All Star break they were 27-29 & that was when we were really stinking it up.. The sweeps of Baltimore and Houston help, but the division record is where it's lost. Playing the same teams consistently, the Cubs are 20-27 within the division. They are losing the season series vs the Brewers (5-8), Cards (6-7) and Reds (3-7) as of today and are 1 game up on the Pirates (6-5). The big win for the Cubs in 2024.... they are 25-15 in interleague play. To be fair, I think I'm being complimentary and critical at the same time. My concern, my biggest concern, is that 2 months ago everyone wanted this team blown up (almost everyone). Now, these wins vs teams with ZERO postseason aspirations, playing call ups and young players, are changing people's minds in to thinking this team will keep in rolling, and is good enough to win in 2025. Honestly I don't want this team back in 2025 only to see it go through the same early season struggles and "fight for a wild card spot". I want the Cubs to use its resources to dominate the NLC. |
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Post by fine09 on Sept 3, 2024 12:15:14 GMT -5
What is truly bizarre is that comparing the Cubs record against playoff teams up to the All Star break they were 27-29 & that was when we were really stinking it up.. The sweeps of Baltimore and Houston help, but the division record is where it's lost. Playing the same teams consistently, the Cubs are 20-27 within the division. They are losing the season series vs the Brewers (5-8), Cards (6-7) and Reds (3-7) as of today and are 1 game up on the Pirates (6-5). The big win for the Cubs in 2024.... they are 25-15 in interleague play. To be fair, I think I'm being complimentary and critical at the same time. My concern, my biggest concern, is that 2 months ago everyone wanted this team blown up (almost everyone). Now, these wins vs teams with ZERO postseason aspirations, playing call ups and young players, are changing people's minds in to thinking this team will keep in rolling, and is good enough to win in 2025. Honestly I don't want this team back in 2025 only to see it go through the same early season struggles and "fight for a wild card spot". I want the Cubs to use its resources to dominate the NLC. I understand what you are saying & yes within the division we have done very poorly especially with the Brewers, but if you just take this team & plug in better relievers & replace Neris with a half-way decent closer I believe we are easily 5 to 8 games better than we are today & that is WITH the mass of injuries to our 9 starters every week. So I see the Cubs right now as a fringe playoff team (which simply is not good enough), so with some key additions for next year I believe they should contend for the division and easily make the playoffs. We will have PCA for a full year, Amaya starting fresh with his revamped approach, Hendricks gone, Neris gone along with 5 or 6 really bad pen arms & hopefully healthy group of starting pitchers. Add to that Soto & I think you have a team worthy of consideration as a World Series contender. Without Soto they will really have to get some slugging from somewhere else & I don't know where that comes from unless it is someone existing getting really hot. |
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Post by okeecub on Sept 3, 2024 12:23:25 GMT -5
What is truly bizarre is that comparing the Cubs record against playoff teams up to the All Star break they were 27-29 & that was when we were really stinking it up.. The sweeps of Baltimore and Houston help, but the division record is where it's lost. Playing the same teams consistently, the Cubs are 20-27 within the division. They are losing the season series vs the Brewers (5-8), Cards (6-7) and Reds (3-7) as of today and are 1 game up on the Pirates (6-5). The big win for the Cubs in 2024.... they are 25-15 in interleague play. To be fair, I think I'm being complimentary and critical at the same time. My concern, my biggest concern, is that 2 months ago everyone wanted this team blown up (almost everyone). Now, these wins vs teams with ZERO postseason aspirations, playing call ups and young players, are changing people's minds in to thinking this team will keep in rolling, and is good enough to win in 2025. Honestly I don't want this team back in 2025 only to see it go through the same early season struggles and "fight for a wild card spot". I want the Cubs to use its resources to dominate the NLC. there really doesn’t seem to be a lot of room for major changes with so many positions set for a couple more years anyway with several no trade contracts at numerous positions. PCA and Busch seem solid right now too, & if Bellinger opts in there just ain’t many openings for young talent to step up or even if used for trades where do we put anyone we trade for, maybe catcher but thats been looking pretty good lately too. Shore up the pen but that’s been pretty good lately too, except for last night with some young arms and additions |
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Post by foolforthecity on Sept 3, 2024 12:30:39 GMT -5
They wil need someone that is a 35-40 HR and 100+ RBI guy, but it won’t be Soto. I truly believe he will be a Yankee for life.
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Post by thisbuds4u on Sept 3, 2024 12:44:05 GMT -5
The sweeps of Baltimore and Houston help, but the division record is where it's lost. Playing the same teams consistently, the Cubs are 20-27 within the division. They are losing the season series vs the Brewers (5-8), Cards (6-7) and Reds (3-7) as of today and are 1 game up on the Pirates (6-5). The big win for the Cubs in 2024.... they are 25-15 in interleague play. To be fair, I think I'm being complimentary and critical at the same time. My concern, my biggest concern, is that 2 months ago everyone wanted this team blown up (almost everyone). Now, these wins vs teams with ZERO postseason aspirations, playing call ups and young players, are changing people's minds in to thinking this team will keep in rolling, and is good enough to win in 2025. Honestly I don't want this team back in 2025 only to see it go through the same early season struggles and "fight for a wild card spot". I want the Cubs to use its resources to dominate the NLC. there really doesn’t seem to be a lot of room for major changes with so many positions set for a couple more years anyway with several no trade contracts at numerous positions. PCA and Busch seem solid right now too, & if Bellinger opts in there just ain’t many openings for young talent to step up or even if used for trades where do we put anyone we trade for, maybe catcher but thats been looking pretty good lately too. Shore up the pen but that’s been pretty good lately too, except for last night with some young arms and additions I'm not sure the bullpen has been that good of late. The fact that the Cubs offense has been scoring in bunches deflects the problem. |
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Post by 2mileshighillini on Sept 3, 2024 13:17:09 GMT -5
6-11 (.352) vs current postseason teams 2nd half. Not to look ahead, but the Yankees and Dodgers back to back could end their season. Or... It could define their Season. You scared? I don't know about you... But I am not afraid of the Yankees. I'm more afraid of Paul Skenes. BTW: The Cubs are actually 6-9 (not 6-11) vs current postseason teams - 2nd half.LossesDBacks (2-5) (0-3) Brewers (0-1) (2-3) Royals (0-6) -- Won Series Twins (0-3) -- Won Series Guardians (8-9) (1-2) (1-6) If you go back 6 lousy days before the All-Star Break... The Cubs are 9-9 in their last 18 vs current postseason teams. Go back 10 days before the Break... (Beginning July 4 - Which is what this streak is all about) The Cubs are 10-9 in their last 19 vs current postseason teams. 17-13 vs (.500+) Teams (.567)15-6 (.714) vs the rest Which is to say. Since the dramatic turn-a-round, the Cubs are (+.500) vs the best teams in Baseball. With an overall record of... 32-19 (.627) 51 Games -- The 3rd best record in Baseball. ↑↑↑ Better than the Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, Astros, Mets & Braves. |
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Sept 3, 2024 13:22:37 GMT -5
The sweeps of Baltimore and Houston help, but the division record is where it's lost. Playing the same teams consistently, the Cubs are 20-27 within the division. They are losing the season series vs the Brewers (5-8), Cards (6-7) and Reds (3-7) as of today and are 1 game up on the Pirates (6-5). The big win for the Cubs in 2024.... they are 25-15 in interleague play. To be fair, I think I'm being complimentary and critical at the same time. My concern, my biggest concern, is that 2 months ago everyone wanted this team blown up (almost everyone). Now, these wins vs teams with ZERO postseason aspirations, playing call ups and young players, are changing people's minds in to thinking this team will keep in rolling, and is good enough to win in 2025. Honestly I don't want this team back in 2025 only to see it go through the same early season struggles and "fight for a wild card spot". I want the Cubs to use its resources to dominate the NLC. I understand what you are saying & yes within the division we have done very poorly especially with the Brewers, but if you just take this team & plug in better relievers & replace Neris with a half-way decent closer I believe we are easily 5 to 8 games better than we are today & that is WITH the mass of injuries to our 9 starters every week. So I see the Cubs right now as a fringe playoff team (which simply is not good enough), so with some key additions for next year I believe they should contend for the division and easily make the playoffs. We will have PCA for a full year, Amaya starting fresh with his revamped approach, Hendricks gone, Neris gone along with 5 or 6 really bad pen arms & hopefully healthy group of starting pitchers. Add to that Soto & I think you have a team worthy of consideration as a World Series contender. Without Soto they will really have to get some slugging from somewhere else & I don't know where that comes from unless it is someone existing getting really hot. I don't disagree with you, but you can't just take losses and make them wins. Because then you have to take some wins and make them losses. In the end it evens out. This is what worries me, the team has convinced fans that this may just be ok in 2025. This has been the way the Chicago Bulls have been operating for 10 years. I hope PCA does better in 2025 and keeps ascending. I won't knock him, but a sophomore slump is not out of the question either, look at Corbin Carroll. This isn't a knock on PCA either, this team still needs a bonified stud whether it's Soto or some surprise trade. Either way, I'm not advocating dumping everyone, but this teams still needs a different "look", if that makes sense. Lets also hope Justin Steele is ok... losing him to TJ would be brutal. |
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Sept 3, 2024 13:26:26 GMT -5
6-11 (.352) vs current postseason teams 2nd half. Not to look ahead, but the Yankees and Dodgers back to back could end their season. Or... It could define their Season. You scared? I don't know about you... But I am not afraid of the Yankees. I'm more afraid of Paul Skenes. BTW: The Cubs are actually 6-9 (not 6-11) vs current postseason teams - 2nd half.LossesDBacks (2-5) (0-3) Brewers (0-1) (2-3) Royals (0-6) -- Won Series Twins (0-3) -- Won Series Guardians (8-9) (1-2) (1-6) If you go back 6 lousy days before the All-Star Break... The Cubs are 9-9 in their last 18 vs current postseason teams. Go back 10 days before the Break... (Beginning July 4 - Which is what this streak is all about) The Cubs are 10-9 in their last 19 vs current postseason teams. Which is to say. Since the dramatic turn-a-round, the Cubs are (+.500) vs the best teams in Baseball. With an overall record of... 32-19 (.627) 51 Games ↑↑↑ 2nd half vs current postseason teams AZ 1-2 Mil 1-2 KC 2-1 Min 2-1 Cle 0-3 Record 6-9 - you're right I was wrong, I thought they were 4 game sets vs AZ and Mil If we go back the whole season they're 25-27 vs postseason teams, a under .500 team. Not sure what we're going back and forth with here. |
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Post by fine09 on Sept 3, 2024 13:40:44 GMT -5
I understand what you are saying & yes within the division we have done very poorly especially with the Brewers, but if you just take this team & plug in better relievers & replace Neris with a half-way decent closer I believe we are easily 5 to 8 games better than we are today & that is WITH the mass of injuries to our 9 starters every week. So I see the Cubs right now as a fringe playoff team (which simply is not good enough), so with some key additions for next year I believe they should contend for the division and easily make the playoffs. We will have PCA for a full year, Amaya starting fresh with his revamped approach, Hendricks gone, Neris gone along with 5 or 6 really bad pen arms & hopefully healthy group of starting pitchers. Add to that Soto & I think you have a team worthy of consideration as a World Series contender. Without Soto they will really have to get some slugging from somewhere else & I don't know where that comes from unless it is someone existing getting really hot. I don't disagree with you, but you can't just take losses and make them wins. Because then you have to take some wins and make them losses. In the end it evens out. This is what worries me, the team has convinced fans that this may just be ok in 2025. This has been the way the Chicago Bulls have been operating for 10 years. I hope PCA does better in 2025 and keeps ascending. I won't knock him, but a sophomore slump is not out of the question either, look at Corbin Carroll. This isn't a knock on PCA either, this team still needs a bonified stud whether it's Soto or some surprise trade. Either way, I'm not advocating dumping everyone, but this teams still needs a different "look", if that makes sense. Lets also hope Justin Steele is ok... losing him to TJ would be brutal. I completely disagree that you can't take away losses (5 to 8 in my estimation) without adding losses when Cubs pitchers had SEVENTEEN BLOWN SAVES on July 1st. of this year. 17 is a huge number and that was 9 weeks ago so I might even be low on my 5 to 8 games because we blew some games where you almost have to try to lose we were so far ahead. It was mind boggling at the time. |
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Sept 3, 2024 13:47:59 GMT -5
I don't disagree with you, but you can't just take losses and make them wins. Because then you have to take some wins and make them losses. In the end it evens out. This is what worries me, the team has convinced fans that this may just be ok in 2025. This has been the way the Chicago Bulls have been operating for 10 years. I hope PCA does better in 2025 and keeps ascending. I won't knock him, but a sophomore slump is not out of the question either, look at Corbin Carroll. This isn't a knock on PCA either, this team still needs a bonified stud whether it's Soto or some surprise trade. Either way, I'm not advocating dumping everyone, but this teams still needs a different "look", if that makes sense. Lets also hope Justin Steele is ok... losing him to TJ would be brutal. I completely disagree that you can't take away losses (5 to 8 in my estimation) without adding losses when Cubs pitchers had SEVENTEEN BLOWN SAVES on July 1st. of this year. 17 is a huge number and that was 9 weeks ago so I might even be low on my 5 to 8 games because we blew some games where you almost have to try to lose we were so far ahead. It was mind boggling at the time. What I'm saying is, then a game like that for other teams you have to take away some the Cubs wins. Like vs the Pirate game scoring 6 in the 9th. It has to go both ways, not just in the Cubs favor. |
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Post by fine09 on Sept 3, 2024 14:08:44 GMT -5
They wil need someone that is a 35-40 HR and 100+ RBI guy, but it won’t be Soto. I truly believe he will be a Yankee for life. Santander is the only other free agent with that kind of potential that would fit with the 2025 Cubs other than Soto that has the 35/40 HR 100 RBI likelihood and after this year he'll be looking in the neighborhood of a 7 year 175 mil deal with him being the 2nd best power hitter in FA. For the money I think I'd go with Soto at 10/500 & hope for the best but it's not my money. You might be correct on Soto but if he stays a Yankee they will have to outbid every other team in free agency to get him & I really don't know if they will go 10 years & 500 million minimum after Judge's contract last year but they might. |
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Post by fine09 on Sept 3, 2024 14:14:11 GMT -5
I completely disagree that you can't take away losses (5 to 8 in my estimation) without adding losses when Cubs pitchers had SEVENTEEN BLOWN SAVES on July 1st. of this year. 17 is a huge number and that was 9 weeks ago so I might even be low on my 5 to 8 games because we blew some games where you almost have to try to lose we were so far ahead. It was mind boggling at the time. What I'm saying is, then a game like that for other teams you have to take away some the Cubs wins. Like vs the Pirate game scoring 6 in the 9th. It has to go both ways, not just in the Cubs favor. I agree 100% but even if we take away that Pirate game + 3 other close ones, as long as we take away 50% of the games where our BP or Closer walked 3 or 4 guys before giving up numerous hits or HR's it still works out very much in our favor of a bunch of extra wins. This concept would be like someone saying the White Sox would have 10 more wins if they had 2 better position players, 3 better starting pitchers & 3 better BP guys then adding 10 wins doesn't seem like a stretch at all. |
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Post by okeecub on Sept 3, 2024 14:20:11 GMT -5
there really doesn’t seem to be a lot of room for major changes with so many positions set for a couple more years anyway with several no trade contracts at numerous positions. PCA and Busch seem solid right now too, & if Bellinger opts in there just ain’t many openings for young talent to step up or even if used for trades where do we put anyone we trade for, maybe catcher but thats been looking pretty good lately too. Shore up the pen but that’s been pretty good lately too, except for last night with some young arms and additions I'm not sure the bullpen has been that good of late. The fact that the Cubs offense has been scoring in bunches deflects the problem. collectively they have been better than the first couple months to be sure. I’m not saying we couldn’t stand some improvement but a couple additions plus some young arms, Hodge in particular and what I would consider an addition by subtraction in Neris I believe they have been better overall. We could still certainly use the lights out closer in the ninth and some help from the left side . |
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Post by 2mileshighillini on Sept 3, 2024 14:26:20 GMT -5
I completely disagree that you can't take away losses (5 to 8 in my estimation) without adding losses when Cubs pitchers had SEVENTEEN BLOWN SAVES on July 1st. of this year. 17 is a huge number and that was 9 weeks ago so I might even be low on my 5 to 8 games because we blew some games where you almost have to try to lose we were so far ahead. It was mind boggling at the time. What I'm saying is, then a game like that for other teams you have to take away some the Cubs wins. Like vs the Pirate game scoring 6 in the 9th. It has to go both ways, not just in the Cubs favor. And what he's saying is, the amount of games given & taken away would be disproportionate (compared to a "real" contender). 18 BS of 40 SvO ( 45% BS - 41% SvO - 98 Games) before the All Star Break  ↑↑ ↑↑ (Both #'s insane) 5 BS of 14 SvO ( 36% BS - 31% SvO - 45 Games) Since Our "miracles" vs our "suck" aren't "equal". |
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Post by bryzzobrist on Sept 3, 2024 14:44:10 GMT -5
SI d-baggery headline: "Chicago Cubs Suffer Worst Collapse At Wrigley Field Since Steve Bartman Game". This is from last nights game. Tell me you don't want to smack this sports writer. "According to OptaSTATS, the cubs hadn't lost after blowing a 3-0 lead (or greater) in the same inning (eight inning or later) at home since game 6 of the 2003 NLCS against the marlins, also known as the infamous "steve bartman game". Get a life, SI.
One far away.
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Post by 2mileshighillini on Sept 3, 2024 14:44:25 GMT -5
We've already improved upon what we were, 2 Months ago.
A dramatic improvement, at that.
Now, we're gonna try to improve on what we are now.
I don't think there's anybody saying we don't need to improve.
Anybody out there think we won't try to improve, this off-season?
Raise your hand.
Why would we attack the club because we have to improve?
Doesn't everybody?
The good news?
It won't be that hard to improve, where we now need it the most.
And they're standing in line, to do just that.
BTW:
Corbin Carroll? Sophomore Slump? LOL
The last time that Carroll started & failed to get on base was JULY 7th
41 Games - An Arizona Record.
.275 / .352 / .661 / 1.013 / 17 HR's / 167 wRC+ / .414 wOBA
Anybody notice Arizona's Record since then?
Pretty good, right? (#1 in Baseball, during our 51 game Streak)
The Cubs have gained 3.5 games on Arizona, in our last 11 games.
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Sept 3, 2024 15:30:40 GMT -5
They wil need someone that is a 35-40 HR and 100+ RBI guy, but it won’t be Soto. I truly believe he will be a Yankee for life. Santander is the only other free agent with that kind of potential that would fit with the 2025 Cubs other than Soto that has the 35/40 HR 100 RBI likelihood and after this year he'll be looking in the neighborhood of a 7 year 175 mil deal with him being the 2nd best power hitter in FA. For the money I think I'd go with Soto at 10/500 & hope for the best but it's not my money. You might be correct on Soto but if he stays a Yankee they will have to outbid every other team in free agency to get him & I really don't know if they will go 10 years & 500 million minimum after Judge's contract last year but they might. Yes, 100%. I don't dislike Santander but enough with the maybes and pay up for the sure thing. Santander will be 30 and this screams "contract year". |
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Post by Returnofstevefitz on Sept 3, 2024 15:32:35 GMT -5
We've already improved upon what we were, 2 Months ago. A dramatic improvement, at that. Now, we're gonna try to improve on what we are now. I don't think there's anybody saying we don't need to improve. Anybody out there think we won't try to improve, this off-season? Raise your hand. Why would we attack the club because we have to improve? Doesn't everybody? The good news? It won't be that hard to improve, where we now need it the most. And they're standing in line, to do just that. BTW: Corbin Carroll? Sophomore Slump? LOL The last time that Carroll started & failed to get on base was JULY 7th41 Games - An Arizona Record. .275 / .352 / .661 / 1.013 / 17 HR's / 167 wRC+ / .414 wOBA Anybody notice Arizona's Record since then? Pretty good, right? (#1 in Baseball, during our 51 game Streak) The Cubs have gained 3.5 games on Arizona, in our last 11 games. "The last time that Carroll started & failed to get on base was JULY 7th 41 Games - An Arizona Record. .275 / .352 / .661 / 1.013 / 17 HR's / 167 wRC+ / .414 wOBA" Again, that means another slow start....... when did we start cherry picking so much? |
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Post by 2mileshighillini on Sept 3, 2024 15:51:33 GMT -5
BTW: Corbin Carroll? Sophomore Slump? LOL "The last time that Carroll started & failed to get on base was JULY 7th 41 Games - An Arizona Record. .275 / .352 / .661 / 1.013 / 17 HR's / 167 wRC+ / .414 wOBA" Again, that means another slow start....... When did we start cherry picking so much?When talking about our recent play, why would you include the Cleveland Sweep w/o including our Baltimore Sweep? Wouldn't that be cherry picking? Now I ask you... Which trend do you think will be more relevant, the remainder of his Sophomore Slump? |
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Post by 2mileshighillini on Sept 3, 2024 15:57:10 GMT -5
Is it so hard to say?
"Hey 2Miles, I really don't pay that much attention to what's going on in Baseball. I never realized how incredible Corbin has been, these past 2 Months and I didn't know he won the Player of the Month Award".
"If I had known that, I would have re-worded my response, to make it look more like, I pay attention".
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