First nine games in the books

[Cubfanintheknow]

And a 6-3 record. Not too shabby.

 

There is/was a WGN radio personality, John Williams, perhaps, who suggested breaking down the schedule in nine game increments (I'm sure it was proposed by someone before him, but Williams' reference was the most recent to suggest it). There are 18 nine-game blocks in the schedule. Go just 5-4 in every nine game sequence and you finish with a 90-72 record. Probably not a lock for a playoff spot, but certainly in the mix.

 

Nice to be ahead of the schedule after the first nine games and the prospects look good for another winning nine game set with Pittsburgh, the Dodgers and the Cardinals--yes the Cardinals--coming up.

 

It's very early, but it's hard keeping my optimism in check right now!

[rynesrevenge0206]

I mean, who even cares if we have the 4th best winning percentage in the majors. It's not like I'm counting.... :lol:

[soccer10k]

I understand it's early but I really love the sweep of the Cardinals last weekend. I think that meant a lot for a young team. If we can take two out of three against them next weekend in St Louis, that would be huge as well. Overall, I think our starting pitching needs to improve, mainly Z. I like that we are able to score 11 runs without hitting a home run. I understand the importance of the home run, but I felt we relied on it way too much. I think Pierre will be better as a leadoff hitter than anyone we have had in the past couple years (Kenny Lofton comes to mind but he was only here for a couple months). The young guys, Murton and Cedeno, are producing. The bullpen has performed like we expected it to as well. I'm impressed by the start but we need to keep it up.

[TB_11]

What I've liked best about the season so far:

 

1) Maddux: If he keeps the ball in the ballpark he'll have a great year

2) The offense: It's been very productive even while three of the eight have struggled - Pierre, Jones, and Aramis

3) The offense: It's been strong enough to carry us through some weak pitching performances

4) The bullpen: Aside from some one-off disasters (Ohman comes to mind), its looked very good. Eyre, Dempster, Howry, and Williamson have combined for 22 and 2/3 innings in which they have allowed 21 baserunners, struck out 21, given up 1 home run, and have given up 2 earned runs.

5) Derrek and Barret: 44 total bases between them in 9 games, and Derrek already has 10 walks.

 

I don't think each of these five will continue at the same level as they have through 9 games, but if the trends stay the same it will be a great year.

[soccer10k]

What I've liked best about the season so far:

 

1) Maddux: If he keeps the ball in the ballpark he'll have a great year

2) The offense: It's been very productive even while three of the eight have struggled - Pierre, Jones, and Aramis

3) The offense: It's been strong enough to carry us through some weak pitching performances

4) The bullpen: Aside from some one-off disasters (Ohman comes to mind), its looked very good. Eyre, Dempster, Howry, and Williamson have combined for 22 and 2/3 innings in which they have allowed 21 baserunners, struck out 21, given up 1 home run, and have given up 2 earned runs.

5) Derrek and Barret: 44 total bases between them in 9 games, and Derrek already has 10 walks.

 

I don't think each of these five will continue at the same level as they have through 9 games, but if the trends stay the same it will be a great year.

 

But at the same time, you have to figure that Aramis will hit. Pierre should hit a little better. Jones I'm not sure about. But a drop off from Barrett will be nullified by an increase in production from Aramis. Maddux will have his poor outings but I think he'll be better this year. And I see no reason why the bullpen would have a significant drop off. They will have some bad outings, but at the end of the season I expect our bullpen to be the best and most consistent part of our team.

[TB_11]

What I've liked best about the season so far:

 

1) Maddux: If he keeps the ball in the ballpark he'll have a great year

2) The offense: It's been very productive even while three of the eight have struggled - Pierre, Jones, and Aramis

3) The offense: It's been strong enough to carry us through some weak pitching performances

4) The bullpen: Aside from some one-off disasters (Ohman comes to mind), its looked very good. Eyre, Dempster, Howry, and Williamson have combined for 22 and 2/3 innings in which they have allowed 21 baserunners, struck out 21, given up 1 home run, and have given up 2 earned runs.

5) Derrek and Barret: 44 total bases between them in 9 games, and Derrek already has 10 walks.

 

I don't think each of these five will continue at the same level as they have through 9 games, but if the trends stay the same it will be a great year.

 

But at the same time, you have to figure that Aramis will hit. Pierre should hit a little better. Jones I'm not sure about. But a drop off from Barrett will be nullified by an increase in production from Aramis. Maddux will have his poor outings but I think he'll be better this year. And I see no reason why the bullpen would have a significant drop off. They will have some bad outings, but at the end of the season I expect our bullpen to be the best and most consistent part of our team.

 

I agree that the drop off from Barrett will be offset by an improvement from Aramis. But the offense has been performing at a level that I don't think we should expect for the rest of the season. After 10 games the offense is averaging 6 runs per game, which is at least a run higher than what we should be realistically expecting them to score over 162 games. I'm still pleasantly surprised by what they've done, but don't expect it to continue at the level it has.

 

Given the state of the starting pitching, I hope you're correct about the bullpen. Eyre's outing today was another good effort that suggest the bullpen will be improved over last year.

[Sosa21MVP]

And a 6-3 record. Not too shabby.

 

There is/was a WGN radio personality, John Williams, perhaps, who suggested breaking down the schedule in nine game increments (I'm sure it was proposed by someone before him, but Williams' reference was the most recent to suggest it). There are 18 nine-game blocks in the schedule. Go just 5-4 in every nine game sequence and you finish with a 90-72 record. Probably not a lock for a playoff spot, but certainly in the mix.

 

Nice to be ahead of the schedule after the first nine games and the prospects look good for another winning nine game set with Pittsburgh, the Dodgers and the Cardinals--yes the Cardinals--coming up.

 

It's very early, but it's hard keeping my optimism in check right now!

 

Overall, a pretty good start. The Cubs historically have tended to dig a hole early in the season and be forced to play catchup all season. Well maybe not so much in recent years but I can remember plenty of seasons since 1986 where I spent half the year rooting for the Cubs to get back to .500.

 

Of course with our success in the new millenium, the bar is raised as it should be.

 

Not really in the mood to break it down into a lot of detail but the only thing that really bothers as a TEAM was losing the series to Cincinnati at home. The 9 game splits idea is interesting and perhaps a simple way to gauge the pace the team is on. Myself, I look at this way: win or tie every series and everything falls into place. Win 2 out of 3 everytime and you finish 108-54. Obviously very few teams hit that mark but it sets a good general rule of thumb that keeps me from losing my mind when the Cubs are in a situation like tonight having lost a very winnable game and blown a quality start by Williams when we should be in position to sweep. So I tell myself, as long as we win tomorrow it is fine.

 

Split 2 @ Cincy

Sweet 3 vs Cards

Lost 2 of 3 vs Cincy

 

The sweep of the Cards offsets the lost series to the Reds so if the Cubs win on Sunday, then I'm feeling like they are still on the right track at least from a pure W/L perspective. Although I'm a bit frightened by the state of our starting rotation with Prior/Wood crippled. Not sure I can buy the notion of the Cubs staying in the race until October unless Prior returns, we trade for another starter or a young kid steps up. Wood I'm writing off as a starter unfortunately. Keep him in the pen whenever he does regain health.

 

I do think the Cubs should score enough runs more often than not although obviously tonight was a failure from that standpoint. Any given day that you allow 2 runs or fewer, need to win about 99% of the time in my opinion. :(

[soccer10k]

Let's just hope than Gopher Ball Glendon doesn't give the game away early and at least gives us a chance to win the game tomorrow.

[NCCubFan]

Wood I'm writing off as a starter unfortunately. Keep him in the pen whenever he does regain health.

No; he's too talented to be used as a reliever at this point. Closer is set with Dempster, and setup is solid with Howry, Eyre, and Williamson. Using Wood in middle relief would be a waste. It's too early to write him off as a starter until he shows how well he's able to come back from his surgery.