belated annual schedule rant

[jjgman21]

sorry if this was covered earlier in the year, but I need to vent.

 

usually I like to pour over the schedule when it first comes out. haven't had time this year until now, and once again, the Cubs schedule is, at least on paper going into the season, considerably more difficult than the Cardinals. let's look at how many more games each team has against the various opponents

 

Cubs

Division - Brewers +3

League - Braves +1, Phils +1, Pads +1

Interleague - WhiteSox +3, Twins +3

 

 

Cards

Division - Astros +1

League - Nats +1, Rockies +3, Dodgers +1

Interleague - Royals +6

 

so once again, while the Cubs are going against some of the best teams in baseball and division winners, the Cards are facing the dregs of baseball.

 

furthermore, once again the Cubs are again probably the only team in the National League that has to go on a road trip that covers the east, west and central time zones AND again are forced to go on a nine game west coast road trip without the benefit of an off day before, after, or during that road trip.

 

how many years in a row does this kind of crap have to happen before people start to question whether it really is just a coincidence?

[ToupeeOnFire]

There is no doubt that the Cardinals have a built-in advantage by having KC as their rival. On the other hand, if this were the 80s, the opposite would have been true. That said, if I were named commisioner tomorrow, one of my first actions would be to eliminate interleague play and reinstitute balanced schedules.

[CubRock2]

if I were named commisioner tomorrow, one of my first actions would be to eliminate interleague play and reinstitute balanced schedules.

 

Then you'd be a bad commisioner.

 

It's great to see more Cubs games vs. great Central teams. Granted, they haven't been all that good lately, but the rivalries that exist with Pit, Cin, StL, and Hou, are all great fun to watch. I understand Hou is a new rival, and even Mil is growing into one, but I'd MUCH rather watch those 5-6 teams duke it out, no matter how bad one is. I don't think I'm alone on that.

 

You can redesign interleague play, but eliminating it would be a mistake. I could care less about the Rays-Brewers Series' but Sox/Yanks, Cards/Royals, Indians/Reds, Nats/O's, Sox/Cubs, Yanks/Dodgers, Giants/Yanks, Giants/A's, Dodgers/A's, Angels/Dodgers Series are great fun to watch, and build/enhance Rivalries.

[CubRock2]

Oh the original message!

 

The road trip is a joke. It's ridiculous that we get hosed like that, and I have noticed that it's gone on the last few years. Is it tradition? I know the Bulls and Hawks have done forever because of the Circus, but why us?

 

We complain every year about the interleague/NL match-ups. It's a moot point. Schedule makers have no idea who's going to be all that good, let alone are they worried about making sure each team is playing as fair a schedule as the other 29. Sure, if we lose the division by a game, and it's because of a close loss to the Twins and a blowout win by the Cards over the Rays, I'll wonder about it. But then we just need to beat the Twins.

 

We should really stop worrying about who other teams are playing. If we kick the Cards/Central's ass like we have been, then this won't even be a problem. Why do Chicagoans piss and moan about minute things like this? :roll:

[soccer10k]

if I were named commisioner tomorrow, one of my first actions would be to eliminate interleague play and reinstitute balanced schedules.

 

Then you'd be a bad commisioner.

 

It's great to see more Cubs games vs. great Central teams. Granted, they haven't been all that good lately, but the rivalries that exist with Pit, Cin, StL, and Hou, are all great fun to watch. I understand Hou is a new rival, and even Mil is growing into one, but I'd MUCH rather watch those 5-6 teams duke it out, no matter how bad one is. I don't think I'm alone on that.

 

You can redesign interleague play, but eliminating it would be a mistake. I could care less about the Rays-Brewers Series' but Sox/Yanks, Cards/Royals, Indians/Reds, Nats/O's, Sox/Cubs, Yanks/Dodgers, Giants/Yanks, Giants/A's, Dodgers/A's, Angels/Dodgers Series are great fun to watch, and build/enhance Rivalries.

 

Not sure which Sox you are talking about but whether it's Boston or Chicago, they would play the Yankees without interleague anyway. Maybe you meant Mets/Yanks.

 

I agree with your point though. I think seeing some of those games is entertaining and eliminating interleague play would be the wrong thing to do.

[CubRock2]

Red Sox/Yanks. Oops!

 

The Mets/Yanks are fun, too. But so is Yanks/Cubs, Cubs/Red Sox, and on and on and on.

[soccer10k]

Red Sox/Yanks. Oops!

 

The Mets/Yanks are fun, too. But so is Yanks/Cubs, Cubs/Red Sox, and on and on and on.

 

I just wasn't sure what you meant by Sox/Yanks.

 

But I couldn't agree with you more. There are plenty of interleague matchups that are entertaining with different plotlines. The Cubs in 2005 playing in Yankee stadium for the first time since 1938 and the Red Sox playing their first game in Wrigley since 1918. I like seeing matchups like that.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Red Sox/Yanks. Oops!

 

The Mets/Yanks are fun, too. But so is Yanks/Cubs, Cubs/Red Sox, and on and on and on.

 

I just wasn't sure what you meant by Sox/Yanks.

 

But I couldn't agree with you more. There are plenty of interleague matchups that are entertaining with different plotlines. The Cubs in 2005 playing in Yankee stadium for the first time since 1938 and the Red Sox playing their first game in Wrigley since 1918. I like seeing matchups like that.

 

Just a minor point here. The Red Sox had never played in Wrigley Field before. In 1918, Wirgley did not yet have it's upper deck, so in order to accomodate the larger attendance, the CUBS played the series at Comiskey Park.

[jjgman21]

Oh the original message!

 

The road trip is a joke. It's ridiculous that we get hosed like that, and I have noticed that it's gone on the last few years. Is it tradition? I know the Bulls and Hawks have done forever because of the Circus, but why us?

 

We complain every year about the interleague/NL match-ups. It's a moot point. Schedule makers have no idea who's going to be all that good, let alone are they worried about making sure each team is playing as fair a schedule as the other 29. Sure, if we lose the division by a game, and it's because of a close loss to the Twins and a blowout win by the Cards over the Rays, I'll wonder about it. But then we just need to beat the Twins.

 

We should really stop worrying about who other teams are playing. If we kick the Cards/Central's ass like we have been, then this won't even be a problem. Why do Chicagoans piss and moan about minute things like this? :roll:

 

this is not football. there is nowhere near the parity, and the schedule is not made years in advance. the schedule makers know exactly who they are matching up against who.

 

good teams become bad and bad become good incrementally in baseball, with few exceptions (this years Marlins being one, and a fine example of what it takes to go from good to bad). you can pretend that it's hard to predict whether the WhiteSox, Twins and Braves will be good and the Rockies and Royals will be bad, but that's being pretty damn naive.

 

while it may appear minute to you, this division very well could be decided by a game or two. the Cubs could go 9-6 against the Cards, play exactly equal to the Cards with every common opponent in baseball, and still lose the division. those 10 or so games where the Cubs have considerably harder competition very well could be the difference in this 162 game season. thus, in my opinion, a legitimate issue to piss and moan about.

[soccer10k]

Red Sox/Yanks. Oops!

 

The Mets/Yanks are fun, too. But so is Yanks/Cubs, Cubs/Red Sox, and on and on and on.

 

I just wasn't sure what you meant by Sox/Yanks.

 

But I couldn't agree with you more. There are plenty of interleague matchups that are entertaining with different plotlines. The Cubs in 2005 playing in Yankee stadium for the first time since 1938 and the Red Sox playing their first game in Wrigley since 1918. I like seeing matchups like that.

 

Just a minor point here. The Red Sox had never played in Wrigley Field before. In 1918, Wirgley did not yet have it's upper deck, so in order to accomodate the larger attendance, the CUBS played the series at Comiskey Park.

 

Thanks for the correction Fred. So would it be their first time playing since 1918?

 

BTW, post #1000. 8)

[CubRock2]

No, it isn't legitimate. If the Cubs can't beat the Twins, Braves, and Sox, then they have no business being in the playoffs. Those are potential opponents, and they have to beat those 3. If they're good enough to win the WS, they'll beat those teams. If they're not and lose to 'em, then the October heartbreak is saved and we can waste time prognosticating the Cubs offseason towel-throwing schedule.

[soccer10k]

Oh the original message!

 

The road trip is a joke. It's ridiculous that we get hosed like that, and I have noticed that it's gone on the last few years. Is it tradition? I know the Bulls and Hawks have done forever because of the Circus, but why us?

 

We complain every year about the interleague/NL match-ups. It's a moot point. Schedule makers have no idea who's going to be all that good, let alone are they worried about making sure each team is playing as fair a schedule as the other 29. Sure, if we lose the division by a game, and it's because of a close loss to the Twins and a blowout win by the Cards over the Rays, I'll wonder about it. But then we just need to beat the Twins.

 

We should really stop worrying about who other teams are playing. If we kick the Cards/Central's ass like we have been, then this won't even be a problem. Why do Chicagoans piss and moan about minute things like this? :roll:

 

this is not football. there is nowhere near the parity, and the schedule is not made years in advance. the schedule makers know exactly who they are matching up against who.

 

good teams become bad and bad become good incrementally in baseball, with few exceptions (this years Marlins being one, and a fine example of what it takes to go from good to bad). you can pretend that it's hard to predict whether the WhiteSox, Twins and Braves will be good and the Rockies and Royals will be bad, but that's being pretty damn naive.

 

while it may appear minute to you, this division very well could be decided by a game or two. the Cubs could go 9-6 against the Cards, play exactly equal to the Cards with every common opponent in baseball, and still lose the division. those 10 or so games where the Cubs have considerably harder competition very well could be the difference in this 162 game season. thus, in my opinion, a legitimate issue to piss and moan about.

 

Believe it or not there is actually more parity in baseball than in football. Basketball is actually the worst. I wrote an article on it for my school paper a couple weeks ago.

 

Since 1980:

MLB: 18 WS Champs in 25 seasons (no 1994)

NFL: 13 SB Champs in 26 seasons

NBA: 7 Finals Champs in 26 seasons

[goonys evil twin]

Believe it or not there is actually more parity in baseball than in football. Basketball is actually the worst. I wrote an article on it for my school paper a couple weeks ago.

 

Since 1980:

MLB: 18 WS Champs in 25 seasons (no 1994)

NFL: 13 SB Champs in 26 seasons

NBA: 7 Finals Champs in 26 seasons

 

# of different champs is not the only way to rank parity, nor is it close to a good way. Football has far more parity. Any team can go from worst to first in a year or two. Any team. There is no Yankees/Red Sox in football. There is nothing like the Braves in football.

[Andy]

Oh the original message!

 

The road trip is a joke. It's ridiculous that we get hosed like that, and I have noticed that it's gone on the last few years. Is it tradition? I know the Bulls and Hawks have done forever because of the Circus, but why us?

 

We complain every year about the interleague/NL match-ups. It's a moot point. Schedule makers have no idea who's going to be all that good, let alone are they worried about making sure each team is playing as fair a schedule as the other 29. Sure, if we lose the division by a game, and it's because of a close loss to the Twins and a blowout win by the Cards over the Rays, I'll wonder about it. But then we just need to beat the Twins.

 

We should really stop worrying about who other teams are playing. If we kick the Cards/Central's ass like we have been, then this won't even be a problem. Why do Chicagoans piss and moan about minute things like this? :roll:

 

this is not football. there is nowhere near the parity, and the schedule is not made years in advance. the schedule makers know exactly who they are matching up against who.

 

good teams become bad and bad become good incrementally in baseball, with few exceptions (this years Marlins being one, and a fine example of what it takes to go from good to bad). you can pretend that it's hard to predict whether the WhiteSox, Twins and Braves will be good and the Rockies and Royals will be bad, but that's being pretty damn naive.

 

while it may appear minute to you, this division very well could be decided by a game or two. the Cubs could go 9-6 against the Cards, play exactly equal to the Cards with every common opponent in baseball, and still lose the division. those 10 or so games where the Cubs have considerably harder competition very well could be the difference in this 162 game season. thus, in my opinion, a legitimate issue to piss and moan about.

 

Believe it or not there is actually more parity in baseball than in football. Basketball is actually the worst. I wrote an article on it for my school paper a couple weeks ago.

 

Since 1980:

MLB: 18 WS Champs in 25 seasons (no 1994)

NFL: 13 SB Champs in 26 seasons

NBA: 7 Finals Champs in 26 seasons

Parity can't be measured in terms of that magnitude.

[Caryatid]

While I like interleague play, I think there is really no reason for 6 games between geographic rivals (Cubs-Sox). They should either play them each year 3 times, or play them 6 times every other year. It gives a basic advantage to teams that play perpetually putrid organizations (Royals, Pirates).

[Caryatid]

Oh the original message!

 

The road trip is a joke. It's ridiculous that we get hosed like that, and I have noticed that it's gone on the last few years. Is it tradition? I know the Bulls and Hawks have done forever because of the Circus, but why us?

 

We complain every year about the interleague/NL match-ups. It's a moot point. Schedule makers have no idea who's going to be all that good, let alone are they worried about making sure each team is playing as fair a schedule as the other 29. Sure, if we lose the division by a game, and it's because of a close loss to the Twins and a blowout win by the Cards over the Rays, I'll wonder about it. But then we just need to beat the Twins.

 

We should really stop worrying about who other teams are playing. If we kick the Cards/Central's ass like we have been, then this won't even be a problem. Why do Chicagoans piss and moan about minute things like this? :roll:

 

this is not football. there is nowhere near the parity, and the schedule is not made years in advance. the schedule makers know exactly who they are matching up against who.

 

good teams become bad and bad become good incrementally in baseball, with few exceptions (this years Marlins being one, and a fine example of what it takes to go from good to bad). you can pretend that it's hard to predict whether the WhiteSox, Twins and Braves will be good and the Rockies and Royals will be bad, but that's being pretty damn naive.

 

while it may appear minute to you, this division very well could be decided by a game or two. the Cubs could go 9-6 against the Cards, play exactly equal to the Cards with every common opponent in baseball, and still lose the division. those 10 or so games where the Cubs have considerably harder competition very well could be the difference in this 162 game season. thus, in my opinion, a legitimate issue to piss and moan about.

 

Believe it or not there is actually more parity in baseball than in football. Basketball is actually the worst. I wrote an article on it for my school paper a couple weeks ago.

 

Since 1980:

MLB: 18 WS Champs in 25 seasons (no 1994)

NFL: 13 SB Champs in 26 seasons

NBA: 7 Finals Champs in 26 seasons

Parity can't be measured in terms of that magnitude.

 

True, but there have also been more unique teams in baseball to win their division or make the playoffs (relative to the number of teams who get in), than any other league over the last 15 years.

 

The "lack of parity" argument against baseball has quite a bit of smoke and mirrors to it.