It's time to test JJ Hardy...

[SouthSideRyan]

why are people having such a hard time admitting that the brewers are better than the cubs?

 

I think they're about equal talent wise, but right now projecting forward, you'd have to give it to the Brewers based on the early lead. But one can still say the Brewers are a better team without saying stuff like Estrada is equal to Barrett and Ben Sheets is better than Zambrano cause Z is an injury risk.

[Magnetic Curses]

why are people having such a hard time admitting that the brewers are better than the cubs?

 

because they aren't?

[JenksFan5]

because they aren't?

 

I like visiting other teams boards and having intelligent discussions based on observation and statistical analysis. I have never been a troll and like to just talk baseball. If I feel that I can add something to a discussion, I might chime in, but not usually on another team's board.

 

However, it is comments like these that I have a hard time with. The Brewers have been clearly a better team than the Cubs this year. The Cubs have won some games against weak opponents just like the Brewers have done lately and have climbed over .500 playing some good baseball. However, the Brewers have been and are the better team as of 5/6/07. Now could that change. Of course. I would hope the Cubs would be more competitive than they were to begin the season based on talent and payroll alone, but you have to give credit where credit is do. The Brewers are the better team right now.

 

Now I will return to the woodwork.

[Brian]

The Brewers are the better team right now.

 

I don't like to make claims this early. I will admit that the Brewers are on a hot start, but I think/hope our teams are going to be fighting for the division down the stretch. The season series is tied 3-3

[JenksFan5]

The Brewers could play the Cubs and one team could be terrible and one team great and they would still beat up on each other. It should be a good race to watch over the summer.

 

Looking forward to it :D

[cubs121]

The Brewers could play the Cubs and one team could be terrible and one team great and they would still beat up on each other. It should be a good race to watch over the summer.

 

Looking forward to it :D

same here, i dont see the Brewers running away with this division, at least i hope they dont. :shock:

[Drew Doughty]

 

I would really have a hard time taking Lee over Fielder for this season going forward. Lee's numbers are better right now, but he isn't going to hit .410 all year, and when he starts hitting .320, if he isn't hitting more home runs, Fielder will be at the worst, even with him.

 

Just like he isn't hitting 410 this year, he isn't going to hit HRs at his current pace.

 

What proves this? I mean, we know he won't hit .400 because his babip is unsustainable, but what is there that says that his power will come around?

 

well his hr/fb rate is insanely low, more than half his normal rate. we know he's hitting the ball with authority, so it stands to reason that the HR will come with time. I'd imagine he goes on a tear sometime relatively soon unless he stops hitting the ball hard. Then again, we've been waiting for that tear for about 3 weeks now, so we'll see.

[cubs121]

 

I would really have a hard time taking Lee over Fielder for this season going forward. Lee's numbers are better right now, but he isn't going to hit .410 all year, and when he starts hitting .320, if he isn't hitting more home runs, Fielder will be at the worst, even with him.

 

Just like he isn't hitting 410 this year, he isn't going to hit HRs at his current pace.

 

What proves this? I mean, we know he won't hit .400 because his babip is unsustainable, but what is there that says that his power will come around?

 

well his hr/fb rate is insanely low, more than half his normal rate. we know he's hitting the ball with authority, so it stands to reason that the HR will come with time. I'd imagine he goes on a tear sometime relatively soon unless he stops hitting the ball hard. Then again, we've been waiting for that tear for about 3 weeks now, so we'll see.

i also think that, Lee's power will come soon.. again, he just needs to continue to hit the ball hard.

[abuck1220]

why are people having such a hard time admitting that the brewers are better than the cubs?

 

because they aren't?

 

really? because the standings say otherwise.

 

unfortunately, the division winner is determined by the standings and not a position by position >/= contest. the brewers are going to have to completely collapse or suffer some serious injuries for them not to be in contention all season.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

because they aren't?

 

I like visiting other teams boards and having intelligent discussions based on observation and statistical analysis. I have never been a troll and like to just talk baseball. If I feel that I can add something to a discussion, I might chime in, but not usually on another team's board.

 

However, it is comments like these that I have a hard time with. The Brewers have been clearly a better team than the Cubs this year. The Cubs have won some games against weak opponents just like the Brewers have done lately and have climbed over .500 playing some good baseball. However, the Brewers have been and are the better team as of 5/6/07. Now could that change. Of course. I would hope the Cubs would be more competitive than they were to begin the season based on talent and payroll alone, but you have to give credit where credit is do. The Brewers are the better team right now.

 

Now I will return to the woodwork.

 

I think there's a distinction between saying the Cubs are just as good as the Brewers and saying the Cubs have won as many games as the Brewers(obviously false). For example, fan favorite Neifi Perez went 2 for 4 with a 2B and a HR today. Aramis Ramirez went 0 for 4 with a walk. No one questions Neifi performed better today, but to extrapolate that he's better isn't correct for a multitude of reasons. Likewise, the Brewers have won several more games than the Cubs to this point, but peripheral factors(run differential, analysis of the players/teams prior to the season) indicate they are very close to each other in overall ability. So while no one questions that the Brewers have won more games, that doesn't necessarily mean they've improved on the whole from where they were thought to be at the beginning of the year.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

why are people having such a hard time admitting that the brewers are better than the cubs?

 

because they aren't?

 

really? because the standings say otherwise.

 

unfortunately, the division winner is determined by the standings and not a position by position >/= contest. the brewers are going to have to completely collapse or suffer some serious injuries for them not to be in contention all season.

 

Saying "the Brewers are not clearly better than the Cubs" is not the same as saying "the Cubs are clearly better than the Brewers".

[brinoch]

because they aren't?

 

I like visiting other teams boards and having intelligent discussions based on observation and statistical analysis. I have never been a troll and like to just talk baseball. If I feel that I can add something to a discussion, I might chime in, but not usually on another team's board.

 

However, it is comments like these that I have a hard time with. The Brewers have been clearly a better team than the Cubs this year. The Cubs have won some games against weak opponents just like the Brewers have done lately and have climbed over .500 playing some good baseball. However, the Brewers have been and are the better team as of 5/6/07. Now could that change. Of course. I would hope the Cubs would be more competitive than they were to begin the season based on talent and payroll alone, but you have to give credit where credit is do. The Brewers are the better team right now.

 

Now I will return to the woodwork.

 

I think there's a distinction between saying the Cubs are just as good as the Brewers and saying the Cubs have won as many games as the Brewers(obviously false). For example, fan favorite Neifi Perez went 2 for 4 with a 2B and a HR today. Aramis Ramirez went 0 for 4 with a walk. No one questions Neifi performed better today, but to extrapolate that he's better isn't correct for a multitude of reasons. Likewise, the Brewers have won several more games than the Cubs to this point, but peripheral factors(run differential, analysis of the players/teams prior to the season) indicate they are very close to each other in overall ability. So while no one questions that the Brewers have won more games, that doesn't necessarily mean they've improved on the whole from where they were thought to be at the beginning of the year.

 

They are who we thought they are. Just crown their !

[Magnetic Curses]

why are people having such a hard time admitting that the brewers are better than the cubs?

 

because they aren't?

 

really? because the standings say otherwise.

 

unfortunately, the division winner is determined by the standings and not a position by position >/= contest. the brewers are going to have to completely collapse or suffer some serious injuries for them not to be in contention all season.

 

are you implying that baseball standings after a month and some change is an accurate rating system?

 

that's not like you, dog.

[Magnetic Curses]

because they aren't?

 

I like visiting other teams boards and having intelligent discussions based on observation and statistical analysis. I have never been a troll and like to just talk baseball. If I feel that I can add something to a discussion, I might chime in, but not usually on another team's board.

 

However, it is comments like these that I have a hard time with. The Brewers have been clearly a better team than the Cubs this year. The Cubs have won some games against weak opponents just like the Brewers have done lately and have climbed over .500 playing some good baseball. However, the Brewers have been and are the better team as of 5/6/07. Now could that change. Of course. I would hope the Cubs would be more competitive than they were to begin the season based on talent and payroll alone, but you have to give credit where credit is do. The Brewers are the better team right now.

 

Now I will return to the woodwork.

 

the season is not 30 games and i'm not ready to proclaim the brewers as the kings of baseball because they've been successful thus far.

 

they have a better record, and they have marginally better peripherals, but that's assuming the cubs won't hit for power this season, which they probably will.

[Soul]

why are people having such a hard time admitting that the brewers are better than the cubs?

 

because they aren't?

 

really? because the standings say otherwise.

 

unfortunately, the division winner is determined by the standings and not a position by position >/= contest. the brewers are going to have to completely collapse or suffer some serious injuries for them not to be in contention all season.

 

are you implying that baseball standings after a month and some change is an accurate rating system?

 

that's not like you, dog.

 

I think it's accurate to say they've played better than us so far. Whether that means they are better in the final analysis will depend on what happens to them in July/August/Sept, which has recently been when they pull a fade.

 

I think there's something different about this bunch though. They'll taper off, but I still think they'll at least challenge all year. If the Cubs can keep getting these great pitching performances, hopefully we can match them. Could be a nice little divisional race in the Central that *doesn't* involve the Stros or the Cards. That would be a welcome change, probably for a lot of people, not just Cubs/Brewers fans.

[98navigator]

why are people having such a hard time admitting that the brewers are better than the cubs?

 

because they aren't?

 

really? because the standings say otherwise.

 

unfortunately, the division winner is determined by the standings and not a position by position >/= contest. the brewers are going to have to completely collapse or suffer some serious injuries for them not to be in contention all season.

 

are you implying that baseball standings after a month and some change is an accurate rating system?

 

that's not like you, dog.

 

I think it's accurate to say they've played better than us so far. Whether that means they are better in the final analysis will depend on what happens to them in July/August/Sept, which has recently been when they pull a fade.

 

I think there's something different about this bunch though. They'll taper off, but I still think they'll at least challenge all year. If the Cubs can keep getting these great pitching performances, hopefully we can match them. Could be a nice little divisional race in the Central that *doesn't* involve the Stros or the Cards. That would be a welcome change, probably for a lot of people, not just Cubs/Brewers fans.

 

I took a look at the Cubs and Brewers schedules for June and I see that they have 4 interleague series (two on the road) in June, while the Cubs have three interleague series.

 

MIL @ TEX 6/8-6/10
CHC @ ATL 6/8-6/10

MIL @ DET 6/12-6/14
SEA @ CHC 6/12-6/14

MIL @ MIN 6/15-6/17
SD  @ CHC 6/15-6/17

SF  @ MIL 6/18-6/20
CHC @ TEX 6/19-6/21

KC  @ MIL 6/22-6/24
CHC @ CWS 6/22-6/24

MIL @ CHC 6/29-7/01

 

From the Cubs' perspective, I think playing the Rangers and Sox on the road is a plus this year (compared to last season's punch-less club) because it will allow for Jones, Murton, and Floyd (DH) to all play in the games at the same time.

 

Of course, I'm hoping the Brewers will have their hands full with Detroit, Texas, and the Twins (not to mention KC).

[Ender]

I think Fielder is going to have a huge year but I'd still rather have Lee. Lee is an outstanding defensive 1B and his power will come around once that wind starts blowing out more often. I just don't think its as big an advantage Cubs as was stated earlier in the thread.

 

The Cubs and Brewers match up well with each other, I think it will be a fun race all year. My money personally is on the Brewers because I think they have more depth and can weather an injury better and well because they already have a head start. I don't think anyone runs away with things though, it will be close and come down to a few games one way or the other.

[Keener98]

I think Fielder is going to have a huge year but I'd still rather have Lee. Lee is an outstanding defensive 1B and his power will come around once that wind starts blowing out more often. I just don't think its as big an advantage Cubs as was stated earlier in the thread.

 

The Cubs and Brewers match up well with each other, I think it will be a fun race all year. My money personally is on the Brewers because I am a Brewers fan. I don't think anyone runs away with things though, it will be close and come down to a few games one way or the other.

 

fixed :D

[Ender]

Nope, I haven't picked the Brewers to win the division in 15 years, I don't let fandom get in the way of predictions. If an IF goes down the Brewers have a vet to take over. They have Braun and Rottino tearing up AAA who can come up and fill in. They have Gross who would start vs righties on almost any team sitting on the bench most nights. Gwynn is an adequate CF. If they lose a SP they have villaneuva who can step in and not really lose much AND Gallardo who is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

 

The team is going to weather injuries better than the Cubs, especially an injury to a starting pitcher. The one guy that would just kill the Brewers is if Fielder goes down, they don't have a real viable backup at 1B in the minors or on the club. Its a deeper team with less top end talent.

[Keener98]

Nope, I haven't picked the Brewers to win the division in 15 years, I don't let fandom get in the way of predictions. If an IF goes down the Brewers have a vet to take over. They have Braun and Rottino tearing up AAA who can come up and fill in. They have Gross who would start vs righties on almost any team sitting on the bench most nights. Gwynn is an adequate CF. If they lose a SP they have villaneuva who can step in and not really lose much AND Gallardo who is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

 

The team is going to weather injuries better than the Cubs, especially an injury to a starting pitcher. The one guy that would just kill the Brewers is if Fielder goes down, they don't have a real viable backup at 1B in the minors or on the club. Its a deeper team with less top end talent.

 

Well that probably wasnt too difficult of a decision to make lol. :D

[Exile on Waveland]

I'd also probably pick the Brewers because of depth and the fast start.

[Pushfrog98]

why are people having such a hard time admitting that the brewers are better than the cubs?

 

because they aren't?

 

really? because the standings say otherwise.

 

unfortunately, the division winner is determined by the standings and not a position by position >/= contest. the brewers are going to have to completely collapse or suffer some serious injuries for them not to be in contention all season.

I guess lucky for you and the Brewers, in my 24 years of being a fan of baseball, i've never seen a team completely collapse or suffer some serious injuries.

[Warpticon]

Anybody remember the Reds' record this time last year? 21-11. The Brewers may be better than the Cubs, but that's not proven over less than 1/5 of the season.

[CubColtPacer]

Anybody remember the Reds' record this time last year?

 

21-11 as of May 7th, 2006.

[SouthSideRyan]

This Brewers team is better than that Reds team. And Doug Melvin probably won't trade away his team's playoff chances in July.