Don't look now...

moorecg · July 6, 2007

But we're just as close to getting the Wild Card as we are First Place in our division....and I think its good b/c the 3 teams out West are going to beat up on each other all second half....

Is it ok to start feeling good yet? These last 2-3 weeks sure makes one think big.

inari · July 6, 2007

I was 90% sure this was going to be about the Cardinals. Glad I'm wrong.

RynoRules · July 6, 2007

I think we do have to watch our back; the Cards are lurking, though we're certainly better overall than they are. Crew just lost Hall for 6-8 weeks. Big loss. We certainly set up as the best team in the div. at least.

I am excited.

A New Era · July 6, 2007

I've got a baaaa-a-a-a-a-ad feeling about this.

I don't know, I just remember any time anyone has posted "don't look now", in the past years. Good things did not follow.

CubsWin · July 6, 2007

I've got a baaaa-a-a-a-a-ad feeling about this.

I don't know, I just remember any time anyone has posted "don't look now", in the past years. Good things did not follow.

Those were past years. This is this year.[/crossing fingers]

J.R. · July 6, 2007

I think we do have to watch our back; the Cards are lurking, though we're certainly better overall than they are. Crew just lost Hall for 6-8 weeks. Big loss. We certainly set up as the best team in the div. at least.

I am excited.

Me too.

erik316wttn · July 6, 2007

The Cubbies are coming, tra la, tra la.

Edit: This is Erik being optimistic. Bookmark this post, as it may not happen again for quite a long time.

Edited July 6, 2007 by erik316wttn

HoopsCubs · July 6, 2007

But we're just as close to getting the Wild Card as we are First Place in our division....and I think its good b/c the 3 teams out West are going to beat up on each other all second half....

Is it ok to start feeling good yet? These last 2-3 weeks sure makes one think big.

Ken Rosenthal is right with you. He too is wondering out loud if the post-season might include Cubs AND Brewers.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6988608?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49

"Don't rule out the possibility of the NL wild card coming out of the Central division. The Phillies and Braves have faded in the East, and the second-best team in the West might not be better than the Brewers or Cubs.

Keep in mind also that the Central includes three of the league's four worst teams — the Astros, Pirates and Reds. After Tuesday, the Brewers face those clubs 30 times, the Cubs 33. And the other team in the division, the Cardinals, isn't exactly imposing . . ."

"

RyneSandberg · July 6, 2007

I won't feel good until we take the Pittsburgh series.

CUBZ99 · July 6, 2007

But we're just as close to getting the Wild Card as we are First Place in our division....and I think its good b/c the 3 teams out West are going to beat up on each other all second half....

Is it ok to start feeling good yet? These last 2-3 weeks sure makes one think big.

Ken Rosenthal is right with you. He too is wondering out loud if the post-season might include Cubs AND Brewers.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6988608?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49

"Don't rule out the possibility of the NL wild card coming out of the Central division. The Phillies and Braves have faded in the East, and the second-best team in the West might not be better than the Brewers or Cubs.
Keep in mind also that the Central includes three of the league's four worst teams — the Astros, Pirates and Reds. After Tuesday, the Brewers face those clubs 30 times, the Cubs 33. And the other team in the division, the Cardinals, isn't exactly imposing . . ."

"

More than 1/3 of the schedule is vs. the Astros, Pirates and Reds?? Wow.

Fred Hornkohl · July 6, 2007

Wild Card Race

Team             W       L       Pct      GB
Los Angeles     48      37     0.565     ---
Arizona         47      40     0.540     2.0
Atlanta         44      41     0.518     4.0
CUBS            43      41     0.512     4.5
Philadelphia    43      42     0.506     5.0
Colorado        42      43     0.494     6.0
St. Louis       39      43     0.476     7.5
Florida         40      46     0.465     8.5

rabidawg900 · July 6, 2007

Pirates are hot...maybe they'll sweep us too... :shock:

Brian · July 6, 2007

Even when the Cardinals couldn't buy a win, and looked like a total train wreck they scared me and they still do. Until they are eliminated I will not be surprised if they win the division some how some way

CubmanPi · July 6, 2007

But we're just as close to getting the Wild Card as we are First Place in our division....and I think its good b/c the 3 teams out West are going to beat up on each other all second half....

Is it ok to start feeling good yet? These last 2-3 weeks sure makes one think big.

Ken Rosenthal is right with you. He too is wondering out loud if the post-season might include Cubs AND Brewers.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6988608?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49

"Don't rule out the possibility of the NL wild card coming out of the Central division. The Phillies and Braves have faded in the East, and the second-best team in the West might not be better than the Brewers or Cubs.
Keep in mind also that the Central includes three of the league's four worst teams — the Astros, Pirates and Reds. After Tuesday, the Brewers face those clubs 30 times, the Cubs 33. And the other team in the division, the Cardinals, isn't exactly imposing . . ."

"

More than 1/3 of the schedule is vs. the Astros, Pirates and Reds?? Wow.

To continue on the idea of schedules, Cubs and Brewers only have 3 games remaining against each other, so their competition against each other is primarily going to be a contest of who can beat the division bottom dwellers the best. Hopefully in that regard, this week was a good indicator.

As far as the WC hopefuls are concerned, the western division teams still have some beating up on each other to go.

Dodgers: 6 vs ARI, 6 vs SD

Padres: 6 vs LAD, 13 vs ARI - plus, they end the season with a 4-game series against the Brewers

ARI: 6 vs LAD, 13 vs SD

And in the east, each of the Mets, Braves, and Phillies have at least 16 games remaining against each other.

It definitely looks as though the WC is a possibility for the NL central.

Abe Frohman · July 6, 2007

Though it was up and down, the Cubs had a solid first half with good momentum for the second half.

Lots can happen, but this team is in good shape so far.

CubinNY · July 6, 2007

Though it was up and down, the Cubs had a solid first half with good momentum for the second half.

Lots can happen, but this team is in good shape so far.

I agree, somewhat. Hendry must be proactive and get a SS, CF, or catcher. He cannot wait until the deadline. Also we have to hope for good health. I'm looking a your Aramis. Oh, and also Lee needs to start hitting some taters.

So, in conclusion, the Cubs need some more offense and a lot of luck.

I am starting to believe for the first time since 2003.

BleedCubbieBlue81 · July 6, 2007

To be honest, I'm more scared of the Cards than I am the Brewers. Carpenter comes back soon, and while many of you may think he may not be very effective, I assure you he'll be more effective than Kip Wells is for them. They will be there in the end.

That being said, it's been a long time since I've been this excited about a Cubs team. It just seems like a lot is falling into place. I'm hoping it's not just a winning streak though. I hope it's a sign of a team finding their rhythm and becoming the team they should be...

third eye · July 6, 2007

Though it was up and down, the Cubs had a solid first half with good momentum for the second half.

Lots can happen, but this team is in good shape so far.

I agree, somewhat. Hendry must be proactive and get a SS, CF, or catcher. He cannot wait until the deadline. Also we have to hope for good health. I'm looking a your Aramis. Oh, and also Lee needs to start hitting some taters.

So, in conclusion, the Cubs need some more offense and a lot of luck.

I am starting to believe for the first time since 2003.

I was in full believe mode in 2004. Thats was the most talented roster top to bottom i have seen as long as I've followed baseball (maybe skewed a bit by my blue tinted goggles). In any case, we havent seen this stretch of good baseball since they got hot in early June of 2005. That ended badly though as the team's flaws were revealed. What gives me more hope is that i think this rotation and bullpen are deeper than that team's was.

Does anyone else see parallels between the way this season has gone and the way 2001 went? Insert the Cubs as the Astros and the Brewers as the Cubs. The Cards are the Cards. The Cubs were 3.5 games up at the break that year, but had been out in front by 6.5 when the astros were struggling. They put it together and passed the Cubs in August, and the Cards got hot and passed both. I think both Cards and Astros finished with 93 wins and the cubs with 88. Also, if you remember that year, the Cubs started out hot, then swooned before going on another hot streak before the break, similar to what the Brewers have done. Yes, this is anecdotal and has no sabr value as an analysis, but the tone of the season seems eerily reminiscent.

Brian · July 6, 2007

I was in full believe mode in 2004. Thats was the most talented roster top to bottom i have seen as long as I've followed baseball (maybe skewed a bit by my blue tinted goggles).

Definitely one of the most (if not for sure the most) talented Cubs teams I've seen.

That team should have ripped through the league after the trade deadline

And the most depressing thing looking back at the end of '04 is the starting pitching. Zambrano and Prior were unhitable. Rusch was even pitching out of his mind... but that bullpen :(

I remember listening to a game against the Reds from September '04. Prior was flirting with 20K for the first half, kind of lost steam with the K's near the end but ended up with 16 or 18. Gave up a solo home run somewhere in the later innings and left after 9IP with a ND, and of course the Cubs lost it in extras.

EDIT - Just looked it up, it was his last start of the year, sept. 30th, so I think the season was all but officially dead at that point.

9.0IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1HR, 1BB, 16K

Sosa had a solo HR

Kearns had the HR against Prior

Javier #$%^&^ Valentin doubled in the winning run.... Adam Dunn (who set the major league strikeout record for season that day)

And a Rusch start where the only offensive support he got was a solo home run... that he hit.

BleedCubbieBlue81 · July 6, 2007

I was in full believe mode in 2004. Thats was the most talented roster top to bottom i have seen as long as I've followed baseball (maybe skewed a bit by my blue tinted goggles).

Definitely one of the most (if not for sure the most) talented Cubs teams I've seen.

That team should have ripped through the league after the trade deadline

And the most depressing thing looking back at the end of '04 is the starting pitching. Zambrano and Prior were unhitable. Rusch was even pitching out of his mind... but that bullpen :(

I remember listening to a game against the Reds from September '04. Prior was flirting with 20K for the first half, kind of lost steam with the K's near the end but ended up with 16 or 18. Gave up a solo home run somewhere in the later innings and left after 9IP with a ND, and of course the Cubs lost it in extras.

EDIT - Just looked it up, it was his last start of the year, sept. 30th, so I think the season was all but officially dead at that point.

9.0IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1HR, 1BB, 16K
Sosa had a solo HR
Kearns had the HR against Prior
Javier #$%^&^ Valentin doubled in the winning run.... Adam Dunn (who set the major league strikeout record for season that day)

And a Rusch start where the only offensive support he got was a solo home run... that he hit.

I remember that Prior game. That was the last time in a while that Prior actually pitched like Mark Prior. Ahh, the good ol days... :cry:

Damn you and your cursed arm Mark Prior!

third eye · July 6, 2007

I was in full believe mode in 2004. Thats was the most talented roster top to bottom i have seen as long as I've followed baseball (maybe skewed a bit by my blue tinted goggles).

Definitely one of the most (if not for sure the most) talented Cubs teams I've seen.

That team should have ripped through the league after the trade deadline

And the most depressing thing looking back at the end of '04 is the starting pitching. Zambrano and Prior were unhitable. Rusch was even pitching out of his mind... but that bullpen :(

I remember listening to a game against the Reds from September '04. Prior was flirting with 20K for the first half, kind of lost steam with the K's near the end but ended up with 16 or 18. Gave up a solo home run somewhere in the later innings and left after 9IP with a ND, and of course the Cubs lost it in extras.

EDIT - Just looked it up, it was his last start of the year, sept. 30th, so I think the season was all but officially dead at that point.

9.0IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1HR, 1BB, 16K
Sosa had a solo HR
Kearns had the HR against Prior
Javier #$%^&^ Valentin doubled in the winning run.... Adam Dunn (who set the major league strikeout record for season that day)

And a Rusch start where the only offensive support he got was a solo home run... that he hit.

But the season wasnt dead yet. His start and Glendon's start, where they both only gave up one run (maybe none in glendon's?), were the last 2 losses of the Reds series. If they win those, they are tied with the Astros going into the last series. Stoopid Latroy hawkins. I think he blew 9 saves after taking over as closer. Get 4 of those back and they are in the playoffs as the hottest team in the field.

brinoch · July 6, 2007

The Cubs still need a bat; I don't think they have the trading chits for two. Luckily, the Cubs have potential in-house solutions for all three of the needed positions.

How I would improve the team:

1. Rightfield is a glaring need. Floyd has been lackluster at best, and Jones has been terrible. It seems that we have a DeRosa/Floyd platoon for the moment, but it's a stop gap. Murton is still a decent option, though he's not exactly lighting the world on fire in AAA. Still, he's worth a shot. Alternatively, you could try and go after something in the trade market with Murton as a part of the package. I'd try for one of these three guys who might be available: Griffey, Nady and Byrnes. Regardless of what you do, get rid of Jones.

2. Catcher. Why in the world did Hendry trade Barrett? I don't care that the Cubs reeled off a winning streak in the wake of the trade; Hill and Bowen are terrible. Outright Hill to AAA and bring up Soto; there's no way Salty will be had from Atlanta, and he's the only reasonable C that might be available.

3. Shortstop. Go with Cedeno, make Theriot your utility guy and DFA or trade Izturis. At this point in the season, you're only on the hook for $2.3M more for him, there's really no excuse not to simply release him. Trade Izturis to Baltimore for whatever you can get. With Tejada out, they are playing Freddy Bynum and Chris Gomez -- there's a need there for his services.

4. Eyre. Get rid of him as soon as you can. Just find a way to get rid of him. He's eating up a roster spot and is essentially keeping the 'pen at 5 men, rather than 6.

The offense at C and SS has been so bad that it really can't get any worse. There's no risk in giving Soto and Cedeno a shot, and there's plenty of potential reward. For RF, I'd work the phones and try and see what you can get.

Here are the moves I would make, and since we know Lou will want to go to 12 pitchers, I'll keep that in mind:

1. Trade/DFA Izturis.

2. Outright Hill to AAA.

3. Call up Soto.

4. Call up Cedeno.

5. Demote Pagan or Pie to AAA.

6. Remove Dempster from the 15-day DL.

David · July 6, 2007

I was in full believe mode in 2004. Thats was the most talented roster top to bottom i have seen as long as I've followed baseball (maybe skewed a bit by my blue tinted goggles).

Definitely one of the most (if not for sure the most) talented Cubs teams I've seen.

That team should have ripped through the league after the trade deadline

And the most depressing thing looking back at the end of '04 is the starting pitching. Zambrano and Prior were unhitable. Rusch was even pitching out of his mind... but that bullpen :(

I remember listening to a game against the Reds from September '04. Prior was flirting with 20K for the first half, kind of lost steam with the K's near the end but ended up with 16 or 18. Gave up a solo home run somewhere in the later innings and left after 9IP with a ND, and of course the Cubs lost it in extras.

EDIT - Just looked it up, it was his last start of the year, sept. 30th, so I think the season was all but officially dead at that point.

9.0IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 1HR, 1BB, 16K
Sosa had a solo HR
Kearns had the HR against Prior
Javier #$%^&^ Valentin doubled in the winning run.... Adam Dunn (who set the major league strikeout record for season that day)

And a Rusch start where the only offensive support he got was a solo home run... that he hit.
I remember that Prior game. That was the last time in a while that Prior actually pitched like Mark Prior. Ahh, the good ol days... :cry:

Damn you and your cursed arm Mark Prior!

Actually, he looked pretty much like himself in 2005 until the incident with the line drive. :cry:

Balsa · July 6, 2007

I think this is finally the year when I don't have to worry about the Astros Wild and Crazy Second Half Charge TM

Brian · July 6, 2007

yeah I was going to say that, April '05 Prior was awesome, carried a 0.00 ERA for a couple of starts.

Don't look now...

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