The Cubs have the easiest second half schedule in the NL.

[Cubsown2007]

According to Buster Olney.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2933981&name=olney_buster&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d2933981%26name%3dolney_buster

 

We looked at the strength of schedule for the second half in the AL on Wednesday. Today, the NL. The teams are ranked from the easiest schedule to the toughest:

 

1. Chicago Cubs

Home games: 41 of 75

Games against teams at .500 or better: 24

Biggest hurdle: The Cubs have a stretch of tough games in August, but keep this in mind -- they do not currently have a game scheduled against a team with a record of .500 or better after Sept. 6.

Big Finish: Six straight road games, at Florida and Cincinnati.

 

2. Milwaukee Brewers

Home games: 38 of 74 games remaining

Games against teams at .500 or better: 24

Biggest hurdle: The Brewers begin a three-series, nine-game road trip on Aug. 20

Big Finish: Three home games against the defending champion Cardinals and four at home against the Padres.

 

 

But look who's second. :(

[CyHawk_Cub]

Too bad the Cubs haven't been impressive at home this season...though they did play well @ Wrigley during the last home stand. I'm hoping the offense can come around; it's always best to bury an also-ran team early. Our lack of offensive punch allows teams to hang around in games way too much...

[Backtobanks]

According to Buster Olney.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2933981&name=olney_buster&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fespn%2fblog%2findex%3fentryID%3d2933981%26name%3dolney_buster

 

We looked at the strength of schedule for the second half in the AL on Wednesday. Today, the NL. The teams are ranked from the easiest schedule to the toughest:

 

1. Chicago Cubs

Home games: 41 of 75

Games against teams at .500 or better: 24

Biggest hurdle: The Cubs have a stretch of tough games in August, but keep this in mind -- they do not currently have a game scheduled against a team with a record of .500 or better after Sept. 6.

Big Finish: Six straight road games, at Florida and Cincinnati.

 

2. Milwaukee Brewers

Home games: 38 of 74 games remaining

Games against teams at .500 or better: 24

Biggest hurdle: The Brewers begin a three-series, nine-game road trip on Aug. 20

Big Finish: Three home games against the defending champion Cardinals and four at home against the Padres.

 

 

But look who's second. :(

 

Just our luck, we'll be playing lousy teams with left-handed call-ups pitching and we'll play .400 baseball.

[TheDude]

I like that Brewers finish. If it comes down to the wire, the Brewers have to play a pre-playoff series against the Padres.

[Soul]

Nice. If we could stay within a game of the Crew, our last 6 games match up very, very well to what the Brewers will have to do.

[Balsa]

I'm glad the Brewers have less home games.

 

They have been pretty terrible on the road this year.

[A New Era]

Nice. If we could stay within a game of the Crew, our last 6 games match up very, very well to what the Brewers will have to do.

 

I have higher aspirations. We've gone from 8.5 back to 4.5 back in less than 2 weeks. We could have been 3.5 if we simply won 2 out of 3 in Pit. I expect the cubs to be 4 or 5 games above the Brewers by the time the end of September hits.

[inari]

Nice. If we could stay within a game of the Crew, our last 6 games match up very, very well to what the Brewers will have to do.

 

I have higher aspirations. We've gone from 8.5 back to 4.5 back in less than 2 weeks. We could have been 3.5 if we simply won 2 out of 3 in Pit. I expect the cubs to be 4 or 5 games above the Brewers by the time the end of September hits.

 

You're gonna be really let down then.

[CubmanPi]

Nice. If we could stay within a game of the Crew, our last 6 games match up very, very well to what the Brewers will have to do.

 

I have higher aspirations. We've gone from 8.5 back to 4.5 back in less than 2 weeks. We could have been 3.5 if we simply won 2 out of 3 in Pit. I expect the cubs to be 4 or 5 games above the Brewers by the time the end of September hits.

 

You're gonna be really let down then.

Definitely. You're right the Cubs should have been able to take 2 of 3 and get within 3.5, but the Brewers also definitely should have been able to take 2 of 3 against Washington and make it 5.5. They're a solid team that won't be slowing down, and the Cubs have been playing over their heads at a pace that won't last without a couple roster changes more significant that the Soto/Pie move.

[danonwaveland]

I'm hoping that Brewers - Padres series is a showdown for the wild card.

[Outshined_One]

I'm hoping that Brewers - Padres series is a showdown for the wild card.

 

I'll second this.

[Guest]

I'm hoping that Brewers - Padres series is a showdown for the wild card.

 

I'll second this.

 

Well then, go Padres. I want to see a Cub playoff game!!

[B]

I'm hoping that Brewers - Padres series is a showdown for the wild card.

 

I'll second this.

 

Well then, go Padres. I want to see a Cub playoff game!!

 

You must want to see them lose it too.

[soccer10k]

I'm hoping that Brewers - Padres series is a showdown for the wild card.

 

I'll second this.

 

Well then, go Padres. I want to see a Cub playoff game!!

 

If the Padres are fighting for the wildcard it would be 50/50 that the Dodgers win the division and, if the Cubs make the playoffs, they would face them.

[Cubsown2007]

I'm hoping that Brewers - Padres series is a showdown for the wild card.

 

I'll second this.

 

Well then, go Padres. I want to see a Cub playoff game!!

 

You must want to see them lose it too.

 

You must be joking.

 

Does this team have enough to get into the playoffs? It remains to be seen.

 

Does it have a good enough roster to compete with ANYONE in the playoffs? Absolutely. Especially in a 5 game series. The combo of decent 1-3 pitching and an explosive offense means IF we can get into the playoffs, they can do some damage.