Last 38 games

[CubsNSkers07]

Looking at the schedule I think it's very possible to do. But it will take some luck. What's everyones thoughts on finishing the season 24-14. IMO that's winning all the series from here out except losing the make up game to St Louis and splitting the 4 game series with St Louis. What's everyone think about finishing with a 88-74 record? Do you think it can be done and that should win the NL Central right?

[daske17]

I think that record will be more than enough to win the central. Whether or not the Cubs are up to the challenge is the thing. I don't think we can assume winning every series, especially with a series against the D-Backs, a hungry Cardinals team and the Reds which somehow own us.

[erik316wttn]

Looking at the schedule I think it's very possible to do. But it will take some luck. What's everyones thoughts on finishing the season 24-14. IMO that's winning all the series from here out except losing the make up game to St Louis and splitting the 4 game series with St Louis. What's everyone think about finishing with a 88-74 record? Do you think it can be done and that should win the NL Central right?

 

88-74 should win this division by several games.

[PrimeTime]

Were going 32-6 the rest of the way

[CubsNSkers07]

I think that record will be more than enough to win the central. Whether or not the Cubs are up to the challenge is the thing. I don't think we can assume winning every series, especially with a series against the D-Backs, a hungry Cardinals team and the Reds which somehow own us.

 

But then again it only takes a week long hot streak and playing well the rest to get up there. If we were to go on a 7 or 8 game win streak some how which we we're close to being on a 5 game streak had we not had a set back vs st louis. Probably could've even won the rain out game if Z was on going against kip wells. If we can manage a long win streak which I think we'll see a 5 game win streak at least somewhere down the line I think we'll be in line for at the least 85 wins.

[jersey cubs fan]

I would take the under on 24 wins, but 88 should win the division with plenty of room to spare.

[SouthSideRyan]

For those scoring at home

 

Cubs

 

@SFG(2)

@AZ(3)

MIL(3)

HOU(3)

LA(4)

@PIT(3)

STL(1)

@HOU(3)

@STL(4)

CIN(3)

PIT(3)

@FLA(3)

@CIN(3)

 

Brewers

 

@AZ(1)

@SF(3)

@CHI(3)

PIT(3)

HOU(3)

@CIN(3)

@PIT(3)

CIN(3)

@HOU(3)

@ATL(4)

STL(3)

SD(4)

 

Cardinals

 

FLA(2)

ATL(3)

@HOU(3)

CIN(3)

PIT(4)

@AZ(3)

@CHI(1)

@CIN(3)

CHI(4)

PHI(3)

HOU(4)

@MIL(3)

@NYM(1)

@PIT(3)

 

I've got us at 86-76, Brewers at 84-78, Cards at 81-81

Edited August 22, 2007 by SouthSideRyan

[UMFan83]

My predictions

 

Cubs

 

@SFG(2) (1-1)

@AZ(3) (1-2)

MIL(3) (2-1)

HOU(3) (2-1)

LA(4) (2-2)

@PIT(3) (2-1)

STL(1) (1-0)

@HOU(3) (1-2)

@STL(4) (2-2)

CIN(3) (2-1)

PIT(3) (1-2)

@FLA(3) (1-2)

@CIN(3) (2-1)

 

20-18 (84-78)

 

Brewers

 

@AZ(1) (0-1)

@SF(3) (1-2)

@CHI(3) (1-2)

PIT(3) (2-1)

HOU(3) (3-0)

@CIN(3) (1-2)

@PIT(3) (1-2)

CIN(3) (2-1)

@HOU(3) (2-1)

@ATL(4) (1-3)

STL(3) (1-2)

SD(4) (2-2)

 

17-19 (82-80)

 

Cardinals

 

FLA(2) (0-2)

ATL(3) (1-2)

@HOU(3) (2-1)

CIN(3) (2-1)

PIT(4) (3-1)

@AZ(3) (1-2)

@CHI(1) (0-1)

@CIN(3) (2-1)

CHI(4) (2-2)

PHI(3) (1-2)

HOU(4) (3-1)

@MIL(3) (2-1)

@NYM(1) (0-1)

@PIT(3) (1-2)

 

20-20 (80-82)

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I did this in another thread and have us finishing 84-78, Brewers 82-80, and Cards 81-81.

[Shilzzz]

Were going 43-6 the rest of the way

 

fixed. ;)

[Mizzou]

Man that series against the Reds at the end of the year scares the crap out of me.

[forbez18]

The Cubs do have a nice finish however. I would much rather have the Cubs playing their schedule then either the Brewers or Cards.

[Brian]

Man that series against the Reds at the end of the year scares the crap out of me.

 

Yeah that has heartbreak written all over it. I really really don't want to have to go in there needing to clinch, either have it done or be out of it.

[daske17]

Man that series against the Reds at the end of the year scares the crap out of me.

 

Yeah that has heartbreak written all over it. I really really don't want to have to go in there needing to clinch, either have it done or be out of it.

 

Shades of Victor Diaz haunting my memory.

[J.R.]

Man that series against the Reds at the end of the year scares the crap out of me.

 

Yeah that has heartbreak written all over it. I really really don't want to have to go in there needing to clinch, either have it done or be out of it.

 

I plan to be at all three of those games. I fully expect the Reds to scar me for life.

[Dr. Cub]

Man that series against the Reds at the end of the year scares the crap out of me.

 

Yeah that has heartbreak written all over it. I really really don't want to have to go in there needing to clinch, either have it done or be out of it.

 

I plan to be at all three of those games. I fully expect the Reds to scar me for life.

 

Don't worry. The Cubs will be out of it by then, you have nothing to worry about.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

12 games combined vs. the Reds and Stros. Argh.

[Mark_R]

I have terrible memories of 2004 and Javier Valentin killing us in extras after Prior struck out 16. That was the end of the Cubs' season.

[anabiono]

Were going 43-6 the rest of the way

 

fixed. ;)

 

my word this post just raised my heart rate!!

 

:P

[Derwood]

A sweep of Milwaukee would really be a nail in their coffin

[moorecg]

Man that series against the Reds at the end of the year scares the crap out of me.

 

Yeah that has heartbreak written all over it. I really really don't want to have to go in there needing to clinch, either have it done or be out of it.

 

Shades of Victor Diaz haunting my memory.

 

please don't say that name.

I will never forget that game.

[Ivy Walls]

A sweep of Milwaukee would really be a nail in their coffin

 

Sweeping the Brewers is not on he radar yet all you sooth sayers.

 

Yes the math does indeed tell you that somewhere over 85 wins probably wins the division, each successive win above that number and the percentage increases since StL has 39 games remaining and 61 wins right now (8-2 in their last 10), they would have to go 27-12 (.692) probably the max of possibility), Cubs now need to go 23-14 (.621, in line with their previous two month stretch but also a big push).

 

Milwaukee has a heart beat but they have emotionally run their table, even with Ben Sheets coming back sometime in the last 15 games that will not be enough.

 

Let us get back to the Cubs taking care of business in SF...sweeping the hapless SF. Here is a team waiting for the Sept call ups. That is the question that is unanswered, those teams the Cubs and other play in September; Houston, Cincinnati, Florida, Pittsburgh they will have their call ups and which will be playing for playing time and which will see a surprising star emerge.

[danonwaveland]

Ivy Walls said:

"Houston, Cincinnati, Florida, Pittsburgh they will have their call ups and which will be playing for playing time and which will see a surprising star emerge."

 

Remember all the times we lost to rookie pitchers during the Dusty days? The excuse was often something like, 'well, we've never seen this kid before.' That's what frightens me about these got-nothing-to-lose teams.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

Ivy Walls said:

"Houston, Cincinnati, Florida, Pittsburgh they will have their call ups and which will be playing for playing time and which will see a surprising star emerge."

 

Remember all the times we lost to rookie pitchers during the Dusty days? The excuse was often something like, 'well, we've never seen this kid before.' That's what frightens me about these got-nothing-to-lose teams.

Yea- in this case was Dusty was correct. I'd assume that in general, free-swinging lineups tend to have more difficulty with pitchers whom they've never faced.

[rawaction]

Looking at the projected rotation the rest of the way. Here are some things I noticed.

 

- Zambrano misses the potentially big 4 game series vs. the Cards.

-Lilly starts the makeup game vs. the Cards, then his next outing is the 2nd game of the 4 game series vs. the same Cardinals.

-Lilly is in line to start a potential Game 163

-Zambrano in line to start game 161, if playoffs clinched, I'd imagine he'd be held off til Game 1 of the NLDS. If needed, in 161, Z probably can't go til at least game 2 of the NLDS, depending on schedule.