If we get to the playoffs..

[Rusch33]

can we take the Diamondbacks?

 

Are we good enough to beat the Diamondbacks?

 

Remember.. I said IF.

[rocket]

the cubs can beat any team in a 5 or 7 game series.

[Mephistopheles]

the diamondbacks arent any better than the cubs

[NCCubFan]

Remember.. I said IF.

Actually, the appropriate word is WHEN. :D

[CubmanPi]

In the event of a playoff appearance, I'm just glad the Cubs won't have to play the Reds or the Pirates. I think they have a good, legitimate chance against the other teams in the NL, though the other likely playoff contenders will all be tough. I was secretly hoping for the Braves to get in again.

[Outshined_One]

Don't the Diamondbacks own the Cubs historically? I know the Cubs are 2-4 against them this season...

[circlecitycub]

The Padres scare me. I like their chances against any other club.

[da bears]

maybe its me, but i still dont understand why the diamondbacks are good.

[CubmanPi]

maybe its me, but i still dont understand why the diamondbacks are good.

I don't get it either. Unfortunately, the DBacks don't understand why the Cubs have a shot at the post-season.

 

Also, your avatar is awesome.

[XZero771679666304]

FWIW, the DBacks are the last team I want the Cubs facing in the playoffs.

 

I know they aren't that good, and there is no quantifiable reason to feel that way, but Arizona just has our number.

 

Unfortunately, so do the Padres.

 

If the Cubs get in, it seems likely they would have to face one or the other at some point.

[Outshined_One]

maybe its me, but i still dont understand why the diamondbacks are good.

 

THT did an article awhile ago that analyzed their run differential. Essentially, their pitching staff is the definition of day and night. Their good pitchers are really good and their bad pitchers are really bad.

[CubmanPi]

maybe its me, but i still dont understand why the diamondbacks are good.

 

THT did an article awhile ago that analyzed their run differential. Essentially, their pitching staff is the definition of day and night. Their good pitchers are really good and their bad pitchers are really bad.

 

So they have Brandon Webb, they're in the NL West, and they have really bad pitchers at the back of their rotation (or in their bullpen?). If there were ever a recipe for success against the Cubs, that would be it - I'm really surprised neither series against was a DBags sweep.

[Schwarber Fan]

I fear the Mets the most... they'd run us right out of the playoffs...

[Backtobanks]

Once the playoffs start everything is out the window. All you need is one or two guys to get hot at the right time and they can carry you through a short series. Look at how many time the "hero" in the playoff series or WS was some obscure player that nobody in their right mind would pick as the "hero".

[NCCubFan]

I was secretly hoping for the Braves to get in again.

I was too. I live close enough to Atlanta that I might have been able to get to one of the games if they played in Atlanta during the weekend.

[rawaction]

The Cubs can beat Arizona. I don't like their chances vs. the Mets. The Cubs non-Zambrano pitchers don't hold runners on well. Kendall doesn't throw well. The Mets steal tons of bases. Their pitching doesn't scare, but it's really not a good matchup for the Cubs.

 

IF the Cubs make the playoffs, they will play Arizona if San Diego or LA wins the wildcard, and the Mets if the Phillies win the WC. Essentially, the Mets and Dbacks are gonna be division winners with the 2 best records in the league. SD doesn't face Ari again, the Dodgers have 5 more (including this weekend), but are 4.5 games behind and would likely have to win all 5 to have a realistic shot at the division.

 

The only thing left to determine in the playoff picture is if the Cubs and Padres can hold off teams they don't see head-to-head.

[Fro]

IF we go into the playoffs hot, we can beat anyone.

[NCCubFan]

The Cubs have now won 4 in a row, on the road no less. They could be starting another run like they had in June/July. It's certainly not definite yet, but they could win the division quite comfortably. I'd like to see them clinch it before the final weekend so they can rest key players and have the rotation set up for the playoffs. Anything can happen once they make the playoffs.

[Brian]

To be honest looking at how the cubs have done historically, none of the other playoff teams look like teams I'd want the Cubs to face. But Let's get there and see.

 

 

This team has the potential to slug and pitch with the best out there. It's just a matter of putting it all together.

[Guest]

It'd be superb if LA or SD win the the NL West (and the Phillies get the WC).