Can the Cubs Clinch Before They Reach Cincinnati?

[HoopsCubs]

It sure would be nice for that last series in Cincinnati to be meaningless. In order to do so, however, one of these 4 combinations would need to occur over the next 6 calendar days (Saturday through Thursday)

 

Cubs Brewers

5-0 no better than 3-3

4-1 no better than 2-4

3-2 no better than 1-5

2-3 0-6

 

I'm looking at scenario 2 (Cubs going 4-1). In the next 6, the Brewers face: Smoltz, Reyes, Wainwright, Looper, Pineiro and Cassell. Can you see Milwaukee losing 4 of those 6?

 

 

Hoops

[jjgman21]

It sure would be nice for that last series in Cincinnati to be meaningless. In order to do so, however, one of these 4 combinations would need to occur over the next 6 calendar days (Saturday through Thursday)

 

Cubs Brewers

5-0 no better than 3-3

4-1 no better than 2-4

3-2 no better than 1-5

2-3 0-6

 

I'm looking at scenario 2 (Cubs going 4-1). In the next 6, the Brewers face: Smoltz, Reyes, Wainwright, Looper, Pineiro and Cassell. Can you see Milwaukee losing 4 of those 6?

 

 

Hoops

 

look for Wainwright and Looper to come down with hang nails and Kip Wells and Mike Maroth to get those starts.

[Vanilla Ice]

It sure would be nice for that last series in Cincinnati to be meaningless. In order to do so, however, one of these 4 combinations would need to occur over the next 6 calendar days (Saturday through Thursday)

 

Cubs Brewers

5-0 no better than 3-3

4-1 no better than 2-4

3-2 no better than 1-5

2-3 0-6

 

I'm looking at scenario 2 (Cubs going 4-1). In the next 6, the Brewers face: Smoltz, Reyes, Wainwright, Looper, Pineiro and Cassell. Can you see Milwaukee losing 4 of those 6?

 

 

Hoops

 

I doubt we can clinch the division before we start the series. But my guess is that we will clinch after the first game of the Cincinnati series. That would help tremendously for the playoffs being able to rest Lilly and Zambrano for Game 1s and 2

[rawaction]

It sure would be nice for that last series in Cincinnati to be meaningless. In order to do so, however, one of these 4 combinations would need to occur over the next 6 calendar days (Saturday through Thursday)

 

Cubs Brewers

5-0 no better than 3-3

4-1 no better than 2-4

3-2 no better than 1-5

2-3 0-6

 

I'm looking at scenario 2 (Cubs going 4-1). In the next 6, the Brewers face: Smoltz, Reyes, Wainwright, Looper, Pineiro and Cassell. Can you see Milwaukee losing 4 of those 6?

 

It will happen, but not gonna happen before Cincy. Brewers will go 4-2 over the next 6 days. Cubs will go 4-1.

[VanceJergins]

I'm hoping for the first game in Cincinnati to be the clincher. It may or may not have anything to do with me having tickets to that game.

[erik316wttn]

I have a feeling this race is going to go down to the very last day of the regular season.

[Backtobanks]

I don't know about "offically" clinching it, but I think winning 5 out of 6 from the Pirates and Marlins would just about guarantee it.

[treebird]

i can't see st louis taking any of the games with milwaukee.

[AlwaysaCub]

i can't see st louis taking any of the games with milwaukee.

 

+1

 

Edmonds is done too now. It's basically Pujols and scrubs on that team.

[jjgman21]

i can't see st louis taking any of the games with milwaukee.

 

+1

 

Edmonds is done too now. It's basically Pujols and scrubs on that team.

 

Pujols is done too. that leaves scrubs.

[SouthSideRyan]

i can't see st louis taking any of the games with milwaukee.

 

+1

 

Edmonds is done too now. It's basically Pujols and scrubs on that team.

 

Pujols is done too. that leaves scrubs.

 

Pujols did pinch hit yesterday, there's a chance. Edmonds being out is a good thing. He's bad now. Go scrubby Cardinals!!

[BigSlick]

i can't see st louis taking any of the games with milwaukee.

 

+1

 

Edmonds is done too now. It's basically Pujols and scrubs on that team.

 

Pujols is done too. that leaves scrubs.

 

Scrubby Cardinals won a game and forced another game into extras against the Phillies.

 

Lets go Scrubby Cardinals!

[Omar]

i can't see st louis taking any of the games with milwaukee.

 

+1

 

Edmonds is done too now. It's basically Pujols and scrubs on that team.

 

Pujols is done too. that leaves scrubs.

 

Scrubby Cardinals won a game and forced another game into extras against the Phillies.

 

Lets go Scrubby Cardinals!

 

They'd have a better chance to win if they just threw out the cast of Scrubs.

[CubmanPi]

Between now and the Cubs arriving in Cincy:

 

Cubs play 4 games (1 vs Pitt, 3 @ Fla)

Brewers play 5 games (1 @ Atl, 3 @ StL, 1 vs SD)

 

With the Cubs' magic number being six, that means that Cubs wins plus Brewers losses has to equal six over those nine games.

 

While the Cubs are definitely good enough to take all four of those games, I have a hard time believing that's actually going to happen. I think Gordz beats Z tomorrow, and Cubs will do well to take 2 of 3 from Florida.

 

I also don't believe the Brewers will lose any more than two of their next 5. They may not make up much (or any) ground over that time, but I really don't see the Cubs having it mathematically locked up by Friday. I will predict they clinch on Saturday.

[C.C.]

Between now and the Cubs arriving in Cincy:

 

Cubs play 4 games (1 vs Pitt, 3 @ Fla)

Brewers play 5 games (1 @ Atl, 3 @ StL, 1 vs SD)

 

With the Cubs' magic number being six, that means that Cubs wins plus Brewers losses has to equal six over those nine games.

 

While the Cubs are definitely good enough to take all four of those games, I have a hard time believing that's actually going to happen. I think Gordz beats Z tomorrow, and Cubs will do well to take 2 of 3 from Florida.

 

I also don't believe the Brewers will lose any more than two of their next 5. They may not make up much (or any) ground over that time, but I really don't see the Cubs having it mathematically locked up by Friday. I will predict they clinch on Saturday.

 

That's the key. If the Cubs win tomorrow we could very well make this happen before the Cincy series. I think the Braves have a great chance to win the game tomorrow and Monday the Cards have Wainwright going against Bush. We could gain a ton of ground in a hurry!

[CubmanPi]

Between now and the Cubs arriving in Cincy:

 

Cubs play 4 games (1 vs Pitt, 3 @ Fla)

Brewers play 5 games (1 @ Atl, 3 @ StL, 1 vs SD)

 

With the Cubs' magic number being six, that means that Cubs wins plus Brewers losses has to equal six over those nine games.

 

While the Cubs are definitely good enough to take all four of those games, I have a hard time believing that's actually going to happen. I think Gordz beats Z tomorrow, and Cubs will do well to take 2 of 3 from Florida.

 

I also don't believe the Brewers will lose any more than two of their next 5. They may not make up much (or any) ground over that time, but I really don't see the Cubs having it mathematically locked up by Friday. I will predict they clinch on Saturday.

 

That's the key. If the Cubs win tomorrow we could very well make this happen before the Cincy series. I think the Braves have a great chance to win the game tomorrow and Monday the Cards have Wainwright going against Bush. We could gain a ton of ground in a hurry!

 

Tomorrow isn't just key in terms of numbers in the division race, but it's important in that Z's running out of time to show whether or not he's going to have it together. The Cubs could very well go to the playoffs with Z continuing to be unreliable, but they're screwed once they get there. Tomorrow will show us a lot more than how quickly the Cubs will or won't wrap it up.

[Wilmo]

I have a feeling this race is going to go down to the very last day of the regular season.

 

Please God, don't let this happen!

 

:fingerscrossed: :ohnoes:

[rawaction]

Between now and the Cubs arriving in Cincy:

 

Cubs play 4 games (1 vs Pitt, 3 @ Fla)

Brewers play 5 games (1 @ Atl, 3 @ StL, 1 vs SD)

 

With the Cubs' magic number being six, that means that Cubs wins plus Brewers losses has to equal six over those nine games.

 

While the Cubs are definitely good enough to take all four of those games, I have a hard time believing that's actually going to happen. I think Gordz beats Z tomorrow, and Cubs will do well to take 2 of 3 from Florida.

 

I also don't believe the Brewers will lose any more than two of their next 5. They may not make up much (or any) ground over that time, but I really don't see the Cubs having it mathematically locked up by Friday. I will predict they clinch on Saturday.

 

That's the key. If the Cubs win tomorrow we could very well make this happen before the Cincy series. I think the Braves have a great chance to win the game tomorrow and Monday the Cards have Wainwright going against Bush. We could gain a ton of ground in a hurry!

 

Tomorrow isn't just key in terms of numbers in the division race, but it's important in that Z's running out of time to show whether or not he's going to have it together. The Cubs could very well go to the playoffs with Z continuing to be unreliable, but they're screwed once they get there. Tomorrow will show us a lot more than how quickly the Cubs will or won't wrap it up.

 

Winning tomorrow would do a lot for the Cubs confidence. They've won with Marquis pitching like crap. Won with Hill not having his best stuff. Odds are they aren't scoring 9-13 runs tomorrow. Zambrano shutting down the Pirates has to give the team a feeling of invincibility this late in the season.

 

Last home game. Last chance for the fans to see their team. Ace on the mound. This is a game Z has to win. And yes, I know it sounds cliche.

[Guest]

i can't see st louis taking any of the games with milwaukee.

 

+1

 

Edmonds is done too now. It's basically Pujols and scrubs on that team.

 

Pujols is done too. that leaves scrubs.

 

Scrubby Cardinals won a game and forced another game into extras against the Phillies.

 

Lets go Scrubby Cardinals!

 

They'd have a better chance to win if they just threw out the cast of Scrubs.

 

JD is a Cubs fan in the show. And Janitor played first base for the NL pennant-winning Cubs in Rookie of the Year. They can do it.

[Yestheydo]

I have a feeling this race is going to go down to the very last day of the regular season.

 

And Buck Coats is gonna win it with a pinch-hit granny off Dempster.

 

No. They will clinch in FLA.

[rocket]

i sure as hell hope they clinch in cincinnati. i already feel bad enough that i can't go to any games there, but if they clinch beforehand i'll sleep a lot better at night.

[NCCubFan]

Cubs will win 8-0 tomorrow. It's the home finale, and Z will be up for it to make sure they win the home finale. I do think they'll lose one in Florida.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

I have a feeling this race is going to go down to the very last day of the regular season.

 

And Buck Coats is gonna win it with a pinch-hit granny off Dempster.

 

No. They will clinch in FLA.

 

And with Trachsel on the mound ?

 

Steve Trachsel was to throw a simulated game after Saturday's regularly scheduled game to get him ready for his next start, which will be Thursday against the Florida Marlins.

 

Since the Cubs went to a four-man rotation, Trachsel has been skipped and has not started since Sept. 13, when he went five innings against Houston.

 

Trachsel was to throw about 75-80 pitches Saturday. The Cubs wanted to wait until after the game just in case they needed him to pitch in relief.

 

At least Soto will probably catch him.

 

Matchups for the Florida series:

 

Tuesday - Lilly / Willis
Wednesday - Marquis / Barone
Thursday - Trachsel / Olsen

 

The Thursday game might take 5 hours. The Cubs certainly aren't facing the back of anyone's rotation right now. Willis seems to be putting it together just in time for the season to end. If the Cubs can be patient with Olsen, they will beat him.

[C.C.]

Win today...

 

2/3 in Florida

1/3 in Cincy. They will clinch on Friday and pull their starters for the next two games.

 

Finish the season with 85 wins

[inari]

Win today...

 

2/3 in Florida

1/3 in Cincy. They will clinch on Friday and pull their starters for the next two games.

 

Finish the season with 85 wins

 

86, actually.