NLDS: Gm 1 Cubs (Z!) @ DBacks (Webb), 9:07pm, TBS, WGN Radio

[CuseCubFan69]

“I'm on a team that is in first place,” left fielder Eric Byrnes said. “As far as I'm concerned, all the stat geeks really don't come into play in this situation.”

 

Yeah, Byrnes, Young and Reynolds (and Jackson to a lesser extent) have been adamant about defending themselves against Pythag. It's kind of funny how big a deal something like that has become in the mainstream media.

 

 

I think the only 2 other teams to make the playoffs with a minus in RS/RA were the 84 Royals and Padres a couple of years ago. Those teams won 84 and 83 games respectively. This years Diamondbacks are kind of a oddity. A first in baseball history if you must. Winning 90 and making the playoffs with a losing Pythag. I think that is why the mainstream media is picking up on it.

 

I will say that if "knowing how to win" was such a valuable skill, how come more teams havent done it in history. Also if "knowing how to win" was such a skill how come the 84 Royals and 05 Padres got eliminated from the playoffs rather quickly.

 

I heard on Mike and Mike that the 87 Twins were the only one to have ever won a playoff game. The others were all swept and they said the others but I don't remember who they were.

[Derwood]

“I'm on a team that is in first place,” left fielder Eric Byrnes said. “As far as I'm concerned, all the stat geeks really don't come into play in this situation.”

 

Yeah, Byrnes, Young and Reynolds (and Jackson to a lesser extent) have been adamant about defending themselves against Pythag. It's kind of funny how big a deal something like that has become in the mainstream media.

 

 

I think the only 2 other teams to make the playoffs with a minus in RS/RA were the 84 Royals and Padres a couple of years ago. Those teams won 84 and 83 games respectively. This years Diamondbacks are kind of a oddity. A first in baseball history if you must. Winning 90 and making the playoffs with a losing Pythag. I think that is why the mainstream media is picking up on it.

 

I will say that if "knowing how to win" was such a valuable skill, how come more teams havent done it in history. Also if "knowing how to win" was such a skill how come the 84 Royals and 05 Padres got eliminated from the playoffs rather quickly.

 

I heard on Mike and Mike that the 87 Twins were the only one to have ever won a playoff game. The others were all swept and they said the others but I don't remember who they were.

 

yes, the D-Backs are the 5th team to make the playoffs with a negative run differential, and only the 87 Twins (who won it all) have even won one postseason game

[CubmanPi]

“I'm on a team that is in first place,” left fielder Eric Byrnes said. “As far as I'm concerned, all the stat geeks really don't come into play in this situation.”

 

Yeah, Byrnes, Young and Reynolds (and Jackson to a lesser extent) have been adamant about defending themselves against Pythag. It's kind of funny how big a deal something like that has become in the mainstream media.

 

 

I think the only 2 other teams to make the playoffs with a minus in RS/RA were the 84 Royals and Padres a couple of years ago. Those teams won 84 and 83 games respectively. This years Diamondbacks are kind of a oddity. A first in baseball history if you must. Winning 90 and making the playoffs with a losing Pythag. I think that is why the mainstream media is picking up on it.

 

I will say that if "knowing how to win" was such a valuable skill, how come more teams havent done it in history. Also if "knowing how to win" was such a skill how come the 84 Royals and 05 Padres got eliminated from the playoffs rather quickly.

 

I heard on Mike and Mike that the 87 Twins were the only one to have ever won a playoff game. The others were all swept and they said the others but I don't remember who they were.

 

yes, the D-Backs are the 5th team to make the playoffs with a negative run differential, and only the 87 Twins (who won it all) have even won one postseason game

 

This sounds like exactly the type of thing to be changed at the expense of the Cubs.

[Andy]

My dream the night before last was that Ted Lilly went absolutely ape soap dropper on an umpire in the last game of the season, put him in a headlock, and got himself suspended for the entire postseason. It probably took me a half hour to make sure in my head that this did not actually happen.

 

9 hours and 27 minutes. GO CUBS!

[NewUserName]

“I'm on a team that is in first place,” left fielder Eric Byrnes said. “As far as I'm concerned, all the stat geeks really don't come into play in this situation.”

 

Yeah, Byrnes, Young and Reynolds (and Jackson to a lesser extent) have been adamant about defending themselves against Pythag. It's kind of funny how big a deal something like that has become in the mainstream media.

 

 

I think the only 2 other teams to make the playoffs with a minus in RS/RA were the 84 Royals and Padres a couple of years ago. Those teams won 84 and 83 games respectively. This years Diamondbacks are kind of a oddity. A first in baseball history if you must. Winning 90 and making the playoffs with a losing Pythag. I think that is why the mainstream media is picking up on it.

 

I will say that if "knowing how to win" was such a valuable skill, how come more teams havent done it in history. Also if "knowing how to win" was such a skill how come the 84 Royals and 05 Padres got eliminated from the playoffs rather quickly.

 

I heard on Mike and Mike that the 87 Twins were the only one to have ever won a playoff game. The others were all swept and they said the others but I don't remember who they were.

 

yes, the D-Backs are the 5th team to make the playoffs with a negative run differential, and only the 87 Twins (who won it all) have even won one postseason game

 

 

I was sure wrong. I thought I heard yesterday that only 2 teams had made the playoffs with losing Pythag records. Still not the best way to go about making the playoffs.

 

Also I think the 84 Mets won 90 games with a losing Pythag. I remember reading Bill James Baseball Abstract the next season and he had an article on some of the strange Pythag records that year.

[VanceJergins]

Geez...I can't believe I have to go to stupid class on one of the biggest holidays of the year.

[David]

I think I read, in an article that Silver linked to in his series preview article (from Washington Post, maybe?), that no team has outperformed their pythag to the extent that the D'Backs did since the early 1900's.

[CubmanPi]

I think I read, in an article that Silver linked to in his series preview article (from Washington Post, maybe?), that no team has outperformed their pythag to the extent that the D'Backs did since the early 1900's.

That's such a long time. You would think if it had been so long, it just wouldn't happen ever again.

 

I wonder if there's anything else that hasn't happened since the early 1900's that can be repeated this season... :-k

[CubsBears29]

Just heard "Go Cubs Go" on a local radio station in eastern Iowa.

 

Still almost 9 hours away from game time, but man if that doesn't get the blood pumping and excitement going!!

[David]

I think I read, in an article that Silver linked to in his series preview article (from Washington Post, maybe?), that no team has outperformed their pythag to the extent that the D'Backs did since the early 1900's.

That's such a long time. You would think if it had been so long, it just wouldn't happen ever again.

 

I wonder if there's anything else that hasn't happened since the early 1900's that can be repeated this season... :-k

 

Yea, that's sort of the direction I was trying to lead you to. :)

[CuseCubFan69]

Just heard "Go Cubs Go" on a local radio station in eastern Iowa.

 

Still almost 9 hours away from game time, but man if that doesn't get the blood pumping and excitement going!!

 

The only Go Go around here is sung by Wham.

[erik316wttn]

Z better have his ace stuff tonight, because I don't see us scoring more than 2 off of Webb.

 

If Z can keep us in the game, we have a good chance. If he sucks, then tomorrow is a must win.

[kujay]

Z better have his ace stuff tonight, because I don't see us scoring more than 2 off of Webb.

 

If Z can keep us in the game, we have a good chance. If he sucks, then tomorrow is a must win.

 

Didn't Z almost throw a no-no in Arizona a few years ago? I seem to remember that. Anyone have his career stats there?

 

I have nothing to back this up other than my sincerest hope, but I think he'll do fine tonight. But we will need 3-4 runs to get it done.

[CubsBears29]

Z better have his ace stuff tonight, because I don't see us scoring more than 2 off of Webb.

 

If Z can keep us in the game, we have a good chance. If he sucks, then tomorrow is a must win.

 

First 3 innings should probly tell us all we need to know as to what to expect for the last 6 innings; or at least I hope so.

 

Last thing I want to see is the Cubs get a more-than-1-run lead early, but then end up either going extras to win, or lose late (or in extras). I gotta be up early [for me] and it'll be a real bear trying to get any sleep at all, let alone right after the game, if that above scenario happens.

[C.C.]

Z better have his ace stuff tonight, because I don't see us scoring more than 2 off of Webb.

 

If Z can keep us in the game, we have a good chance. If he sucks, then tomorrow is a must win.

Didn't Z almost throw a no-no in Arizona a few years ago? I seem to remember that. Anyone have his career stats there?

 

I have nothing to back this up other than my sincerest hope, but I think he'll do fine tonight. But we will need 3-4 runs to get it done.

 

Wasn't that in 2003?

[Magnetic Curses]

Z better have his ace stuff tonight, because I don't see us scoring more than 2 off of Webb.

 

If Z can keep us in the game, we have a good chance. If he sucks, then tomorrow is a must win.

Didn't Z almost throw a no-no in Arizona a few years ago? I seem to remember that. Anyone have his career stats there?

 

I have nothing to back this up other than my sincerest hope, but I think he'll do fine tonight. But we will need 3-4 runs to get it done.

 

Wasn't that in 2003?

 

i know he almost threw a no hitter against colorado in 2004.

[C.C.]

Z better have his ace stuff tonight, because I don't see us scoring more than 2 off of Webb.

 

If Z can keep us in the game, we have a good chance. If he sucks, then tomorrow is a must win.

Didn't Z almost throw a no-no in Arizona a few years ago? I seem to remember that. Anyone have his career stats there?

 

I have nothing to back this up other than my sincerest hope, but I think he'll do fine tonight. But we will need 3-4 runs to get it done.

 

Wasn't that in 2003?

 

i know he almost threw a no hitter against colorado in 2004.

 

It was this game...Against Schilling

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200308220.shtml

[CuseCubFan69]

I think TV has to be pretty happy with the 4 games. You have 3 big market teams and 2 of the hottest playing each other. The playoff game Monday really spiked interest in the Phillies/Rockies imo along with the great Phillie comeback to win the division.

[CubmanPi]

I think TV has to be pretty happy with the 4 games. You have 3 big market teams and 2 of the hottest playing each other. The playoff game Monday really spiked interest in the Phillies/Rockies imo along with the great Phillie comeback to win the division.

I count four, unless Anaheim doesn't count.

 

I agree though - game 163 definitely increased my interest in that series, and the field of teams looks like it could make to be a great october.

[E.J.]

I couldn't make it the whole day. I was going nuts at work. I came home and plan on doing some work at home while watching the Phillies and Rockies. Yeah, I don't plan on getting much work done.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think TV has to be pretty happy with the 4 games. You have 3 big market teams and 2 of the hottest playing each other. The playoff game Monday really spiked interest in the Phillies/Rockies imo along with the great Phillie comeback to win the division.

I count four, unless Anaheim doesn't count.

 

I agree though - game 163 definitely increased my interest in that series, and the field of teams looks like it could make to be a great october.

 

I just don't see them having the TV pull as NY, Boston and Chicago do. If it were the Dodgers, maybe, I might be wrong though.

 

It was a heck of a lead in no doubt about that.

[Guest]

Z better have his ace stuff tonight, because I don't see us scoring more than 2 off of Webb.

 

If Z can keep us in the game, we have a good chance. If he sucks, then tomorrow is a must win.

Didn't Z almost throw a no-no in Arizona a few years ago? I seem to remember that. Anyone have his career stats there?

 

I have nothing to back this up other than my sincerest hope, but I think he'll do fine tonight. But we will need 3-4 runs to get it done.

 

Wasn't that in 2003?

 

i know he almost threw a no hitter against colorado in 2004.

 

It was this game...Against Schilling

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200308220.shtml

 

That was the game that the only hit he gave up in 8.2 innings was really an out, he possibly could have had the no-no he deserved if that call was made.

[Guest]

I think TV has to be pretty happy with the 4 games. You have 3 big market teams and 2 of the hottest playing each other. The playoff game Monday really spiked interest in the Phillies/Rockies imo along with the great Phillie comeback to win the division.

I count four, unless Anaheim doesn't count.

 

I agree though - game 163 definitely increased my interest in that series, and the field of teams looks like it could make to be a great october.

 

I just don't see them having the TV pull as NY, Boston and Chicago do. If it were the Dodgers, maybe, I might be wrong though.

 

It was a heck of a lead in no doubt about that.

 

You certainly are wrong - maybe outside of Southern California but in LA, the Angels are really popular. Moreno has done a great job (plus the Angels being much better than the Dodgers this decade) and the Angels have nearly as big a fanbase in the LA area as the Dodgers. The Angels definitely are a big market team and have successfully tapped into Los Angeles, the Inland Empire (2.5 million residents) and obviously Orange County (2 million residents).

[UMFan83]

Z better have his ace stuff tonight, because I don't see us scoring more than 2 off of Webb.

 

If Z can keep us in the game, we have a good chance. If he sucks, then tomorrow is a must win.

Didn't Z almost throw a no-no in Arizona a few years ago? I seem to remember that. Anyone have his career stats there?

 

I have nothing to back this up other than my sincerest hope, but I think he'll do fine tonight. But we will need 3-4 runs to get it done.

 

Wasn't that in 2003?

 

i know he almost threw a no hitter against colorado in 2004.

 

It was this game...Against Schilling

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200308220.shtml

 

That was the game that the only hit he gave up in 8.2 innings was really an out, he possibly could have had the no-no he deserved if that call was made.

 

I was at that game. Shea Hillenbrand should have been out and been the last out of the 8th inning. Z then got the last 3 batters out, preserving what should have been a no hitter.

[Guest]

I think I read, in an article that Silver linked to in his series preview article (from Washington Post, maybe?), that no team has outperformed their pythag to the extent that the D'Backs did since the early 1900's.

 

Here ya go:

 

Washington Post[/url]"]Thing is, Pythagoras is almost never wrong. Before this year, there were only three teams to make the playoffs while being outscored by their opponents -- the 1987 Minnesota Twins, 1997 San Francisco Giants and 2005 Padres. And according to Retrosheet.org, only the 1905 Detroit Tigers outperformed their Pythagorean winning percentage by a greater margin than the Diamondbacks have this year.