The Colorado Rockies win the National League

[XZero771679666304]

 

I can't believe people are still so willing to lie to themselves about what the 2007 Cubs were. The 2007 Cubs were prone to looking exactly like the team that got swept in the LDS this year, they did that very same thing on numerous occasions.

 

That was the real Cubs.

 

Yes, and that's why the Cubs were so heavily favored by nearly everyone to beat the DBacks.

 

The Cubs were not a great team, and were prone fits of ineptitude. But they were also clearly the better team, in nearly every quantifiable category. They played very well down the stretch (with the exception of the Florida series, in which they actually may have been better than the LDS), and hit a ton in September.

 

In retrospect, what happened in the LDS was "Cub-like", and typical. But no one can honestly say they saw it coming. I wasn't confident about the sweep or 3-1 series that a lot of the experts were predicting, and wouldn't have been surprised if they lost.

 

But what the Cubs did was to lay an enormous egg, pure and simple. They played as bad as they had in April/May, perhaps worse. Everything we bitched about the Cubs doing poorly at one point or another, they did all at once. It was really an incredible display, even by Cubs standards.

 

Now it would be easier to believe that those were the "real Cubs", and that I should have expected it. But I really wasn't expecting much at all, not against a team that always seemed to have a knack for bringing out the worst in the Cubs.

 

But what happened was far worse than any reasonable person would have expected.

 

Again, if I were willing to lie to myself, I would go with your theory. It would be much easier to digest.

[Guest]

but can any cub fan here really, honestly say that if "the real chicago cubs" showed up in the playoffs...that they wouldn't have a chance?

 

Those were the real Chicago Cubs.

 

No, those weren't.

 

No kidding. The Cubs sure aren't the '27 Yanks, but what they showed in the LDS was pitiful, and certainly not what they had been for most of the season.

 

Arizona was exposed by Colorado the same way they should have been exposed by the Cubs.

 

It would make me feel much better if I could believe that Arizona was the better team and the Cubs were simply beaten, but I would be lying to myself.

 

I can't believe people are still so willing to lie to themselves about what the 2007 Cubs were. The 2007 Cubs were prone to looking exactly like the team that got swept in the LDS this year, they did that very same thing on numerous occasions.

 

That was the real Cubs.

 

Yeah, you're right. The real Cubs only averaged 2 runs per game this year and gave up an average of 5.3 runs per game. What's that you say? They averaged 4.6 runs per game and gave up 4.26 runs per game? Well by golly they sure didn't do that in the postseason. And I don't know about you but I'm much more willing to believe 162 games than 3 games.

 

Additionally, if those were the real Cubs as you are insisting, then I suppose if I looked up their regular season stats that I should expect to see that Derrek Lee has an OPS of .718, Matt Murton has an OPS of .500, Cliff Floyd has an OPS of .375, Alfonso Soriano has an OPS of .343 and Aramis Ramirez has an OPS of .077. And I also bet that Ted Lilly had a ERA of 16.20 this season, Marmol an ERA of 9 and Rich Hill an ERA of 9. Oh wait, I won't see that because those guys performed significantly better than that over 162 games.

[Soul]

but can any cub fan here really, honestly say that if "the real chicago cubs" showed up in the playoffs...that they wouldn't have a chance?

 

Those were the real Chicago Cubs.

 

No, those weren't.

 

No kidding. The Cubs sure aren't the '27 Yanks, but what they showed in the LDS was pitiful, and certainly not what they had been for most of the season.

 

Arizona was exposed by Colorado the same way they should have been exposed by the Cubs.

 

It would make me feel much better if I could believe that Arizona was the better team and the Cubs were simply beaten, but I would be lying to myself.

 

I can't believe people are still so willing to lie to themselves about what the 2007 Cubs were. The 2007 Cubs were prone to looking exactly like the team that got swept in the LDS this year, they did that very same thing on numerous occasions.

 

That was the real Cubs.

 

Yeah, you're right. The real Cubs only averaged 2 runs per game this year and gave up an average of 5.3 runs per game. What's that you say? They averaged 4.6 runs per game and gave up 4.26 runs per game? Well by golly they sure didn't do that in the postseason. And I don't know about you but I'm much more willing to believe 162 games than 3 games.

 

Additionally, if those were the real Cubs as you are insisting, then I suppose if I looked up their regular season stats that I should expect to see that Derrek Lee has an OPS of .718, Matt Murton has an OPS of .500, Cliff Floyd has an OPS of .375, Alfonso Soriano has an OPS of .343 and Aramis Ramirez has an OPS of .077. And I also bet that Ted Lilly had a ERA of 16.20 this season, Marmol an ERA of 9 and Rich Hill an ERA of 9. Oh wait, I won't see that because those guys performed significantly better than that over 162 games.

 

Yeah, but I think the point is we saw these stretches where the Cubs would hit nothing. It wasn't something we didn't see. It happened quite a bit with our hitters. Then they'd come back another time and slaughter the ball and the overall numbers looked better.

 

As for the pitching. OK -- especially Lilly. I didn't see that one coming, not against the DBacks. I'll give you that.

[Guest]

but can any cub fan here really, honestly say that if "the real chicago cubs" showed up in the playoffs...that they wouldn't have a chance?

 

Those were the real Chicago Cubs.

 

No, those weren't.

 

No kidding. The Cubs sure aren't the '27 Yanks, but what they showed in the LDS was pitiful, and certainly not what they had been for most of the season.

 

Arizona was exposed by Colorado the same way they should have been exposed by the Cubs.

 

It would make me feel much better if I could believe that Arizona was the better team and the Cubs were simply beaten, but I would be lying to myself.

 

I can't believe people are still so willing to lie to themselves about what the 2007 Cubs were. The 2007 Cubs were prone to looking exactly like the team that got swept in the LDS this year, they did that very same thing on numerous occasions.

 

That was the real Cubs.

 

Yeah, you're right. The real Cubs only averaged 2 runs per game this year and gave up an average of 5.3 runs per game. What's that you say? They averaged 4.6 runs per game and gave up 4.26 runs per game? Well by golly they sure didn't do that in the postseason. And I don't know about you but I'm much more willing to believe 162 games than 3 games.

 

Additionally, if those were the real Cubs as you are insisting, then I suppose if I looked up their regular season stats that I should expect to see that Derrek Lee has an OPS of .718, Matt Murton has an OPS of .500, Cliff Floyd has an OPS of .375, Alfonso Soriano has an OPS of .343 and Aramis Ramirez has an OPS of .077. And I also bet that Ted Lilly had a ERA of 16.20 this season, Marmol an ERA of 9 and Rich Hill an ERA of 9. Oh wait, I won't see that because those guys performed significantly better than that over 162 games.

 

Yeah, but I think the point is we saw these stretches where the Cubs would hit nothing. It wasn't something we didn't see. It happened quite a bit with our hitters. Then they'd come back another time and slaughter the ball and the overall numbers looked better.

 

As for the pitching. OK -- especially Lilly. I didn't see that one coming, not against the DBacks. I'll give you that.

 

Just about every team is prone to having stretches where the can't hit anything. That's not only a Cubs problem.

[Soul]

Yeah, but I think the point is we saw these stretches where the Cubs would hit nothing. It wasn't something we didn't see. It happened quite a bit with our hitters. Then they'd come back another time and slaughter the ball and the overall numbers looked better.

 

As for the pitching. OK -- especially Lilly. I didn't see that one coming, not against the DBacks. I'll give you that.

 

Just about every team is prone to having stretches where the can't hit anything. That's not only a Cubs problem.

 

I knew you would say that 8-)

 

Surely the Cubs were more feast or famine than many other clubs. It sure felt that way to me -- I know that's terribly scientific.

[Guest]

Yeah, but I think the point is we saw these stretches where the Cubs would hit nothing. It wasn't something we didn't see. It happened quite a bit with our hitters. Then they'd come back another time and slaughter the ball and the overall numbers looked better.

 

As for the pitching. OK -- especially Lilly. I didn't see that one coming, not against the DBacks. I'll give you that.

 

Just about every team is prone to having stretches where the can't hit anything. That's not only a Cubs problem.

 

I knew you would say that 8-)

 

Surely the Cubs were more feast or famine than many other clubs. It sure felt that way to me -- I know that's terribly scientific.

 

Don't get me wrong, the Cubs definitely need to improve the offense - and much more so than the pitching - but they weren't one of the worst in the league (which is how they played in the postseason). They were an average offensive team which was hurt by some injuries.

[cubweiser03]

The Dbax talent for success:

1. Brandon Webb

2. Big fly's (HRs)

3. Bullpen 7/8/9 locks it down thus shortening the game.

 

#1 doesnt come through hope for #2 and #3. #1 and #2 dont happen #3 is insignificant. 4 games against the Rockies and in only 1 was the bullpen anything of an advanatage and they lost that because they couldnt be consistant enough at one time or get the big fly to save their ass. Unfortunately all 3 games against the Cubs all 2-3 played a big role.

 

No way will I ever say the Dbax are a better team, the Cubs have much more ways to beat you.

 

Oh and i can't believe how freaking hot the Rockies are. They arent just barely winning every game the run differential is huge and impressive.

[Soul]

The Rockies are on one of the all time hot streaks. It's the one thing that was fun to watch in the NL for me.

 

I just knew they'd kick the DBags in the teeth and they would never recover. That's exactly what happened, too.

[NoDak]

While I do not have a problem with the Rockies winning in particular (I live on the ragged edge where Rockies country meets Twinland), I think this is a prime example of why I do not like the Wild-card. The Rockies are not the best team in the League if they do not win their DIVISION. They got hot at the right time.

 

That being said, "Go Rockies. Yay Helton."

[CubColtPacer]

While I do not have a problem with the Rockies winning in particular (I live on the ragged edge where Rockies country meets Twinland), I think this is a prime example of why I do not like the Wild-card. The Rockies are not the best team in the League if they do not win their DIVISION. They got hot at the right time.

 

That being said, "Go Rockies. Yay Helton."

 

Why have playoffs at all then? Just put all the teams into one league, play 162 games, and whoever comes out on top is the winner.

 

The WS winner is not automatically the best team. They are the most deserving team, and that is a big difference. The best teams go down all the time to clubs that get hot at the right time, but that's the fun of playoff baseball.

[CubinNY]

The Dbax talent for success:

1. Brandon Webb

2. Big fly's (HRs)

3. Bullpen 7/8/9 locks it down thus shortening the game.

 

#1 doesnt come through hope for #2 and #3. #1 and #2 dont happen #3 is insignificant. 4 games against the Rockies and in only 1 was the bullpen anything of an advanatage and they lost that because they couldnt be consistant enough at one time or get the big fly to save their ass. Unfortunately all 3 games against the Cubs all 2-3 played a big role.

 

No way will I ever say the Dbax are a better team, the Cubs have much more ways to beat you.

 

Oh and i can't believe how freaking hot the Rockies are. They arent just barely winning every game the run differential is huge and impressive.

That and throwing a hitter batting his weight first ptich fastballs when that is all he's been able to hit the entire season.

 

Those were the real Cubs. They were/are a medicore team in a terrible division. Hack, hack, and hack some more. We've been talking about for as long as I've been posting on this board.

 

It's like they didn't bother scouting at all. They were too patient with Webb and too hack happy with everyone else. Arizona lived on the outside corner.

 

Then they throw fastballs to Chis F Young and make him look like Willy Mays when he's closer to Willy Tavaraz.

 

I'm still bitter.

Edited October 18, 2007 by CubinNY

[Roast]

Might as well back a truck up to Matt Holliday's home, full of money and naked women.

 

Hahahaha, sigworthy.

[Mizzou]

The Dbax talent for success:

1. Brandon Webb

2. Big fly's (HRs)

3. Bullpen 7/8/9 locks it down thus shortening the game.

 

#1 doesnt come through hope for #2 and #3. #1 and #2 dont happen #3 is insignificant. 4 games against the Rockies and in only 1 was the bullpen anything of an advanatage and they lost that because they couldnt be consistant enough at one time or get the big fly to save their ass. Unfortunately all 3 games against the Cubs all 2-3 played a big role.

 

No way will I ever say the Dbax are a better team, the Cubs have much more ways to beat you.

 

Oh and i can't believe how freaking hot the Rockies are. They arent just barely winning every game the run differential is huge and impressive.

That and throwing a hitter batting his weight first ptich fastballs when that is all he's been able to hit the entire season.

 

Those were the real Cubs. They were/are a medicore team in a terrible division. Hack, hack, and hack some more. We've been talking about for as long as I've been posting on this board.

 

It's like they didn't bother scouting at all. They were too patient with Webb and too hack happy with everyone else. Arizona lived on the outside corner.

 

Then they throw fastballs to Chis F Young and make him look like Willy Maze when he's closer to Willy Tavaraz.

 

I'm still bitter.

Seriously?

[hardcorecubfan]

change of subject slightly.

 

A rule clarification: Can the Rockies, do to their long layoff, scrimmage college teams, semi-pro teams, call up 15 of their minor leaguers or bring in all 40 man roster in order to stay somewhat fresh?

 

or must they just play inter-squad

[BCVM22]

A rule clarification: Can the Rockies, do to their long layoff, scrimmage college teams, semi-pro teams, call up 15 of their minor leaguers or bring in all 40 man roster in order to stay somewhat fresh?

 

I don't know the precise answer to this, but I do recall reading that in a 4-inning simulated game the Rockies played last week, Clint Hurdle saw some time in left field and Vinny Castilla, who isn't on the 40-man or the coaching staff, played third base, which gives some idea of whatever restrictions there are.

[hardcorecubfan]

A rule clarification: Can the Rockies, do to their long layoff, scrimmage college teams, semi-pro teams, call up 15 of their minor leaguers or bring in all 40 man roster in order to stay somewhat fresh?

 

I don't know the precise answer to this, but I do recall reading that in a 4-inning simulated game the Rockies played last week, Clint Hurdle saw some time in left field and Vinny Castilla, who isn't on the 40-man or the coaching staff, played third base, which gives some idea of whatever restrictions there are.

 

Thanks, vinny the original Rocky