Tough Road Ahead for Cubs?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Once again, Bruce has written an excellent article detailing the tough road that lies ahead of the Cubs.

 

Link.

 

I had anticipated the lack of home games, but I think the biggest hurdle is the travel scheduling that will be impacted by the ESPN games and the HOF game. I think the HOF game pisses me off the most.

[Roast]

Our schedule is so jacked up this year. We were done with 1/3 of our home games before the end of may.

[Roast]

Great article.

 

I didnt realize the HOF game was an exhibition. That's stupid. Do they allow both teams to expand their rosters for the game? I would hope so.

[BigSlick]

The sad thing is there is absolutely no way we can wrap up the division before September because we play all of our division rivals like 6 times each in the month.

 

Obviously MLB wants to make sure that teams get some interesting pennant races at the end of the year, but it seems dishonest to just rig the schedule it so it happens no matter what.

[anabiono]

i honestly would be happy with .500 ball...maybe a little over until the all-star break...

 

hopefully everyone stays healthy and then we add that much needed arm

 

oh and rich hill where art thou rich hill?

[Roast]

The sad thing is there is absolutely no way we can wrap up the division before September because we play all of our division rivals like 6 times each in the month.

 

Obviously MLB wants to make sure that teams get some interesting pennant races at the end of the year, but it seems dishonest to just rig the schedule it so it happens no matter what.

 

Our magic number is currently 96...just in case anyone wondered. 8-)

[Jehrico]

Great article.

 

I didnt realize the HOF game was an exhibition. That's stupid. Do they allow both teams to expand their rosters for the game? I would hope so.

I would even if they didn't allow it. What are they going to do, make them forfeit the game? Might be a good chance to test Hill out in front of a major league audience if he shows some improvement back in AAA...

[Yeti]

The sad thing is there is absolutely no way we can wrap up the division before September because we play all of our division rivals like 6 times each in the month.

 

Obviously MLB wants to make sure that teams get some interesting pennant races at the end of the year, but it seems dishonest to just rig the schedule it so it happens no matter what.

 

Our magic number is currently 96...just in case anyone wondered. 8-)

that line of thinking is anything but cool...way too much baseball left to play

[UMFan83]

Yes, teams usually bring up lots of minor leaguers for the HOF game. Someone like Hart will start the game, and the other 8 regulars will play 1 inning. Then the young players come in and play the rest of the game.

[Bruce Miles]

Thanks for the link, Vance.

 

The HOF game is an exhibition, and I suspect you'll see all minor-league pitchers in there. The regular position players might play one inning. Nobody's happy about it, but they got no choice.

[Garwilly]

Our schedule is so jacked up this year. We were done with 1/3 of our home games before the end of may.

 

Isn't the end of May the 1/3 point of the season?

[rawaction]

The sad thing is there is absolutely no way we can wrap up the division before September because we play all of our division rivals like 6 times each in the month.

 

Obviously MLB wants to make sure that teams get some interesting pennant races at the end of the year, but it seems dishonest to just rig the schedule it so it happens no matter what.

 

 

That and there's no way in hell the Cubs win the division by 25+ games, which they would have to do in order to clinch by September.

[Roast]

The sad thing is there is absolutely no way we can wrap up the division before September because we play all of our division rivals like 6 times each in the month.

 

Obviously MLB wants to make sure that teams get some interesting pennant races at the end of the year, but it seems dishonest to just rig the schedule it so it happens no matter what.

 

 

That and there's no way in hell the Cubs win the division by 25+ games, which they would have to do in order to clinch by September.

Well, there's always that.

[Jehrico]

The sad thing is there is absolutely no way we can wrap up the division before September because we play all of our division rivals like 6 times each in the month.

 

Obviously MLB wants to make sure that teams get some interesting pennant races at the end of the year, but it seems dishonest to just rig the schedule it so it happens no matter what.

 

 

That and there's no way in hell the Cubs win the division by 25+ games, which they would have to do in order to clinch by September.

Well, there's always that.

You don't have to clinch though. You can build a big lead, then rest in September and wait for the next team to lose enough to knock themselves out, like the Mets last year.

[rocket]

well, the cubs are doing what they're supposed to be doing. they're dominating the series' that they're supposed to, and treading water against the difficult part of their schedule. if they tread water during this part and stay dominant at home, they should be on their way to 90+ victories. i'm not all that worried about the tough road ahead.

[chuckywang]

There has GOT to be something in the CBA that prohibits that ridiculous schedule. Wow.

[RynoRules]

well, the cubs are doing what they're supposed to be doing. they're dominating the series' that they're supposed to, and treading water against the difficult part of their schedule. if they tread water during this part and stay dominant at home, they should be on their way to 90+ victories. i'm not all that worried about the tough road ahead.

 

This.

 

You don't have to be great against the tough part of your schedule if you beat the tar out of the rest, which the Cubs have done.

 

EDIT: Plus, this isn't the Dusty "Excuses r' Us" Cubs. Lou won't allow them to use their schedule as a crutch.

[davearm2]

Frankly I'd be more concerned about the 14-game stretch that comes right after the ASB than the 30-whatever games leading up to it.

 

The former has no offdays, and all tough opponents (@HOU, @ARI, FLA, @MIL).

 

The latter has several offdays, and a healthy dose of weaker opponents like BAL, CIN, and SF, not to mention @CWS isn't a roadtrip at all.