Brewers @ Cards 6:05 ESPN - 7/21 Other Games

[CubinNY]

I'm hoping for a sweep in the Cards-Brewers series just because of the WC issue. If all 3 teams were fighting for 1 spot, I'd hope for a split. But all 3 teams could very well be fighting for 2 spots (unless 2 NL East teams keep playing better than the NL central teams and pass them). So if 1 of these teams sweeps, the Cubs will have a more significant lead on getting a playoff spot than if a split happens.

This is what I'm thinking too...I would absolutely love the Cards to make the playoffs over the Brewers. I'm sure the rest of the NL agrees too. That said, I might develop an ulcer if the Cards stay this close to us for the rest of the season.

 

CCP's logic does not take into account the teams in the NY East. Whomever does not win the NL Central will be fighting with at least two other teams for the WC spot. Therefore, the Cubs need as much distance between themselves and the two other teams behind them in their division.

 

If they go on a 14-6 or 13-7 run that takes them to the second week of August, they should have the division wrapped up. Not likely, but a boy can dream.

He did mentioned that...

The NL East Teams don't need to pass them. This is a zero sum game. Teams are going to be playing within their division more now. The only way for the scenario to work out is if the NL East teams split amongst themselves. If the Cubs and the winner of the of the Brewers/Cards consistently win, it won't matter because both teams get in either way.

 

In my opinion, what the Cubs want to have happen is that both the Brewers and the Cardinals tread back to the pack so they are fighting for the WC. If all the teams in the Central tread and the teams in the East don't, that's bad for the Cubs. It's especially bad b/c their September looks horrible.

[Ryne_MacGyver]

The NL East Teams don't need to pass them. This is a zero sum game. Teams are going to be playing within their division more now. The only way for the scenario to work out is if the NL East teams split amongst themselves. If the Cubs and the winner of the of the Brewers/Cards consistently win, it won't matter because both teams get in either way.

 

In my opinion, what the Cubs want to have happen is that both the Brewers and the Cardinals tread back to the pack so they are fighting for the WC. If all the teams in the Central tread and the teams in the East don't, that's bad for the Cubs. It's especially bad b/c their September looks horrible.

I thought that was the whole point. Unless two teams in the east start rocking, two playoff spots go to the central. So if one of the Brewers/Cards gets swept that leaves the Cubs with as much breathing room in the playoff hunt as possible. Would you rather be tied in the division but 5 games up on a playoff spot (Cards sweep Cubs split) or 2 and 3 games up respectively (all split). Since making the playoffs is what really matters, I'll take the first choice.

But who really cares...it's too early to worry about what other teams are doing anyways. I just hope we win every series.

[Andy]

Everyone rants about the Cards pitching every year. If they bothered to learn why a former average/mediocre pitcher improves here. Two words...Dave Duncan. He gives those guys a complete pitch by pitch game plan for every batter, every game. If the pay attention, the excel. He gets them to pitch to the ground ball. If not (see J. Marquis) they fail. When he leaves, we are screwed big time and will have to buy the names like everyone else.

There's "improving" and then there's cutting a run and a half off your career ERA and leading the majors in wins and suddenly becoming an ace after being league average or worse your entire career. I'm talking about Kyle Lohse, BTW. And even though Braden Looper hasn't been spectacular or anything, I'm still waiting for his arm to fall off from the completely ridiculous uptick in innings he's had from any other year in his career prior to 07.

[haubrich91]

I want us to sweep the D'Bags, and the Brewers/Cardinals play 20 inning games and split the series.

[Andy]

BTW, I guess a split would work for me too, but I'm scared to death of what kind of ridiculousness the Cards could perpetrate if they somehow snuck into the playoffs. I'll feel much easier about preferring to face Milwaukee over St. Louis if the Cubs play well at Miller Park next week, but I still lean towards wanting to keep a lucky franchise out of a crapshoot like the playoffs if I can.

[Ryne_MacGyver]

I want us to sweep the D'Bags, and the Brewers/Cardinals play 20 inning games and split the series.

Definitely, no matter who wins the games, I'm hoping Aaron Miles makes at least one pitching appearance.

[CubinNY]

The NL East Teams don't need to pass them. This is a zero sum game. Teams are going to be playing within their division more now. The only way for the scenario to work out is if the NL East teams split amongst themselves. If the Cubs and the winner of the of the Brewers/Cards consistently win, it won't matter because both teams get in either way.

 

In my opinion, what the Cubs want to have happen is that both the Brewers and the Cardinals tread back to the pack so they are fighting for the WC. If all the teams in the Central tread and the teams in the East don't, that's bad for the Cubs. It's especially bad b/c their September looks horrible.

I thought that was the whole point. Unless two teams in the east start rocking, two playoff spots go to the central. So if one of the Brewers/Cards gets swept that leaves the Cubs with as much breathing room in the playoff hunt as possible. Would you rather be tied in the division but 5 games up on a playoff spot (Cards sweep Cubs split) or 2 and 3 games up respectively (all split). Since making the playoffs is what really matters, I'll take the first choice.

But who really cares...it's too early to worry about what other teams are doing anyways. I just hope we win every series.

 

Except it probably will not work that way. Some team has to win a game. When the teams are playing within the division every game is doubly important.

 

Cubs win

1 of Brewers/Cards win

 

NL east treads

 

Cubs, winner of Brewers/Cards in playoffs

 

------------------

 

Cubs win

Brewers and Cards tread

 

A dominant team emerges out of the East (Mets)

 

Cubs in the playoffs

Brewers, Cards, Phillies, Marlins fight for the wildcard

 

------------------

 

Cubs win

Brewers and Cards tread

 

No dominant team emerges out of the East

 

Cubs in the playoffs

Brewers, Mets, Phillies, Marlins, Cards fight for the wildcard and NL East

 

--------------------

 

NL central treads

NL east does not tread

 

at least 6 teams in hunt for division and WC

------

 

The best thing to happen for the Cubs is for them to win and the Brewers/Cardinals split. They have to put as much distance as they can between themselves and the rest of the division before September. To do that they need to win and the two teams behind them need to play .500 baseball. If the Cards or Brewers get hot and two teams emerge from the East, it could get bad for the Cubs.

[Guest]

Milwaukee

 

2B Weeks

SS Hardy

LF Braun

1B Fielder

RF C. Hart

3B Hall

CF Cameron

C Kendall

P McClung

 

St. Louis

 

RF Schumaker

2B Miles

1B Pujols

CF Ankiel

3B Glaus

LF Duncan

C Molina

P Pineiro

SS Izturis

[E.J.]

Brewers get a double from JJ Hardy in the first, but fail to score.

[TysonCBulls423]

And Skip gets a leadoff BB from McClung.

[Derwood]

so what are we cheering for here, stadium collapse?

[rawaction]

Jo-el Pineiro vs. Seth McClung! It don't get no better than this for pennant race baseball.

[Outshined_One]

so what are we cheering for here, stadium collapse?

 

Flash flood.

[UMFan83]

I am actually totally calm watching this game. I can't see myself caring who wins and loses. Either way we gain or lose to one of them.

[E.J.]

2-run double for Glaus. McClung is bad at pitching.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Cameron couldn't have played that any worse unless he was actually tracking a low flying bird instead of the ball.

[TysonCBulls423]

Is St. Louis' centerfield really difficult to see the ball or something?

[E.J.]

Jo-el Pineiro vs. Seth McClung! It don't get no better than this for pennant race baseball.

 

It's like watching a couple high-school kids pitch. Neither one has any right being a starter for a ML baseball team.

[Cubbies622]

Woohoo! Go Cardinals.

[E.J.]

haha. that pitch was awesome. :lol:

[Derwood]

the broadcasting crew is brutal

[Guest]

Seeing as I'm much more scared of the Brewers, I'm pulling for the Cards to win at least three of the four games.

[illiniguy]

To the poster who gives all the credit to Dave Duncan improving these pitchers by teaching them a plan. What happens once they leave and go back to sucking? Does Dave have one of those Rays like on Men in Black?

[RedFlash]

Everybody knows the Cards are going to sweep the Brewers, because logic says they can't.

[CubsBears29]

Anyone else watching the game on FSN Midwest?

 

Did you see the end of that ad for "Cardinals Game LIve" or whatever it is... that "I'm a Cardinals fan and you can't touch me... cause I'm with my nana!".

 

 

If I were a StL fan, I'd kill myself of shame after that. :rotfl: