Division Champions or Wild card: Do you care?

[ChiCubsfan0502]

If we go on to win the division, the Cubs will have captured their 3rd division title in 6 years, not too shabby. However, IMO, does it really matter how you get in?

 

It seems to me that the Division title holds less signifigance because the Wild card gives you the same chance as a Division title does.

 

I, myself, think the Division title holds more signifigance as it is a nice feather in the cap. But if you told me that if the Cubs were guaranteed to win a WS as the wild card, I'd be fine with that. :mrgreen:

Edited August 5, 2008 by ChiCubsfan0502

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Ultimately, if we make a run in the playoffs I don't care how we got there. But...I do care. I want to win the division. We won it last year, and I'd like to start a string of division championships as well as going deep in the playoffs.

[UMFan83]

Given how the season began, I'd like to win the division. But ultimately it doesn't matter one bit.

[cubweiser03]

Yes. HFA

Obviously making the playoffs is more important than not but HFA would be nice.

[Bote McBoteface]

home field advantage, that's the only reason I care

[kjfoster 1553]

If we go on to win the division, the Cubs will have captured their 3rd division title in 6 years, not too shabby. However, IMO, does it really matter how you get in?

 

It seems to me that the Division title holds less signifigance because the Wild card gives you the same chance as a Division title does.

 

I, myself, think the Division title holds more signifigance as it is a nice feather in the cap. But if you told me that if the Cubs were guaranteed to win a WS as the wild card, I'd be fine with that. :mrgreen:

 

Oh, really?

 

If you told me the Cubs were going to finish last in the division, but every team in the NL Central was DQ'd due to some scheduling conflict, and then the Cubs won the WS, I would be very fine with that. :)

[Little Slide Rooter]

All I know is if we hang on, it will be the first time the Cubs have made back to back PO appearences in 100 years. Hopefully, this time we'll get the same end result.

[Soul]

If we win the division, there's a chance we have to face the dastardly Diamondbacks again. I think I'd prefer facing the Phils or Mets.

[Bruno7481]

If we win the division, there's a chance we have to face the dastardly Diamondbacks again. I think I'd prefer facing the Phils or Mets.

 

If you assume the Wild Card will come out of the Central, and assume the Cubs win the division, they would most likely face the West winner.

 

If the Cubs keep up with the best NL record they couldn't play the Wild Card because it would be in their own division, so they would play the team with the next loweest record, probably AZ or LA.

[C.C.]

home field advantage, that's the only reason I care

[kjfoster 1553]

NL Central

Cubs

Brewers

 

NL West

DBacks

Dodgers

 

NL East

Phillies

Mets

Marlins

 

So if Cubs and Brewers get in, we are sure to play the division champ from one of the other divisions. Other than the DBacks, I would be ok with any of those teams.

 

But, if Brewers don't get in and we win the division, we would play the Wild Card? (assuming we have the best record in the NL) Which will be from the NL East?

 

If someone can clear this up for me, I would appreciate it.

[Guest]

NL Central

Cubs

Brewers

 

NL West

DBacks

Dodgers

 

NL East

Phillies

Mets

Marlins

 

So if Cubs and Brewers get in, we are sure to play the division champ from one of the other divisions. Other than the DBacks, I would be ok with any of those teams.

 

But, if Brewers don't get in and we win the division, we would play the Wild Card? (assuming we have the best record in the NL) Which will be from the NL East?

 

If someone can clear this up for me, I would appreciate it.

 

The team with the best record in the league will play the wild card team unless both are from the same division. Then the best team in the league will play the division winner with the worst record. If the season ended today, the Cubs would play the Diamondbacks and the Phillies would get the Brewers.

 

So if the Brewers don't win the WC (and the Cardinals don't) and the Cubs maintain the best record in the NL, the Cubs would just play the WC team.

[CubinNY]

The Cubs shouldn't be afraid of facing anyone. The Division should be the goal. It's the only sure way to get in. The "Wild Card" is just that.

[David]

Home Field Advantage

[YearofDaCubs]

Home Field Advantage

Yup, and with this team that means a lot.

[TheDude]

The Cubs shouldn't be afraid of facing anyone. The Division should be the goal. It's the only sure way to get in. The "Wild Card" is just that.

[NCCubFan]

I care because of the difference between the Cubs' play at home vs. on the road this year. The Cubs could have the second best record in the entire league as the wild card and still not be allowed to have home field advantage for any postseason series.

[David]

I care because of the difference between the Cubs' play at home vs. on the road this year. The Cubs could have the second best record in the entire league as the wild card and still not be allowed to have home field advantage for any postseason series.

 

I don't believe that's accurate any longer, but I could be wrong.

 

I'm pretty sure that was what they changed in regard to the Wild Card a year or two ago.

[David]

Again, I could be wrong.

 

I know they changed something about the playoffs a couple of offseasons ago but I can't figure out what the hell it was.

[David]

Crap I'm thinking of the NBA...

 

Well, Hell, they do need to change that, anyway.

[rawaction]

I'd take my chances of Zambrano and Harden vs. Webb and Haren. By then, Webb will be on his 4th straight 230 IP season. He will have had over 800 innings in the last 3 years, including the playoffs last year. Haren will be on his 3rd straight season of 220 innings. As many innings as Carlos has thrown over the years, he doesn't have as many innings in the last few years as those two. While he did throw 230 with the playoffs in 03, he has only thrown over 220 twice since then. Once in 05 and last year as of the 5th inning of the NLDS.

[Andy]

I want to win the division by as many games as possible and crush all comers in the playoffs, and moreover do it without any obvious instances of luck (like some of the umpiring that went the Sox's way in 2005). I don't want there to be any doubt about how good this team was when they're looked back on.

[CubFanPhilly]

I want to see the Cubs get to 95+ wins. IF the Brewers or Cardinals somehow caught fire and overtook the Cubs, so be it.

 

88-90 wins would be a disappointment - even if that's enough to take the wildcard.

[Birdinal5]

I'd rather the Cardinals just go ahead and win the division, but I'll take a WC berth. 2006 kinda worked out in the end. :wink:

[17 Seconds]

I'm thinking that not having to face Webb/Haren/undefeated Randy Johnson in a short series might be more important than home field advantage. The Diamondbacks and Brewers are the only 2 teams in the NL who match up with us in a short series. If the Cubs win the division I really hope the Dodgers win the West.