2008 Cubs 19-15 and 2009 Cubs 20-14?

[Gmoney08]

How is this possibly when most Cubs fans have made it clear last year was the only chance this century that we had to win the title? This years team sucks and will battle all year for 4th place? Yet, somehow with Bradley/Soto/Dlee struggling, Aramis injured twice, Bradley injured a good stretch, Zambrano injured, and no Kerry Wood or the lord almighty Mark Derosa we somehow have a better record then the alltime great 2008 Cubs?

 

Longstory short this is a pretty talented team this year. Granted I'm still a bit worried about the bullpen but I think our rotation, and lineup is better this year. I know everybody likes yelling about the Cubs but I have a feeling this will be another fun summer. Hopefully they perform in the fall now.

[mcgoobs]

The 2008 team had outscored opponents by 44 runs and were 19-15. The 2009 team has outscored opponents by 15 runs to reach 20-14. This year's team is averaging just a shade over 5 runs a game and is ranked eighth in the league in runs scored. Last year's team was at 5.7 runs per game, the second best in the majors behind Arizona at that time. Just taking a peek at the schedules they look don't look wildly different.

 

I'd like to believe this team is as talented as last year's, but right now it just isn't.

[Gmoney08]

The 2008 team had outscored opponents by 44 runs and were 19-15. The 2009 team has outscored opponents by 15 runs to reach 20-14. This year's team is averaging just a shade over 5 runs a game and is ranked eighth in the league in runs scored. Last year's team was at 5.7 runs per game, the second best in the majors behind Arizona at that time. Just taking a peek at the schedules they look don't look wildly different.

 

I'd like to believe this team is as talented as last year's, but right now it just isn't.

 

We have also had Soto, Bradley, Ramirez, DLee, and Zambrano injured. 4 of those players were in the All Star game last year. Offensively I think we are definitely better then last year, unless Soto continues to struggle all year (which I dont think he will). Starting rotation I think we are definitely better as long as nobody misses significant time. We are just missing a piece in the bullpen.

[Guest]

Offensively I think we are definitely better then last year, unless Soto continues to struggle all year (which I dont think he will). Starting rotation I think we are definitely better as long as nobody misses significant time. We are just missing a piece in the bullpen.

 

Seriously?

 

Here's what I have at this point:

 

2008 Cubs= fun to watch

2009 Cubs= not fun to watch

[hawkeyecub]

Offensively I think we are definitely better then last year, unless Soto continues to struggle all year (which I dont think he will). Starting rotation I think we are definitely better as long as nobody misses significant time. We are just missing a piece in the bullpen.

 

Seriously?

 

Here's what I have at this point:

 

2008 Cubs= fun to watch

2009 Cubs= not fun to watch

 

You also have the benefit of remembering the '08 team as a 97 win team that rolled to a comfortable division title.

At this point last year we were in the midst of a 4-9 stretch. We were 6-0 against the Pirates, 13-15 against everyone else. We lost 2/3 to Washington, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Cincinnati consecutively. Looking back and remembering some of those frustrating series, I don't know that we were that much more fun to watch up to this point.

 

As far as runs scored, there was some boom or bust early on. We scored in double digits 5 times at this point last year for 67 total runs. This year we've scored in double digits 4 times for 43 runs. A couple 13 run games and a 19 run game helped earn that high ranking but consistency was still an issue more early on.

 

Then from May 9 to June 4 we went 19-6.

[Cubfanintheknow]

 

Seriously?

 

Here's what I have at this point:

 

2008 Cubs= fun to watch

2009 Cubs= not fun to watch

 

Because at times we make them not fun to watch. I know I'm guilty of thinking more about two crappy losses to Milwaukee than some decent baseball played before and after those games.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm having a ton of fun watching the Cubs.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Here's 2008 through 34 games............

 

Gm#    Date       Opponent         Score  Starter         Opp Starter
..1  Mon 03/31    Milwaukee         3- 4  Zambrano        Sheets        
..2  Wed 04/02    Milwaukee         2- 8  Lilly           Suppan        
..3  Thu 04/03    Milwaukee         6- 3  Dempster        Bush          
..4  Fri 04/04    Houston           3- 4  Hill            Sampson       
..5  Sat 04/05    Houston           9- 7  Marquis         Oswalt        
..6  Sun 04/06    Houston           3- 2  Zambrano        Backe         
..7  Mon 04/07  @ Pittsburgh       10- 8  Lilly           Gorzelanny    
..8  Wed 04/09  @ Pittsburgh    N   6- 4  Dempster        Duke          
..9  Thu 04/10  @ Pittsburgh    N   7- 3  Hill            Morris        
.10  Fri 04/11  @ Philadelphia  N   3- 5  Zambrano        Myers         
.11  Sat 04/12  @ Philadelphia  N   1- 7  Lilly           Hamels        
.12  Sun 04/13  @ Philadelphia      6- 5  Marquis         Moyer         
.13  Tue 04/15    Cincinnati    N   9- 5  Dempster        Volquez       
.14  Wed 04/16    Cincinnati    N  12- 3  Zambrano        Fogg          
.15  Thu 04/17    Cincinnati        2- 9  Lilly           Harang        
.16  Fri 04/18    Pittsburgh        3- 2  Hill            Snell         
.17  Sat 04/19    Pittsburgh       13- 1  Marquis         Gorzelanny    
.18  Sun 04/20    Pittsburgh       13- 6  Dempster        Duke          
.19  Mon 04/21    New York      N   7- 1  Zambrano        Maine         
.20  Tue 04/22    New York          8- 1  Lilly           Figueroa      
.21  Wed 04/23  @ Colorado      N   7- 6  Hill            Morales       
.22  Thu 04/24  @ Colorado          2- 4  Marquis         Cook          
.23  Fri 04/25  @ Washington    N   3- 5  Dempster        Perez         
.24  Sat 04/26  @ Washington    N   7- 0  Zambrano        Chico         
.25  Sun 04/27  @ Washington        0- 2  Lilly           Lannan        
.26  Tue 04/29    Milwaukee     N   7-10  Marquis         Sheets        
.27  Wed 04/30    Milwaukee     N  19- 5  Dempster        Suppan        
.28  Thu 05/01    Milwaukee         3- 4  Zambrano        Gallardo      
.29  Fri 05/02  @ St. Louis     N   3- 5  Hill            Wainright     
.30  Sat 05/03  @ St. Louis         9- 3  Lilly           Lohse         
.31  Sun 05/04  @ St. Louis     N   3- 5  Marquis         Wellemeyer    
.32  Mon 05/05  @ Cincinnati    N   3- 5  Dempster        Cueto         
.33  Tue 05/06  @ Cincinnati    N   3- 0  Zambrano        Harang        
.34  Wed 05/07  @ Cincinnati        0- 9  Lieber          Volquez     

 

                  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16    Total

CUBS             20  19  29  25  15  22  23  26   8   2   0   2   0   2   2   0      195
Opponents        16  16   9  18  16  27  14  16  14   1   2   0   0   2   0   0      151

 

03/31 - 05/07        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
CUBS              311.7  289  151  136  119  228   37  3.44  6.58  1.07  1.31  3.93
Oppt              309.0  340  195  181  163  239   34  4.75  6.96  0.99  1.63  5.27

 

 

03/31 - 05/07      AB    R    H   2b   3b   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
CUBS             1217  195  340   77    5   34  529  185  163  239  0.279  0.370  0.435  0.804
Oppt             1178  151  289   64    6   37  476  143  119  228  0.245  0.319  0.404  0.723

 

 

..... and here's 2009 through 34 games........

 

Gm#    Date       Opponent         Score  Starter         Opp Starter
..1  Mon 04/06  @ Houston       N   4- 2  Zambrano        Oswalt        
..2  Tue 04/07  @ Houston       N   2- 3  Dempster        Rodriguez     
..3  Wed 04/08  @ Houston       N  11- 6  Lilly           Moehler       
..4  Fri 04/10  @ Milwaukee         3- 4  Harden          Looper        
..5  Sat 04/11  @ Milwaukee     N   6- 5  Zambrano        Bush          
..6  Sun 04/12  @ Milwaukee     N   8- 5  Dempster        Suppan        
..7  Mon 04/13    Colorado          4- 0  Lilly           Jimemez       
..8  Wed 04/15    Colorado          2- 5  Harden          Marquis       
..9  Thu 04/16    St. Louis         4- 7  Marshall        Wainright     
.10  Fri 04/17    St. Louis         8- 7  Zambrano        Walters       
.11  Sat 04/18    St. Louis         7- 5  Dempster        Lohse         
.12  Tue 04/21    Cincinnati    N   7- 2  Harden          Owings        
.13  Wed 04/22    Cincinnati    N   0- 3  Lilly           Cueto         
.14  Thu 04/23    Cincinnati        1- 7  Zambrano        Harang        
.15  Fri 04/24  @ St. Louis     N   3- 4  Dempster        Wainright     
.16  Sat 04/25  @ St. Louis         2- 8  Marshall        Boggs         
.17  Sun 04/26  @ St. Louis        10- 3  Harden          Wellemeyer    
.18  Mon 04/27  @ Arizona       N   2- 7  Lilly           Haren         
.19  Tue 04/28  @ Arizona       N  11- 3  Zambrano        Petit         
.20  Wed 04/29  @ Arizona           0-10  Dempster        Davis         
.21  Thu 04/30    Florida       N   2- 8  Marshall        Volstad       
.22  Fri 05/01    Florida           8- 6  Harden          Taylor        
.23  Sat 05/02    Florida           6- 1  Lilly           Sanchez       
.24  Sun 05/03    Florida           6- 4  Zambrano        Nolasco       
.25  Mon 05/04    San Francisco N   4- 2  Dempster        Sanchez       
.26  Tue 05/05    San Francisco     2- 6  Marshall        Lincecum      
.27  Wed 05/06  @ Houston       N   6- 3  Harden          Hampton       
.28  Thu 05/07  @ Houston       N   8- 5  Lilly           Ortiz         
.29  Fri 05/08  @ Milwaukee     N   2- 3  Wells           Bush          
.30  Sat 05/09  @ Milwaukee     N   6-12  Dempster        Gallardo      
.31  Sun 05/10  @ Milwaukee         4- 2  Marshall        Suppan        
.32  Tue 05/12    San Diego     N   6- 2  Harden          Peavy         
.33  Wed 05/13    San Diego     N   6- 4  Lilly           Young         
.34  Thu 05/14    San Diego        11- 3  Dempster        Gaudin        

 

                  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16    Total

CUBS             25  15  16  20  36  20  12  15  11   0   2   0   0   0   0   0      172
Opponents        20   7  18  22  10  10  30  22  11   7   0   0   0   0   0   0      157

 

04/06 - 05/14        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
CUBS              301.7  277  157  150  140  285   41  4.18  8.50  1.22  1.38  4.48
Oppt              298.7  293  172  159  139  256   43  4.19  7.71  1.30  1.45  4.79

 

 

04/06 - 05/14      AB    R    H   2b   3b   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
CUBS             1150  172  293   57    5   43  489  161  139  256  0.255  0.340  0.425  0.765
Oppt             1128  157  277   59    5   41  469  149  140  285  0.246  0.331  0.416  0.747

[CUBZ99]

I'm having a ton of fun watching the Cubs.

 

Agreed. This year's team has a lot of fight in them. With all of the injuries and the lack of production from Lee, Bradley, Soto, Dempster, Zambrano and the bullpen they have still found a way to win.

 

Favorite aspects of the year so far:

 

Soriano -- even though much maligned when he signed his big contract, has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down. He seems to be like a good wine and continues to get better with age.

 

Theriot -- the guy took a beating over the winter, and has found a way to improve over last year.

 

Harden -- his health issues seem to be fading with each start. One thing is for sure, he is NO Mark Prior. The guy has heart.

 

Fukudome -- to think that Fukudome wasn't even guaranteed a job in CF. Now he has to be one of the best CF in the league both Offensively and defensively.

 

Lilly -- Most thought Hendry overpaid for 4 years, but Lilly has been terrific this year and really seems to be getting comfortable with the Cubs.

 

Marshall -- Lou better not be serious about moving him from the rotation. He is one of the best starters at this point.

 

Scales -- what a story. He is making the Miles signing look worse everyday.

 

Hoffpauir -- Giving DLee a run for his money.

 

Gregg -- another much maligned player is finally starting to show some worth.

[TruffleShuffle]

Harden -- his health issues seem to be fading with each start. One thing is for sure, he is NO Mark Prior. The guy has heart.

 

and a non-torn labrum too.

[Flames24Rulz]

This team isn't that bad.

[javy knows my name]

I'm having a lot of fun this season despite not being able to watch hardly any games. Theriot is seriously outstanding to watch right now and Bradley is about to hit like he is capable.

[SouthSideRyan]

Harden -- his health issues seem to be fading with each start. One thing is for sure, he is NO Mark Prior. The guy has heart.

 

and a non-torn labrum too.

 

And a manager that knows how to handle him.

 

I can't believe this Prior is a [expletive] stuff is still continuing as he comes back too injured to pitch every season.

[jersey cubs fan]

How is this possibly when most Cubs fans have made it clear last year was the only chance this century that we had to win the title? This years team sucks and will battle all year for 4th place?

 

It's possible because what you said is completely untrue and pointless nonsense.

[Garwilly]

A win this afternoon moves the Cubs to the 3rd best record in baseball.

[shnsajax]

List of the week

Teams that have played the five easiest schedules so far, as measured by opponents' winning percentage:

 

 

Team Pct. W L

Los Angeles Dodgers (first 32 games versus NL West, Astros and Nats) .43755 508 653

Boston Red Sox (Angels only opponent better than .500) .45248 519 628

Texas Rangers (2-7 versus teams with winning records) .46703 517 590

Toronto Blue Jays (Orioles only AL East opponent before Tuesday) .47103 561 630

St. Louis Cardinals (13 wins versus teams worse than .500) .47915 540 587

 

 

I'm just saying.

[WTFCUBS]

I believe the 2009 cubs have been more exciting to watch. Last year it was all anticipation for the playoffs and blowouts, but this year its different. More struggle(DL stints), closer games, tighter race(for now anyway) in the central and some fun side stories like Theriot and Scales.

 

 

my $ 0.02

[CUBZ99]

Harden -- his health issues seem to be fading with each start. One thing is for sure, he is NO Mark Prior. The guy has heart.

 

and a non-torn labrum too.

 

And a manager that knows how to handle him.

 

I can't believe this Prior is a [expletive] stuff is still continuing as he comes back too injured to pitch every season.

 

What's not to believe? That rap will be with Prior for the rest of his career (if he has one anymore). I can't believe the blame everyone but Mark Prior stuff is still around.

[Guest]

Here's what I have at this point:

 

2008 Cubs= fun to watch

2009 Cubs= not fun to watch

 

I rest my case. And I posted this before Aaron Miles made a pinch hit appearance in the 9th inning.

[TruffleShuffle]

Harden -- his health issues seem to be fading with each start. One thing is for sure, he is NO Mark Prior. The guy has heart.

 

and a non-torn labrum too.

 

And a manager that knows how to handle him.

 

I can't believe this Prior is a [expletive] stuff is still continuing as he comes back too injured to pitch every season.

 

What's not to believe? That rap will be with Prior for the rest of his career (if he has one anymore). I can't believe the blame everyone but Mark Prior stuff is still around.

 

he was a great pitcher who became ineffective and then unable to pitch because of arm problems. the only person who's really deserving of blame is dusty baker and perhaps the cubs' medical staff for not diagnosing him properly; what should prior be blamed for? tearing his labrum? i'm sure he's sorry that it happened.

[XZero771679666304]

Harden -- his health issues seem to be fading with each start. One thing is for sure, he is NO Mark Prior. The guy has heart.

 

and a non-torn labrum too.

 

And a manager that knows how to handle him.

 

I can't believe this Prior is a [expletive] stuff is still continuing as he comes back too injured to pitch every season.

 

What's not to believe? That rap will be with Prior for the rest of his career (if he has one anymore). I can't believe the blame everyone but Mark Prior stuff is still around.

 

he was a great pitcher who became ineffective and then unable to pitch because of arm problems. the only person who's really deserving of blame is dusty baker and perhaps the cubs' medical staff for not diagnosing him properly; what should prior be blamed for? tearing his labrum? i'm sure he's sorry that it happened.

 

No silly. He is to be blamed for not being John Wayne out there. It's not his jacked up shoulder that keeps him out, it's his lack of intestinal fortitude. He doesn't need to be physically intact, he just needs a bigger set of heuvos.

[bukie]

Here's what I have at this point:

 

2008 Cubs= fun to watch

2009 Cubs= not fun to watch

 

I rest my case. And I posted this before Aaron Miles made a pinch hit appearance in the 9th inning.

And before Soriano's walkoff single, too.

[ScrubMD]

Harden -- his health issues seem to be fading with each start. One thing is for sure, he is NO Mark Prior. The guy has heart.

 

and a non-torn labrum too.

 

And a manager that knows how to handle him.

 

I can't believe this Prior is a [expletive] stuff is still continuing as he comes back too injured to pitch every season.

 

I can't believe he suckered you too. His plan was obviously to have one good season and then pretend to be injured for the rest of his career and collect like 500 large per season for doing NOTHING. Beats the heck out of making 20-25 million per season (and millions more in endorsements) doing what you've trained your whole life to do.

[Coach C]

Look, Prior or no Prior, I'm just glad that it's not the Cubs Drama, and it's someone else's for a change.

[mcgoobs]

The 2008 team had outscored opponents by 44 runs and were 19-15. The 2009 team has outscored opponents by 15 runs to reach 20-14. This year's team is averaging just a shade over 5 runs a game and is ranked eighth in the league in runs scored. Last year's team was at 5.7 runs per game, the second best in the majors behind Arizona at that time. Just taking a peek at the schedules they look don't look wildly different.

 

I'd like to believe this team is as talented as last year's, but right now it just isn't.

 

We have also had Soto, Bradley, Ramirez, DLee, and Zambrano injured. 4 of those players were in the All Star game last year. Offensively I think we are definitely better then last year, unless Soto continues to struggle all year (which I dont think he will). Starting rotation I think we are definitely better as long as nobody misses significant time. We are just missing a piece in the bullpen.

 

Due to injuries, I don't think we should expect that Lee or Ramirez will put up numbers like they did last year. If each of our players performed up to their potential I would agree that this year's team is better offensively than last, but that just isn't the case. Last year's team was the best offensive team in the NL - the next best team scored 56 fewer runs than us - while this year's team is middle of the pack.

 

I do agree that a return of Soto, Bradley, and even Fontenot to form will clearly improve the team's performance. Soto and Bradley are putting up .302/.380/.419 and .263/.349/.447 lines for the month of May respectively, so hopefully a corner has been turned.