June 29th, 2007

[Ihatepujols]

Going into the series with the Brewers on June 29th, 2007 we were 7.5 games out of first place. (Granted we were in 2nd in the Central) This was the game that A-Ram hit the walk-off making it our 7th straight win. Today is June 17th and we are only 4 games out. This season has been rough and the Cubs have not been playing very exciting baseball. However there is still a chance that these guys can turn it around and get back to winning. Im really trying my hardest to stay optimistic, thinking about this helped me a little bit.

[haubrich91]

Well of course there's hope. The 2007 Cubs were very different from the 2009 Cubs though.

[BCVM22]

I agree with the point you're trying to make here. That [work]week in the 2007 season, that started on Monday with the game against the Rockies in which Howry and Eyre gave up what was a fairly comfortable lead and then the Cubs pulled off a nailbiting comeback against Fuentes in the 9th, and ended on Friday with the Ramirez miracle you mentioned, was the point at which the 2007 team caught fire and pushed beyond middling around at .500 and they went on to win, I think, 17 of 18 of their next 25 after that.

 

The problem is that the 2007 team had all the pieces and for the most part, those pieces were performing as expected - "expected" was simply below the Brewers at the time (who were, to be fair, playing out of their minds). This year, you've got nearly the entire lineup hitting below .250 and the team's most productive hitter is missing for probably another 3 weeks at least. I don't think one thrilling, exhilarating game can change that and set off every needed fire at once.

[UMFan83]

The thing that bothers me is that there was no one phase of the game that was even remotely as awful as the Cubs offense right now. In 2007 we had issues everywhere but other than mental errors there was nothing glaringly wrong. On the positive side, if the Cubs can in fact correct their offense they are in a much better spot than the 07 team.

[Ihatepujols]

The starting pitching has been so good. I four offense can get going. We have the guys who are cabable of getting hot. hopefully its just a matter of time.

[Little Slide Rooter]

If we were trotting out Neifi Perez, Jose Macias, and Michael Barrett everyday, Id say to hell with it, but were not. We have the talent. Granted, DeRosa hurt more than we thought, but this team is still capable of knocking in 5 runs a game on a bad day. Our starting pitching is better than its ever been, and the bulpen is falling into place. The offense should be producing. I just hope its not to late when they start.

[dew1679666265]

Here are the current and career OPS' of some of our most important players and their OPS last year.

 

Bradley: .822 career - .718 current - .999 last year

 

Soriano: .842 career - .749 current - .876 last year

 

Lee: .862 career - .804 current - .823 last year

 

That's two players performing well below their career averages and well playing somewhat below his. Is there any certainty that all three of them will match their career numbers? Of course not, but the likelihood is that they'll climb closer to their career numbers as the season progresses. Even taking injuries and age decline into account, Bradley and Soriano aren't likely to end the year 100+ points of OPS below their career averages - especially when they surpassed them last year.

 

As for the others, Soto and Fontenot have both shown better ability previously than they have this year. Soto may not OPS .868 like he did last year and Fontenot may not OPS .909 again, but neither is likely to finish at .650 and .719 respectively, either. Improvement is likely here.

 

Fukudome is a unique case, as he struggled mightily last year. His numbers are better this year - despite his funk - and his peripherals are better this year than last year. His LD% is up four to 22% this year and his K:BB ratio is slightly better than last year.

 

With all of that, plus an expected return of Aramis (though, granted, how much he'll be hampered by injury is unknown), the offense is bound to get better. Considering we're only 4 games back and hovering around .500 with nearly everyone struggling, our chances of taking the lead in the division, reaching the playoffs and being one of 8 teams vying for the World Series are pretty good.

[Ihatepujols]

Here are the current and career OPS' of some of our most important players and their OPS last year.

 

Bradley: .822 career - .718 current - .999 last year

 

Soriano: .842 career - .749 current - .876 last year

 

Lee: .862 career - .804 current - .823 last year

 

That's two players performing well below their career averages and well playing somewhat below his. Is there any certainty that all three of them will match their career numbers? Of course not, but the likelihood is that they'll climb closer to their career numbers as the season progresses. Even taking injuries and age decline into account, Bradley and Soriano aren't likely to end the year 100+ points of OPS below their career averages - especially when they surpassed them last year.

 

As for the others, Soto and Fontenot have both shown better ability previously than they have this year. Soto may not OPS .868 like he did last year and Fontenot may not OPS .909 again, but neither is likely to finish at .650 and .719 respectively, either. Improvement is likely here.

 

Fukudome is a unique case, as he struggled mightily last year. His numbers are better this year - despite his funk - and his peripherals are better this year than last year. His LD% is up four to 22% this year and his K:BB ratio is slightly better than last year.

 

With all of that, plus an expected return of Aramis (though, granted, how much he'll be hampered by injury is unknown), the offense is bound to get better. Considering we're only 4 games back and hovering around .500 with nearly everyone struggling, our chances of taking the lead in the division, reaching the playoffs and being one of 8 teams vying for the World Series are pretty good.

 

I really needed someone to say that. Im lacking in confidence right now.

[dew1679666265]

Here are the current and career OPS' of some of our most important players and their OPS last year.

 

Bradley: .822 career - .718 current - .999 last year

 

Soriano: .842 career - .749 current - .876 last year

 

Lee: .862 career - .804 current - .823 last year

 

That's two players performing well below their career averages and well playing somewhat below his. Is there any certainty that all three of them will match their career numbers? Of course not, but the likelihood is that they'll climb closer to their career numbers as the season progresses. Even taking injuries and age decline into account, Bradley and Soriano aren't likely to end the year 100+ points of OPS below their career averages - especially when they surpassed them last year.

 

As for the others, Soto and Fontenot have both shown better ability previously than they have this year. Soto may not OPS .868 like he did last year and Fontenot may not OPS .909 again, but neither is likely to finish at .650 and .719 respectively, either. Improvement is likely here.

 

Fukudome is a unique case, as he struggled mightily last year. His numbers are better this year - despite his funk - and his peripherals are better this year than last year. His LD% is up four to 22% this year and his K:BB ratio is slightly better than last year.

 

With all of that, plus an expected return of Aramis (though, granted, how much he'll be hampered by injury is unknown), the offense is bound to get better. Considering we're only 4 games back and hovering around .500 with nearly everyone struggling, our chances of taking the lead in the division, reaching the playoffs and being one of 8 teams vying for the World Series are pretty good.

 

I really needed someone to say that. Im lacking in confidence right now.

 

The way I see it is that the Cardinals and Brewers are about as good now as they're going to be (save for any trades they make). The Cubs may not improve, but they have by far the most room to do it.

[sneakypower]

i was at that game, the walkoff HR went 8 rows behind me

[Soul]

Too bad ARam won't be around to jump start our season like he did in '07.

[Gingerballs Lives]

I'm trying to not complain so much but I just don't see it out of this year's team. There just seems to be a hangover from last year's dissapointment (and the questionable offseason) and it seems impossible to shake. I'm actually of the feeling that this organization needs a complete overhaul to be successfull.

 

Hopefully I am wrong.

Edited June 18, 2009 by Gingerballs Lives!

[JGalt73]

Another difference was that at the time we were .500 but had a +31 run differential. We're currently a game under with a +5. We've been about as bad as we've been. (Excuse the Yogi-ism)

[Little Slide Rooter]

If we can keep 3-5 games behind over the next few weeks, and sicne our schedule doesnt look particularly challenging, ending the month with the Indians, Tigers, White Sox, and Pirates with a Braves make up game mixed in, I think we can, just before the ASB we have a 4 game series vs. the Brewers and a 4 gamer vs. the Cards, including a d/n DH the day before the ASB, and thats when we can really pick up some ground.

[Andy]

I hope the posting of this thread, coupled with the next game after the fact, portends something. :D

[loukycub]

i think we are all counting a lot on the offense flipping the on switch for the rest of the season. we have about 100 games to go. i think the saying, you are what you are is most appropriate here. this team is going to have to win games by keeping the other team off the scoreboard rather than putting up so many runs the other team can't catch up in time. that's a lot of 2-1, 3-2, 3-1, etc. ballgames and frankly despite the recent slight improvement of the bullpen in general, i think our starters may have to go 7 or 8 just to hope for a no decision.

 

that the schedule looks favorable for the rest of the month doesn't matter as far as i'm concerned. if we only lose one or two games during that stretch and yet still aren't hitting any better, i'm still going to be worried. at this point i would rather lose 9-8 with lots of hits than win 1-0 with a few hits because then i would have some faith that the bats are starting to come around.

[Bote McBoteface]

Well of course there's hope. The 2007 Cubs were very different from the 2009 Cubs though.

 

 

They weren't nearly as good.

[Cubbie Swagger]

Here are the current and career OPS' of some of our most important players and their OPS last year.

 

Bradley: .822 career - .718 current - .999 last year

 

Soriano: .842 career - .749 current - .876 last year

 

Lee: .862 career - .804 current - .823 last year

 

That's two players performing well below their career averages and well playing somewhat below his. Is there any certainty that all three of them will match their career numbers? Of course not, but the likelihood is that they'll climb closer to their career numbers as the season progresses. Even taking injuries and age decline into account, Bradley and Soriano aren't likely to end the year 100+ points of OPS below their career averages - especially when they surpassed them last year.

 

As for the others, Soto and Fontenot have both shown better ability previously than they have this year. Soto may not OPS .868 like he did last year and Fontenot may not OPS .909 again, but neither is likely to finish at .650 and .719 respectively, either. Improvement is likely here.

 

Fukudome is a unique case, as he struggled mightily last year. His numbers are better this year - despite his funk - and his peripherals are better this year than last year. His LD% is up four to 22% this year and his K:BB ratio is slightly better than last year.

 

With all of that, plus an expected return of Aramis (though, granted, how much he'll be hampered by injury is unknown), the offense is bound to get better. Considering we're only 4 games back and hovering around .500 with nearly everyone struggling, our chances of taking the lead in the division, reaching the playoffs and being one of 8 teams vying for the World Series are pretty good.

 

I really needed someone to say that. Im lacking in confidence right now.

 

The way I see it is that the Cardinals and Brewers are about as good now as they're going to be (save for any trades they make). The Cubs may not improve, but they have by far the most room to do it.

Apparently the Cards and Brewers have both been looking at Pedro as well. I think he would help those teams alot more than us... since they have no pitching. We should snag him just to keep him out of the division.

[dew1679666265]

Apparently the Cards and Brewers have both been looking at Pedro as well. I think he would help those teams alot more than us... since they have no pitching. We should snag him just to keep him out of the division.

 

Money's the problem for us it sounds like. I don't think he'll make a huge positive impact wherever he goes, since he likely doesn't have the gas to be a reliable starter. He'll help any of the three teams' pens, but that's not enough to worry me if our offense is putting it together.

[RedFlash]

Apparently the Cards and Brewers have both been looking at Pedro as well. I think he would help those teams alot more than us... since they have no pitching. We should snag him just to keep him out of the division.

 

Money's the problem for us it sounds like. I don't think he'll make a huge positive impact wherever he goes, since he likely doesn't have the gas to be a reliable starter. He'll help any of the three teams' pens, but that's not enough to worry me if our offense is putting it together.

 

Agreed. ATP Pedro is prolly a 5-6 innings pitcher and that would likely tax either team's bullpen quicker. I like Pedro, but he isn't a must for the Cubs right now.

[Z38Cubs]

Well, two years ago today was the Aramis walkoff. One of the most exciting games I've witnessed the Cubs today. And just for fun, I went back and looked at the game thread from that game. The difference between our enthusiasm for the Cubs that year and this year is amazing. I guess it has to do with this year the Cubs coming off back to back divisions, and in 2007 coming off a horrid 3 years. The joy of everyone in that thread is really something though.

[ELCABALLO45]

Well, two years ago today was the Aramis walkoff. One of the most exciting games I've witnessed the Cubs today. And just for fun, I went back and looked at the game thread from that game. The difference between our enthusiasm for the Cubs that year and this year is amazing. I guess it has to do with this year the Cubs coming off back to back divisions, and in 2007 coming off a horrid 3 years. The joy of everyone in that thread is really something though.

 

:evil:

[InconspicuousZ28]

Well, two years ago today was the Aramis walkoff. One of the most exciting games I've witnessed the Cubs today. And just for fun, I went back and looked at the game thread from that game. The difference between our enthusiasm for the Cubs that year and this year is amazing. I guess it has to do with this year the Cubs coming off back to back divisions, and in 2007 coming off a horrid 3 years. The joy of everyone in that thread is really something though.

 

 

I still have the video and Pat and Ron's call of that last inning somewhere here on the computer.

 

I remember that I was sitting at work eating lunch and listening to the game with my ear buds and its still the only time I've stood up and yelled at work.

[BCVM22]

http://home.comcast.net/~bcvm22/cubs/6292007.mp3

[ConstableRabbit]

That gives me goosebumps