Random Cubs Musings

[Sammys Boombox]

I feel I am far more knowledgable than the average football fan, but I realize how little I actually know about what is going on behind the scenes. Also, the way two fumbles bounce and a kick hitting an upright can be the difference between a 10-6 division title and a 7-9 season (and a potential Super Bowl title). Luck is a huge factor considering the majority of games come down to the last 5 minutes.

 

Edit: oh, and the officials.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

I keep clicking hoping for the baseball musings and I keep getting the football musings. Can we get back to regularly scheduled musings, please?

 

Here's one: I think next year we will set a record for homerun streak hit by a team. Not sure what the current record is, but I'd venture we go at least 50 games in a row with someone hitting a homer, which should just about do it. Or is that figure way too low?

Edited August 14, 2014 by JennieGarthAlgar

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, football is clearly the meatballiest major sport.

 

 

I love football but can't deny this one. Media guys don't make it better, either.

 

Football media are the worst, especially when they're waxing poetic about quarterbacks and their mystical clutch "he's just got 'it'" factor. .

 

No sports' media is worse when it comes to waxing poetic nonsense than baseball media (with the exception of futbol media).

[Guest]

Random Cubs Musing:

 

If Javy had enough AB's to qualify, he would lead all MLB second basemen with an .878 OPS. Cano would be second at .867 and nobody else would be closer than .819. Only three qualified 2B even have an OPS over .800 this year.

[Guest]

i can't get excited about a SSS ops until he has at least one walk. right now the triple slash looks ridiculous.

 

JUST TAKE ONE FOR ME JAVY

[Guest]

i can't get excited about a SSS ops until he has at least one walk. right now the triple slash looks ridiculous.

 

JUST TAKE ONE FOR ME JAVY

That's why it's only a random musing at this point.

[apete6]

Grantland created a "Manager Meddling" Index to see how much a manager tries to influence a game. Read for the methodology, but Renteria ranks 3rd, which initially angered me, BUT after reading, he gets most of his points on:

 

Challenges Used--which I'm OK with. Why not? There's no penalty for losing a challenge. This could be a Theo/Jed directive.

1 Batter Faced Pitcher Appearances--I'm less keen on this one, but it certainly beats ranking high on some of the other things (sac bunts, using a PH, IBB issued, Hits and Runs Called, pitching out, lineups used, and defensive substitutions).

 

Overall, a good article: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2014-mlb-managerial-meddling-index/

[Guest]

Grantland created a "Manager Meddling" Index to see how much a manager tries to influence a game. Read for the methodology, but Renteria ranks 3rd, which initially angered me, BUT after reading, he gets most of his points on:

 

Challenges Used--which I'm OK with. Why not? There's no penalty for losing a challenge. This could be a Theo/Jed directive.

1 Batter Faced Pitcher Appearances--I'm less keen on this one, but it certainly beats ranking high on some of the other things (sac bunts, using a PH, IBB issued, Hits and Runs Called, pitching out, lineups used, and defensive substitutions).

 

Overall, a good article: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2014-mlb-managerial-meddling-index/

The Cubs have carried an unusually large pen most of the year, which helps explain why he would use them in that way. Shorten the pen and he'd likely use longer outings.

[Guest]

For example: I'm going to win $100 in a few months because a friend bet me that Tampa will win 11 or more this year because he thinks Lovie Smith is a top 5-10 coach of ALL TIME.

 

Bets I've made with people I work with over the last yearish:

 

-The Astros would lose at least 100 games last year.

-The Kings would miss the playoffs last year.

-Brandon Belt would hit less than 40 home runs this year (this one was middle April)

-aTm football over 7.5 wins last year.

-last year was Jim Harbuagh's 3rd year as SF head coach (other guy was adamant it was his 4th, I was happy to take his money)

-Miami Heat have only won 3 titles, not 4.

 

Basically people say stupid things, I know they're likely going to be wrong or, in the case of the last bet, actually are wrong and I take advantage.

 

I also had a coworker say that Tim Lincecum was the biggest waste of talent in baseball because of how inconsistent he's been the last couple years.

[bukie]

This year, the highest team OBP is .332 (Pittxburgh). In 2008, this was the Cubs' every day lineup, with OBPs:

 

1. Soriano .344

2. Theriot .387

3. Lee .361

4. Ramirez .380

5. Edmonds .369

6. DeRosa .376

7. Fukudome .359

8. Soto .364

[Coach C]

Got to mention (just my opinion) that Theo/Cubs made the right time on trading away Hammel. Since he joined the A's, he has been awful, or so it seems.....

 

Since joining the A's, his WHIP is a horrendous 1.828 and a WAR of -0.6.

[dew1679666265]

I also had a coworker say that Tim Lincecum was the biggest waste of talent in baseball because of how inconsistent he's been the last couple years.

 

Inconsistent isn't the right word, but he's definitely not been what he once was the past three years.

[Sammys Boombox]

I just realized the Cubs have had a 3-game losing streak in every postseason they have been in since the LCS was established.

 

'84 - Games 3-5 NLCS

'89 - Games 3-5 NLCS

'98 - Games 1-3 NLDS

'03 - Games 5-7 NLCS

'07 - Games 1-3 NLDS

'08 - Games 1-3 NLDS

[Sammys Boombox]

This year, the highest team OBP is .332 (Pittxburgh). In 2008, this was the Cubs' every day lineup, with OBPs:

 

1. Soriano .344

2. Theriot .387

3. Lee .361

4. Ramirez .380

5. Edmonds .369

6. DeRosa .376

7. Fukudome .359

8. Soto .364

 

That season was the best. Still loved the 03/04 teams more, but 08 was awesome.

[bhogg]

Was the 2009 season the year that Hendry thought we needed to get more left handed?

 

That 2008 club was awesome to watch -- never felt like they'd lose a game until they drew the red hot dodgers in the first round of the playoffs.

[Cubswin11]

I just looked at the remaining schedule, we don't play a team below .500 the rest of the way after today.

[Clem Fandango]

I just looked at the remaining schedule, we don't play a team below .500 the rest of the way after today.

 

Then the Cubs will either play spoiler and be fun to watch or they'll get their asses kicked and yay draft pick!

[Guest]

Boo draft pick.

[bukie]

I just looked at the remaining schedule, we don't play a team below .500 the rest of the way after today.

That's not true, they play the Mets tomorrow.

[Cubswin11]

I just looked at the remaining schedule, we don't play a team below .500 the rest of the way after today.

That's not true, they play the Mets tomorrow.

*After this series. Forgot we have the weird 4 game series that goes Fri-Mon

[bukie]

I just looked at the remaining schedule, we don't play a team below .500 the rest of the way after today.

That's not true, they play the Mets tomorrow.

*After this series. Forgot we have the weird 4 game series that goes Fri-Mon

Also a decent chance Cincy is below .500 at the end of the day today.

[Cubswin11]

I just looked at the remaining schedule, we don't play a team below .500 the rest of the way after today.

That's not true, they play the Mets tomorrow.

*After this series. Forgot we have the weird 4 game series that goes Fri-Mon

Also a decent chance Cincy is below .500 at the end of the day today.

They have a double header in Colorado and were .500 going into the day, I was assuming they'd at least split.

 

*Other than Cincy who currently sits at .500 and NY tomorrow every team they play the rest of the way is currently at and will likely be .500 or better

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I just realized the Cubs have had a 3-game losing streak in every postseason they have been in since the LCS was established.

 

'84 - Games 3-5 NLCS

'89 - Games 3-5 NLCS

'98 - Games 1-3 NLDS

'03 - Games 5-7 NLCS

'07 - Games 1-3 NLDS

'08 - Games 1-3 NLDS

 

:puke:

[ctcf]

Jim Hendry was fired 3 years ago today. Gotta say, I feel like they've come a long way in 3 years.

[Sammy Sofa]

Jim Hendry was fired 3 years ago today. Gotta say, I feel like they've come a long way in 3 years.

 

True; it's been an impressive slide into the depths.