9/24 Pirates (Taillon) at Cubs (Hamels) 7 pm CSN Chicago

[soccer10k]

Lets hope this is like the White Sox series where we lay an egg the first game but still win the series.

[CyHawk_Cub]

There definitely are. It's not like having walkover series every damn week like the Indians have had the luxury of getting this year.

 

Still, the 2nd half trends for the Cubs are at least partially disturbing. -2 run differential and 23rd ranked team wRC+ since the break. The rotation, obviously, has gotten much better too though. I think many fans (this one included) are just especially sensitive to crappy offense.

[gobigred]

[Cubswin11]

The Cubs have lost 3 series since the all star break. Let’s stop with this “blowing the division” talk. There are other formidable teams in the division playing well this season.

Definitely. The perception that this team isn’t good or collapsing or blowing something is largely due to never having a huge lead this year and the Brewers and Cardinals (to a lesser degree) sticking around so long and playing good baseball too.

[TMan92]

 

Great job security! What the hell.

[soccer10k]

I think the most frustrating part of this season is we haven't had any sustained stretch of dominant baseball. In 2015 and 2017, we lit up the league in the second half. In 2016, we lit up the league for the entire season outside of 20 games before the ASB. We haven't had that this year.

 

In 2015, we had 11 stretches where we went 12-3 or better over 15 games. 2016 we had 22. 2017 we had 8. This year we have 4.

In 2015, we had 15 stretches where we went 15-5 or better over 20 games. 2016 we had too many for me to count. Last year we had 4. This year we have 2.

 

Last three years we had a second half winning percentage of at least .660, this year we're at .571.

 

This isn't to say we're not a good team because we obviously are. Just saying why it feels different from the last three years.

[UMFan83]

There definitely are. It's not like having walkover series every damn week like the Indians have had the luxury of getting this year.

 

Still, the 2nd half trends for the Cubs are at least partially disturbing. -2 run differential and 23rd ranked team wRC+ since the break. The rotation, obviously, has gotten much better too though. I think many fans (this one included) are just especially sensitive to crappy offense.

 

Yeah the offense is so disappointing after all the resources we spent on it over the last several years. I am completely dumbfounded that we can hit as poorly as we have over a 2.5 month span. Bryant’s injury plays a big part I get it but overall they just aren’t hitting.

 

Strange thing is we’ve seen a breakout year by Javy, Rizzo has been Rizzo save the first 6 weeks of the year, Zobrist has had a bounce back season, Heywards numbers overall have improved over 16 and 17, Schwarber has put up solid numbers overall. I guess what’s killing is huge regressions by Willson, whatever is turning Bryant from a .900 OPS hitter to a .750 OPS hitter and lack of development/regression by Happ and Almora

[Cubswin11]

There definitely are. It's not like having walkover series every damn week like the Indians have had the luxury of getting this year.

 

Still, the 2nd half trends for the Cubs are at least partially disturbing. -2 run differential and 23rd ranked team wRC+ since the break. The rotation, obviously, has gotten much better too though. I think many fans (this one included) are just especially sensitive to crappy offense.

 

Yeah the offense is so disappointing after all the resources we spent on it over the last several years. I am completely dumbfounded that we can hit as poorly as we have over a 2.5 month span. Bryant’s injury plays a big part I get it but overall they just aren’t hitting.

 

Strange thing is we’ve seen a breakout year by Javy, Rizzo has been Rizzo save the first 6 weeks of the year, Zobrist has had a bounce back season, Heywards numbers overall have improved over 16 and 17, Schwarber has put up solid numbers overall. I guess what’s killing is huge regressions by Willson, whatever is turning Bryant from a .900 OPS hitter to a .750 OPS hitter and lack of development/regression by Happ and Almora

Seems like we aren’t getting all the right guys in the lineup at the same time and clicking either because of injuries that we’ve had to do suboptimal things because of it.

 

I don’t think we’ve had a lot of lineups that included Zobrist/Javy/Rizzo/KB/Heyward/Schwarbs because one seemed to always be hurt outside of Javy.

[Sammys Boombox]

I think we were robbed of a truly great, prime season from KB. Sucks. Especially since the division is so close.

[Cubswin11]

I think we were robbed of a truly great, prime season from KB. Sucks. Especially since the division is so close.

Yup up to that HBP in Colorado he was on his way to putting up his best year yet.

[17 Seconds]

losing ground during this first half of the week would really hurt

[Cubswin11]

losing ground during this first half of the week would really hurt

Yeah we need the 2 game L column lead at minimum going in to the weekend, imo. Can’t be depending on Tigers win(s)/sweeping the Cardinals. We should really win these next 3 games and take care of business ourselves and not depend on the stupid cardinals for help.

[soccer10k]

losing ground during this first half of the week would really hurt

Yeah we need the 2 game L column lead at minimum going in to the weekend, imo. Can’t be depending on Tigers win(s)/sweeping the Cardinals. We should really win these next 3 games and take care of business ourselves and not depend on the stupid cardinals for help.

 

Yeah, if we win and the Cards win tomorrow, we're fine. Then we're 2.5 up with 5 to play (4 for Mil). Then I only care that we win on Wednesday.

 

Worst case scenario for us now is Milwaukee sweeps. That means they're, at worst, 1.5 back going into our extra game on Thursday.

[Sammy Sofa]

There definitely are. It's not like having walkover series every damn week like the Indians have had the luxury of getting this year.

 

Still, the 2nd half trends for the Cubs are at least partially disturbing. -2 run differential and 23rd ranked team wRC+ since the break. The rotation, obviously, has gotten much better too though. I think many fans (this one included) are just especially sensitive to crappy offense.

 

Yeah the offense is so disappointing after all the resources we spent on it over the last several years. I am completely dumbfounded that we can hit as poorly as we have over a 2.5 month span. Bryant’s injury plays a big part I get it but overall they just aren’t hitting.

 

Strange thing is we’ve seen a breakout year by Javy, Rizzo has been Rizzo save the first 6 weeks of the year, Zobrist has had a bounce back season, Heywards numbers overall have improved over 16 and 17, Schwarber has put up solid numbers overall. I guess what’s killing is huge regressions by Willson, whatever is turning Bryant from a .900 OPS hitter to a .750 OPS hitter and lack of development/regression by Happ and Almora

 

While I appreciate the effort of completely ignoring Russell (as we all should), it's pretty clear his complete collapse as a baseball player (and a human being) was a big knock on the offense, too.

[Brian707]

Cubs still 85% to win the division

 

[Brian707]

horsefeathers the Cardinals, Go Brewers

This makes no sense

If the Cubs blow the division, it's more than likely their own doing. I don't want to see the Cardinals in the playoffs.

 

 

The Cubs should win 94 or 95 games, right at their projection even with all the injuries. Nobody expected the Brewers or Cardinals to be much more north of 86-88 wins. You are being obtuse.

[CyHawk_Cub]

While I appreciate the effort of completely ignoring Russell (as we all should), it's pretty clear his complete collapse as a baseball player (and a human being) was a big knock on the offense, too.

 

DOOM BONER ALERT

 

horsefeathers like this is why I no longer assume anything as far as the Cubs competitive window goes. Who knows what kind of crap like this pops up? And if Bryant's shoulder is a chronic problem going forward?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

While I appreciate the effort of completely ignoring Russell (as we all should), it's pretty clear his complete collapse as a baseball player (and a human being) was a big knock on the offense, too.

 

DOOM BONER ALERT

 

horsefeathers like this is why I no longer assume anything as far as the Cubs competitive window goes. Who knows what kind of crap like this pops up? And if Bryant's shoulder is a chronic problem going forward?

 

I think it's safe to assume that Bryant's shoulder is a permanent problem and we can stop counting on him for 40 HRs.

[David]

I never really saw Russell as a big part of the offense. Just a league average bat with elite defense is what I had expected out of him (who could potentially become a better hitter at some point given his age, but yeah).

 

But yeah, given what happened with Darvish, the bullpen injuries, the fact that Rizzo was ass for 1.5 months or so, Bryant not having contributed much, and the starting pitchers all pretty much underperforming expectations, it's pretty remarkable that we're probably winning 95 games.

[bcl412]

I ain’t scared. Yet....

[minnesotacubsfan]

But yeah, given what happened with Darvish, the bullpen injuries, the fact that Rizzo was ass for 1.5 months or so, Bryant not having contributed much, and the starting pitchers all pretty much underperforming expectations, it's pretty remarkable that we're probably winning 95 games.

 

exactly why I dont want to give up on them this year yet

 

also, where is today's gam thread

[weis21]

But yeah, given what happened with Darvish, the bullpen injuries, the fact that Rizzo was ass for 1.5 months or so, Bryant not having contributed much, and the starting pitchers all pretty much underperforming expectations, it's pretty remarkable that we're probably winning 95 games.

 

exactly why I dont want to give up on them this year yet

 

also, where is today's gam thread

TM Man is MIA apparently and mojo said Andy was next up

[Sammy Sofa]

TMan92 was posting until, like 2 AM, but so far no game thread from here and no response to my messages. I posted a heads up for Andy to have one up if he doens't show by 3-4 PM CST, but no signs of life from him, either. Jersey's next after them.

[minnesotacubsfan]

GOOD GOD I'LL START ONE MYSELF YOU HEATHENS

[minnesotacubsfan]

j/k. I'm actually quite terrible at it. I just use words no gifs