Cardinals (Gibson) vs Cubs (Wicks): 6/14/24, 1:20pm

[Rex Buckingham]

yet again, not a strike

[UMFan83]

So I just entered this prompt into ChatGPT:  "create a realistic scenario for the most frustrating and most annoying way for a Chicago Cubs baseball season to unfold. Break it down by segments of the season and specific things that happen that seem designed to anger and frustrate the fanbase of the Cubs."

Here is what it spit out for April - June:

Quote

Pre-Season: High Hopes and Major Signing

• Big Offseason Moves: The Cubs make several big offseason acquisitions, signing a star pitcher and a power-hitting outfielder, raising hopes for a division title or even a deep playoff run.
• Optimistic Predictions: Pundits and analysts predict the Cubs to be strong contenders, leading to high expectations among fans.

---

April: Fast Start with a Glitch

• Opening Week Dominance: The Cubs start the season with a strong showing, winning 8 of their first 10 games, including a sweep of a division rival.
• Injuries Begin: The new star pitcher suffers a minor injury that sidelines him for a couple of weeks. It’s brushed off as precautionary, but it’s the start of recurring issues.

---

May: The Unexpected Slump

• Offensive Woes: The power-hitting outfielder enters a prolonged slump, batting below .200 for the month, while the rest of the lineup struggles with runners in scoring position.
• Bullpen Blunders: The bullpen blows several leads in the late innings, resulting in a string of frustrating losses where the Cubs lose after leading in the 8th inning or later.
• Inconsistent Performances: The team hovers around .500, failing to capitalize on games against weaker opponents.

---

June: Injuries and Heartbreaking Losses

• Major Injuries: The star pitcher’s injury is revealed to be more serious, leading to surgery and a season-ending prognosis. Another key player goes down with a hamstring injury, sidelining them for several weeks.
• Heartbreaking Losses: The Cubs lose several extra-inning games, including a particularly brutal loss where they blow a 7-run lead in the 9th inning to a division rival.
• Controversial Calls: A series of controversial umpiring decisions go against the Cubs, leading to losses in crucial games and sparking outrage among fans.

I mean its not identical but its pretty on point with how the season has gone lmao.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Zaidman just got so excited about a pitch clock violation that I thought the Cubs had tied the game up.

[WhyCantWeWin]

Just need a three run bomb now

[Tryptamine]

Please complete this day of stupidity and let's have another warning track shot.

[UMFan83]

I'm sure Nico will tie it up here.  Seems due

[chibears55]

8 minutes ago, JHBulls said:

Maybe even two guys will be left on base…

Yep, love them fake rallies

[WhyCantWeWin]

Takes a pitch right down the middle and then swings at a pitch in the dirt. Vintage Nico

[chibears55]

4 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

Zaidman just got so excited about a pitch clock violation that I thought the Cubs had tied the game up.

Hey ot helped get a runner on base 😅

[Tryptamine]

Another fantastic showing.

[UMFan83]

0-3 against St. Louis

2-5 against Cincinnati

3-4 against Pittsburgh

3-4 against Milwaukee

8-16 against the NL Central

[Cubs420psd]

4 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

Zaidman just got so excited about a pitch clock violation that I thought the Cubs had tied the game up.

One of the worst announcers in the business. Guys emotional control is non-existent. He talks through a home run like the teams on a rain delay and then loses his horsefeathers over a warning track shot.

 

He's absolutely terrible

[17 Seconds]

good, keep it going. they don't even hurt anymore

[UMFan83]

At least we don't have to worry about that Wisdom flyout being the difference since the Cardinals were gonna dink and dunk their way to 2 more runs regardless.

[chibears55]

Tied with the Mets 37 losses only the Rockies and Marlins has more, so right there with the bottom 3(4) of the league.

Maybe their luck will change soon 🤷‍♂️

[UMFan83]

Cubs have played at a 59 win pace for the last 27% of the season (16-28)

Cubs have played at a 50 win pace for the last 18% of the season (9-20)

Cubs have played at a 41 win pace for the last 5% of the season (2-6)

[Irrelevant Dude]

Coomer thinks we're going to start seeing a lot more small ball.  Yes, that's the ticket!

[chibears55]

2 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

0-3 against St. Louis

2-5 against Cincinnati

3-4 against Pittsburgh

3-4 against Milwaukee

8-16 against the NL Central

Does this mean the Cubs are the worse team in a division that was supposed to be easily won by them

[WhyCantWeWin]

At least Shota is pitching tomorrow. Can enjoy watching him before the bullpen blows the game 

[UMFan83]

5 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Does this mean the Cubs are the worse team in a division that was supposed to be easily won by them

Yeah but I mean its hard to beat all the big market teams in this division.  There's a reason we haven't won a division title in a full season since 2017 - just too many big market teams throwing their resources around.

[Tryptamine]

I'd be a liar if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind to trade Steele and Shota, just build a monster of a farm, and hope that works. Hopefully under someone other than Jed.

Edited June 14, 2024 by Tryptamine

[Irrelevant Dude]

Michael Busch is now your team leader in OPS at .790

[Irrelevant Dude]

1 minute ago, Tryptamine said:

I'd be a liar if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind to trade Steele and Shota, just build a monster of a farm

Preferably more corner outfielders to stagnate behind Happ and Suzuki.

[chibears55]

3 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

Coomer thinks we're going to start seeing a lot more small ball.  Yes, that's the ticket!

Small ball works if executed right

Bunts, stolen bases, hit n run, hitting the other way to move runners over/in, Sac flies, taking extra base.

You can steal a couple add on runs this way, the problem is they struggle to score any runs to add onto.

[Irrelevant Dude]

1 minute ago, chibears55 said:

Small ball works if executed right

It works situationally, but if the plan to fix the Cubs offense long term is "more small ball" then we're in for even more disappointment.