Cubs Season Flow Thread

[Jason Ross]

2016 had the most fun moments but the regular season was kind of less-fun than 2015 and 2025 IMO; I expected the 2016 Cubs to be great, I didn't expect 2015 and 2025 (so far) to be this way. The unexpected nature makes the year more fun. Where as in 2016, I was kind of "World Series or Bust" from the start. 2016 super-ramped up in the playoffs and got amazing in that way. 

Where 2016 wins is that it ended fun where as the other years all ended in some form or fashion of "bummer". 

Just different types of seasons, IMO.

[Andy]

4 hours ago, CubinNY said:

The end wasn't a blast for me; it was psychosis inducing. I had to hide in my bedroom and have my wife give me updates because there was no way I could stand to watch them lose. I was still traumatized from 2003.  

You know, I would never say those games weren't stressful because obviously they were, but I don't think I ever really thought they were going to lose. Particularly once the Cleveland outfield misplayed Russell's fly ball into a 2-run double in Game 6, I thought it was gonna happen.

[gflore34]

11 minutes ago, Andy said:

You know, I would never say those games weren't stressful because obviously they were, but I don't think I ever really thought they were going to lose. Particularly once the Cleveland outfield misplayed Russell's fly ball into a 2-run double in Game 6, I thought it was gonna happen.

I felt the same, just seemed that whatever needed to happen for the Cubs to win did.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Hunter said:

I was also at Game 5. It was one of the better games that year because it was so pivotal. It was 1st elimination game the Cubs had to play through and turned the momentum back around. You had Lester going 6, and Chapman going 2.2. It had the HR by Bryant and the bobble catch over the first base railing with Ross and Rizzo. Yes it was only 3-2 as a score and would be a bit of a snooze-fest if you viewed as a regular season game, but it was the most important game of that series. Game 6 of the NLCS was probably my favorite. When Rizzo donged all over Kershaw and Kershaw blew up on the mound, I knew the Cubs were going to the WS. 

But game 5 of the WS meant they got to go back to Cleveland. Yes, it was amazing. But they still had work to do. Game 6 of the NLCS was the clincher to go to the WS. I felt way more emotion in that one. The guy next to me was crying at that games conclusion. He was a friend I met as a season ticket holder.
And the Montero homer in game 1 had to be the single biggest hit in Cubs history. The grandstands were actually vibrating. It was incredible. 

[bukie]

To keep 2016 in perspective, as of June 6 in 2016, the Cubs were 40-16 and had a 10 game lead in the division, and a 6 game lead on the entire league.

They weren't just the best team, they were the best team by far, and nobody else was close.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

4 minutes ago, bukie said:

To keep 2016 in perspective, as of June 6 in 2016, the Cubs were 40-16 and had a 10 game lead in the division, and a 6 game lead on the entire league.

They weren't just the best team, they were the best team by far, and nobody else was close.

This is also right before the 2016 team had their worst stretch of the season, from June 6 to the All-Star break they went 13-19.  But yeah, the 2016 team is one of the best teams ever, so even being in shouting range of comparison is a great result.

[Rcal10]

7 minutes ago, bukie said:

To keep 2016 in perspective, as of June 6 in 2016, the Cubs were 40-16 and had a 10 game lead in the division, and a 6 game lead on the entire league.

They weren't just the best team, they were the best team by far, and nobody else was close.

They did have a stretch were they went something like 10-17 and the less dropped to 6.5 games. Which is something people should realize this year. There is going to be a stretch of bad baseball. It just happens. It happened in 2016, I expect it will happen this year too. 

[Hunter]

3 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

2016 had the most fun moments but the regular season was kind of less-fun than 2015 and 2025 IMO; I expected the 2016 Cubs to be great, I didn't expect 2015 and 2025 (so far) to be this way. The unexpected nature makes the year more fun. Where as in 2016, I was kind of "World Series or Bust" from the start. 2016 super-ramped up in the playoffs and got amazing in that way. 

Where 2016 wins is that it ended fun where as the other years all ended in some form or fashion of "bummer". 

Just different types of seasons, IMO.

The 2nd half of 2015 was amazing because Arrieta was pitching at such a high level that it was a marvel to watch his games. 

[soccer10k]

On 6/6/2025 at 12:40 PM, Jason Ross said:

2016 had the most fun moments but the regular season was kind of less-fun than 2015 and 2025 IMO; I expected the 2016 Cubs to be great, I didn't expect 2015 and 2025 (so far) to be this way. The unexpected nature makes the year more fun. Where as in 2016, I was kind of "World Series or Bust" from the start. 2016 super-ramped up in the playoffs and got amazing in that way. 

Where 2016 wins is that it ended fun where as the other years all ended in some form or fashion of "bummer". 

Just different types of seasons, IMO.

The last two months of 2015 were great but the first 4 were frustrating. Sure we ended with 97 wins but we were 52-47 on July 28. The 2016 season was great outside of a 3 week stretch where we went 5-15. The other 142 games we beat the horsefeathers out of the league at a 112 win pace.

[UMFan83]

23 minutes ago, soccer10k said:

The last two months of 2015 were great but the first 4 were frustrating. Sure we ended with 97 wins but we were 52-47 on July 28. The 2016 season was great outside of a 3 week stretch where we went 5-15. The other 142 games we beat the horsefeathers out of the league at a 112 win pace.

I don’t remember it being that frustrating, mostly due to coming off 6 straight non playoff seasons. It was refreshing to see them playing above .500 baseball led by all the young talent. Though obviously when they took off mid-season it was a whole new level of fun. 

[Illiterate Scholar]

Maybe it'll change as we get closer to the offseason, but I've been pleasantly surprised at how Tucker's impending free agency hasn't been the main story. A lot of that is due to how many guys are having great seasons and that's what's made it so fun. Tucker's been fantastic but hasn't been our best player by WAR. And 2 other guys besides that are also in the same neighborhood as him in terms of wRC+/OPS etc (granted Busch has been shielded against bad matchups). Plus it's hard not to be excited about Shaw right now. I'm very happy this isn't entirely built on Tucker going all Aaron Judge on everyone, which after the first few weeks, seemed like the season had that potential. 

[Bertz]

After the Dodgers' bullpen meltdown today, the Cubs are 2.5 games up on a first round bye

At this point probably better for the Cards to win these games than the Dodgers?

[javy knows my name]

3 hours ago, Bertz said:

After the Dodgers' bullpen meltdown today, the Cubs are 2.5 games up on a first round bye

At this point probably better for the Cards to win these games than the Dodgers?

Never

[muntjack]

Shaw now with a higher OPS than Happ, Swanson or Hoerner.

[UMFan83]

14 minutes ago, muntjack said:

Shaw now with a higher OPS than Happ, Swanson or Hoerner.

Now thankful we didn’t sign Bregman. Bregman might be better in the short term but establishing Shaw AND having (hopefully) $20+ million to spend at the deadline is a big win. 

[soccer10k]

5 hours ago, UMFan83 said:

I don’t remember it being that frustrating, mostly due to coming off 6 straight non playoff seasons. It was refreshing to see them playing above .500 baseball led by all the young talent. Though obviously when they took off mid-season it was a whole new level of fun. 

It was frustrating in that we knew we had a ton of talent yet were playing .500 baseball. I know it was also exciting because we had a ton of young talent, but right now we’re winning games. In 2016 we won games right from the start. Winning is more fun to me. That’s not to say 2015 wasn’t fun and exciting. But if I’m ranking the three years of 15, 16 and 25, the 2015 season ranks third (obviously this year could still take a down turn, though hopefully not).

[Layoutman]

Barring any injuries, does Jonathon Long get called up before the rosters expand in September?

While Turner has been somewhat better at the dish lately, I think Long, could cover Turner's production.  While adding a lot of lineup flexibility. Covering 1B when tough lefties start, backing up / spot starting at 3rd for Shaw which could give Nico a break at 2nd. Long can also cover the corner outfield spots: 

Nice pick by Long: Jonathon Long's tremendous sliding catch | 05/31/2025 | MLB.com

Can CC get him enough AB's to make it worth it? Would rather see Long get the MLB at bats than Turner or Berti.

[Rcal10]

4 hours ago, Layoutman said:

Barring any injuries, does Jonathon Long get called up before the rosters expand in September?

While Turner has been somewhat better at the dish lately, I think Long, could cover Turner's production.  While adding a lot of lineup flexibility. Covering 1B when tough lefties start, backing up / spot starting at 3rd for Shaw which could give Nico a break at 2nd. Long can also cover the corner outfield spots: 

Nice pick by Long: Jonathon Long's tremendous sliding catch | 05/31/2025 | MLB.com

Can CC get him enough AB's to make it worth it? Would rather see Long get the MLB at bats than Turner or Berti.

I don’t see the Cubs letting Turner go and Berti is used for baserunning or maybe even a game or two for Nico. Turner is too valuable as a veteran on the bench working with the younger guys. It has been mentioned often how much he is liked and respected. Besides that, barring an injury, there just isn’t enough AB for long. 

[Bertz]

5 hours ago, Layoutman said:

Barring any injuries, does Jonathon Long get called up before the rosters expand in September?

While Turner has been somewhat better at the dish lately, I think Long, could cover Turner's production.  While adding a lot of lineup flexibility. Covering 1B when tough lefties start, backing up / spot starting at 3rd for Shaw which could give Nico a break at 2nd. Long can also cover the corner outfield spots: 

Nice pick by Long: Jonathon Long's tremendous sliding catch | 05/31/2025 | MLB.com

Can CC get him enough AB's to make it worth it? Would rather see Long get the MLB at bats than Turner or Berti.

I think the fact that he's moving around a bit defensively is a sign they think the bat is ready-ish.  I wouldn't be surprised if he's up before too long.  Likely the next time someone hits the IL.

I do think the team values soft skills/leadership/etc. quite a bit.  So I don't expect Turner to just be kicked to the curb, especially since he has been playing a lot better of late.  Unless he nosedives again he'll be around for a while yet.  

[Layoutman]

11 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I don’t see the Cubs letting Turner go and Berti is used for baserunning or maybe even a game or two for Nico. Turner is too valuable as a veteran on the bench working with the younger guys. It has been mentioned often how much he is liked and respected. Besides that, barring an injury, there just isn’t enough AB for long. 

I can see the reasoning behind keeping Turner with the intangibles.  For Berti? No thanks - pass. Waste of a roster spot having both him and Vidal Brujan.  They are redundant.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Layoutman said:

I can see the reasoning behind keeping Turner with the intangibles.  For Berti? No thanks - pass. Waste of a roster spot having both him and Vidal Brujan.  They are redundant.

They are. But between them they have had maybe 10AB since Shaw came back. Actually 10 might be a high total. I don’t really see a place for Long unless someone gets injured. 

[Stratos]

Quote

Cubs still on pace for 99 wins.

 

[CubinNY]

Tigers built the perfect team for that field. Wait until they get the rest of the pitching crew up, they are going to be a monster. 

[gflore34]

4 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

Tigers built the perfect team for that field. Wait until they get the rest of the pitching crew up, they are going to be a monster. 

I still think the lineup is a bat, maybe, two short, but, they'll have the arms to deal.

Edited June 9, 2025 by gflore34

[BigSlick]

162 game seasons are long and even the best teams have long stretches where its pure misery. we're not at pure misery, but it is an annoying stretch.