One thing to remember

[woodprior04]

Is that in 2003, on July 26 the Cubs were 51-52 and 5 and a half back of the 'Stros. I'm sure there were plenty of people who thought the Cubs were done at that point. I'm not saying the Cubs will make the playoffs, but this season is far from over as many people on this board seem to think. Even with the recent struggles, it looks like Dusty has figured out how to fill out a decent lineup, and Wood and Prior are back.

 

Now go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for being optimistic.

[reggiemiller rules]

i dont think that you are dumb for being optimistic, everyone should be but there is a major difference. that is you were only 5 and half out, now you are 11 and half out. also you guys were a better team then that stros team. the cubs are not better then the cardnials this year.

[Southpaw191679666239]

Is that in 2003, on July 26 the Cubs were 51-52 and 5 and a half back of the 'Stros. I'm sure there were plenty of people who thought the Cubs were done at that point. I'm not saying the Cubs will make the playoffs, but this season is far from over as many people on this board seem to think. Even with the recent struggles, it looks like Dusty has figured out how to fill out a decent lineup, and Wood and Prior are back.

 

Now go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for being optimistic.

 

Hmm... flaws in your optimism:

 

(1) 5.5 back vs 11.5 back = Big difference

(2) Wood is back? Yes he is. Back to his usual form of nearing 100 pitches by the 4th inning.

 

Woo... hoo.

[Rusch33]

We had a good offense in 03 -- this year, we don't.

 

I'm trying to patient, but it's starting to wear thin.

 

JIM, GET A BAT!!!

[woodprior04]

Is that in 2003, on July 26 the Cubs were 51-52 and 5 and a half back of the 'Stros. I'm sure there were plenty of people who thought the Cubs were done at that point. I'm not saying the Cubs will make the playoffs, but this season is far from over as many people on this board seem to think. Even with the recent struggles, it looks like Dusty has figured out how to fill out a decent lineup, and Wood and Prior are back.

 

Now go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for being optimistic.

 

Hmm... flaws in your optimism:

 

(1) 5.5 back vs 11.5 back = Big difference

(2) Wood is back? Yes he is. Back to his usual form of nearing 100 pitches by the 4th inning.

 

Woo... hoo.

 

We are 5 back in the wildcard.

 

And getting Wood back and keeping him healthy definitely helps the team. If you don't think so, then maybe you should start your own thread.

[woodprior04]

We had a good offense in 03 -- this year, we don't.

 

I'm trying to patient, but it's starting to wear thin.

 

JIM, GET A BAT!!!

 

We scored 4.47 runs a game in '03. This year we've scored 4.48.

[Sabermetrician]

We had a good offense in 03 -- this year, we don't.

 

I'm trying to patient, but it's starting to wear thin.

 

JIM, GET A BAT!!!

 

If by good offense in 2003 you mean by watching the likes of Hee Seop Choi, Bobby Hill, Alex Gonzalez, Lenny Harris, and Damian Miller all in the starting lineup at the same time, well then yes, by all means we had a good offense.

[GlassCow]

Is that in 2003, on July 26 the Cubs were 51-52 and 5 and a half back of the 'Stros. I'm sure there were plenty of people who thought the Cubs were done at that point. I'm not saying the Cubs will make the playoffs, but this season is far from over as many people on this board seem to think. Even with the recent struggles, it looks like Dusty has figured out how to fill out a decent lineup, and Wood and Prior are back.

 

Now go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for being optimistic.

 

You're not being foolishly optomistic, but there is certainly no way 88 wins gets us to the postseason this year like it did in 2003. We have already played ourselves out of a chance at the division, so the wildcard is our only outlet, and we are playing lousy against the teams we need to beat to have a legitimate shot at claiming that crown. This team just isn't very good, and an appeal to the 2003 team isn't likely to change that.

[Catman61]

The 2003 team won 88 games, this year that will not be enough to win the division and 90 wins has pretty much been the minimum for the WC.

[J.R.]

We had a good offense in 03 -- this year, we don't.

 

I'm trying to patient, but it's starting to wear thin.

 

JIM, GET A BAT!!!

 

If by good offense in 2003 you mean by watching the likes of Hee Seop Choi, Bobby Hill, Alex Gonzalez, Lenny Harris, and Damian Miller all in the starting lineup at the same time, well then yes, by all means we had a good offense.

 

And Randall Simon, Tom Goodwin and Paul Bako on the bench.

 

My Lord, how did we get anywhere?

[dalgreen]

Is that in 2003, on July 26 the Cubs were 51-52 and 5 and a half back of the 'Stros. I'm sure there were plenty of people who thought the Cubs were done at that point. I'm not saying the Cubs will make the playoffs, but this season is far from over as many people on this board seem to think. Even with the recent struggles, it looks like Dusty has figured out how to fill out a decent lineup, and Wood and Prior are back.

 

Now go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for being optimistic.

 

I agree with you. And if you think about it, as bad as we've played, the parity has helped us, because we probably should be 8-10 games out of the wildcard, too.

 

But, don't worry, as has been the custom, a three game winning streak and you'll find a lot more optimistic people joining us.

[woodprior04]

Is that in 2003, on July 26 the Cubs were 51-52 and 5 and a half back of the 'Stros. I'm sure there were plenty of people who thought the Cubs were done at that point. I'm not saying the Cubs will make the playoffs, but this season is far from over as many people on this board seem to think. Even with the recent struggles, it looks like Dusty has figured out how to fill out a decent lineup, and Wood and Prior are back.

 

Now go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for being optimistic.

 

You're not being foolishly optomistic, but there is certainly no way 88 wins gets us to the postseason this year like it did in 2003. We have already played ourselves out of a chance at the division, so the wildcard is our only outlet, and we are playing lousy against the teams we need to beat to have a legitimate shot at claiming that crown. This team just isn't very good, and an appeal to the 2003 team isn't likely to change that.

 

 

No chance 88 wins gets us to the postseason? The Braves would need to go 42-37 to end up with 88 wins. They are playing in a division that doesn't have any softies like Pittsburgh or Cinci. They are relying on quite a few rookies and unproven types, and they are far from a powerhouse IMO. I just think it's foolish to count the Cubs out when there is half a season of baseball to play.

[GlassCow]

Is that in 2003, on July 26 the Cubs were 51-52 and 5 and a half back of the 'Stros. I'm sure there were plenty of people who thought the Cubs were done at that point. I'm not saying the Cubs will make the playoffs, but this season is far from over as many people on this board seem to think. Even with the recent struggles, it looks like Dusty has figured out how to fill out a decent lineup, and Wood and Prior are back.

 

Now go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for being optimistic.

 

You're not being foolishly optomistic, but there is certainly no way 88 wins gets us to the postseason this year like it did in 2003. We have already played ourselves out of a chance at the division, so the wildcard is our only outlet, and we are playing lousy against the teams we need to beat to have a legitimate shot at claiming that crown. This team just isn't very good, and an appeal to the 2003 team isn't likely to change that.

 

 

No chance 88 wins gets us to the postseason? The Braves would need to go 42-37 to end up with 88 wins. They are playing in a division that doesn't have any softies like Pittsburgh or Cinci. They are relying on quite a few rookies and unproven types, and they are far from a powerhouse IMO. I just think it's foolish to count the Cubs out when there is half a season of baseball to play.

 

If your optimism is based on Atlanta doing less than 5 over .500 for the 2nd half, I'm not sure what to tell you. Bobby Cox's teams win. Period.

[otis89]

We had a good offense in 03 -- this year, we don't.

 

I'm trying to patient, but it's starting to wear thin.

 

JIM, GET A BAT!!!

 

If by good offense in 2003 you mean by watching the likes of Hee Seop Choi, Bobby Hill, Alex Gonzalez, Lenny Harris, and Damian Miller all in the starting lineup at the same time, well then yes, by all means we had a good offense.

 

And Randall Simon, Tom Goodwin and Paul Bako on the bench.

 

My Lord, how did we get anywhere?

 

Pitching, Sammy Sosa, and Aramis Ramirez.

[woodprior04]

Is that in 2003, on July 26 the Cubs were 51-52 and 5 and a half back of the 'Stros. I'm sure there were plenty of people who thought the Cubs were done at that point. I'm not saying the Cubs will make the playoffs, but this season is far from over as many people on this board seem to think. Even with the recent struggles, it looks like Dusty has figured out how to fill out a decent lineup, and Wood and Prior are back.

 

Now go ahead and tell me how stupid I am for being optimistic.

 

You're not being foolishly optomistic, but there is certainly no way 88 wins gets us to the postseason this year like it did in 2003. We have already played ourselves out of a chance at the division, so the wildcard is our only outlet, and we are playing lousy against the teams we need to beat to have a legitimate shot at claiming that crown. This team just isn't very good, and an appeal to the 2003 team isn't likely to change that.

 

 

No chance 88 wins gets us to the postseason? The Braves would need to go 42-37 to end up with 88 wins. They are playing in a division that doesn't have any softies like Pittsburgh or Cinci. They are relying on quite a few rookies and unproven types, and they are far from a powerhouse IMO. I just think it's foolish to count the Cubs out when there is half a season of baseball to play.

 

If your optimism is based on Atlanta doing less than 5 over .500 for the 2nd half, I'm not sure what to tell you. Bobby Cox's teams win. Period.

 

You could say the same thing about Dusty Baker's teams. I am not saying Dusty (I think he's awful) is as good as Cox when it comes to managing, I just don't think a manager makes a big difference. I think Mazzone should get just as much credit as Cox, maybe more. It's up to the players to get it done.

[Outshined_One]

The average runs per game is a bit of a misnomer, imo. We've had some pretty big blowouts against some teams...and have also really sucked wind at times.

 

I gave up hope for the division awhile ago. It's like things never click together at the right time. When the starting pitching is rocking, the offense is lifeless. When the offense is producing and effective, the bullpen turns into the gascan crew. All teams this season have these problems, I will accept and admit that. Even the best teams this season have had issues.

 

The biggest problem is that for the Cubs, none of the bullpen, offense, and starting pitching has been consistently good this season. We'd be in the thick of things if, say, we had an offense that could score 10 runs on days when the pitching is thin. Or if we had pitching that could be counted on to hold down the opposing offense when our offense is sucking.

 

With Wood and Prior back, I think our pitching staff will drastically improve from here on out. The bullpen guys seem to have found their roles and are getting comfortable with them, so that's a definite plus. I think this crew can be consistent.

 

The offense just needs something, anything, to get out of its rut. A trade for a sparkplug bat to get the offense going. A bunch of the guys going out to the Wrigleyville bars to pick up some slumpbusters. A new manager who comes in and straightens everyone out.

 

Just get these guys something to get their blood flowing. The bats need to be woken up and kept awake if the Cubs want a shot at the Wild Card.

[Chris]

Don't forget that it also took some guys trying to get a goat into the game in Houston at the end of the season. :lol:

[UMFan83]

We had a good offense in 03 -- this year, we don't.

 

I'm trying to patient, but it's starting to wear thin.

 

JIM, GET A BAT!!!

 

If by good offense in 2003 you mean by watching the likes of Hee Seop Choi, Bobby Hill, Alex Gonzalez, Lenny Harris, and Damian Miller all in the starting lineup at the same time, well then yes, by all means we had a good offense.

 

And Randall Simon, Tom Goodwin and Paul Bako on the bench.

 

My Lord, how did we get anywhere?

 

Pitching, Sammy Sosa, and Aramis Ramirez.

 

I don't think Aramis did too much in the regular season. He only hit in the .250s and had average power. It wasnt until 2004 when he started playing like a stud (2001 notwithstanding)

[scs_paradise]

We had a good offense in 03 -- this year, we don't.

 

I'm trying to patient, but it's starting to wear thin.

 

JIM, GET A BAT!!!

 

If by good offense in 2003 you mean by watching the likes of Hee Seop Choi, Bobby Hill, Alex Gonzalez, Lenny Harris, and Damian Miller all in the starting lineup at the same time, well then yes, by all means we had a good offense.

 

And Randall Simon, Tom Goodwin and Paul Bako on the bench.

 

My Lord, how did we get anywhere?

 

TEAM CHEMISTRY :lol:

[Laura]

Mark Prior with an assist from Kerry Wood (and Z and Clement).

 

Unbelievable starting pitching at the end of the season.

 

And even then, by the skin of their teeth.

[littleburr24]

It seemed like Lofton and Grudz in the 1-2 spot was very powerful for the 2nd half. It seemed like every first inning we had a 1-0 lead at least. Maybe that's just me.

[TXCubsFan]

We had a good offense in 03 -- this year, we don't.

 

I'm trying to patient, but it's starting to wear thin.

 

JIM, GET A BAT!!!

 

If by good offense in 2003 you mean by watching the likes of Hee Seop Choi, Bobby Hill, Alex Gonzalez, Lenny Harris, and Damian Miller all in the starting lineup at the same time, well then yes, by all means we had a good offense.

 

And Randall Simon, Tom Goodwin and Paul Bako on the bench.

 

My Lord, how did we get anywhere?

 

We beat St. Louis 4 out of 5 in a very close series The Nats just did the same to us this weekend. The Astros choked in 2003 in the same way the Cubs choked last year. Sometimes just a few key plays can make or break a season.

[Catman61]

No chance 88 wins gets us to the postseason? The Braves would need to go 42-37 to end up with 88 wins. They are relying on quite a few rookies and unproven types, and they are far from a powerhouse IMO. I just think it's foolish to count the Cubs out when there is half a season of baseball to play.

 

Since the addition of the WC (excluding the shortened 144 game 1995 season) no NL team has won the WC with less than 90 wins

 

The Braves also have the 2nd best run differential in the NL at +67(3rd in RS, 2nd in RA)

 

They are playing in a division that doesn't have any softies like Pittsburgh or Cinci.

That may be true but their record vs the NL East is 24-18 and the Cubs record vs the NL Central is 18-15.

[polosprt009]

Having optimism is good, especially since most of us are down after slipping under .500 for the first time since the end of May. I've been losing a lot of optimism these past few weeks, but truly the season is just at it's mid-point now. Anything can happen. Our offense really isn't all that bad this season and our starting pitchers are all back in rotation, so in few weeks time we may be looking at a hotter team than what we have right now.

 

Hendry's eyes should be set on next year though by trading off a few names, making our line-up stronger for next year, and hopefully having a go at the world series. Truly, I don't see a run in the playoffs this season, but all that can change with a random hot streak.