7/16 Cubs(Maddux) vs. Pirates (Duke). 3:05 WGN. Riiiiight.

[Soul]

People keep talking about how Dusty sucks, or how we're set to "make a run."

 

It's silly. This is a .500 ballclub. Has been since the beginning. We're playing exactly as we should folks. No better, no worse.

 

I'm sorry, but that's BS. We have a better team than most of teams ahead of us in the WC. Do we have a division winning team? probably not. But we have more than .500 talent.

 

I simply disagree. One of the worst outfields in baseball, and a bullpen that's very, very shaky. It's a .500 ballclub, or thereabouts.

[XZero771679666304]

Hey, at least we have Big Z coming out to stop the losing at 1 game. You gotta like the way the starters are going right now. Maddux kept 'em in the game. Being three down in the 9th is at least manageable.

 

We'll Have Z tomorrow, and then Williams, Prior, Wood, and Maddux against the Reds. I like the odds!

 

So if Z would have pitched today, we lose what? 1-0?

 

What's the difference?

 

We would have lost either way. But 5 out of the last six isn't bad. I had a feeling that we would lose today.

[Soul]

People keep talking about how Dusty sucks, or how we're set to "make a run."

 

It's silly. This is a .500 ballclub. Has been since the beginning. We're playing exactly as we should folks. No better, no worse.

 

are you sure it isn't a .520 team, or a .480 team? I find it hard to believe this team was destined to win just as many as it lost.

 

Oh, OK Mr. picky :roll:

 

It's *around* a .500 ballclub.

[PackLandVA]

Hey, at least we have Big Z coming out to stop the losing at 1 game. You gotta like the way the starters are going right now. Maddux kept 'em in the game. Being three down in the 9th is at least manageable.

 

We'll Have Z tomorrow, and then Williams, Prior, Wood, and Maddux against the Reds. I like the odds!

 

So if Z would have pitched today, we lose what? 1-0?

 

What's the difference?

 

The difference is, Z is going tomorrow. And that means they've got a good shot to win....again. And taking 3 of 4 from the Pirates is exactly what the Cubs could use. Asking for a sweep is not realistic. Three game sweeps rarely happen, let alone 4.

 

Go out and take 3 of 4 from Pittsburgh, and then 3 of 4 from the Reds. If they do that, then they're headed in the right direction going into the Cards series.

[Soul]

Hey, at least we have Big Z coming out to stop the losing at 1 game. You gotta like the way the starters are going right now. Maddux kept 'em in the game. Being three down in the 9th is at least manageable.

 

We'll Have Z tomorrow, and then Williams, Prior, Wood, and Maddux against the Reds. I like the odds!

 

So if Z would have pitched today, we lose what? 1-0?

 

What's the difference?

 

The difference is, Z is going tomorrow. And that means they've got a good shot to win....again. And taking 3 of 4 from the Pirates is exactly what the Cubs could use. Asking for a sweep is not realistic. Three game sweeps rarely happen, let alone 4.

 

Go out and take 3 of 4 from Pittsburgh, and then 3 of 4 from the Reds. If they do that, then they're headed in the right direction going into the Cards series.

 

Of course, and we should beat those teams 3/4. But we have lots of games left against the Cards & Stros too. And I'm sorry, but we aren't as good a ballclub as the Cards---they will eat us alive. And the Stros? I hope they slow down, but who knows? We might be as good or a little better than them, I'm not sure yet.

[UMFan83]

Hey, at least we have Big Z coming out to stop the losing at 1 game. You gotta like the way the starters are going right now. Maddux kept 'em in the game. Being three down in the 9th is at least manageable.

 

We'll Have Z tomorrow, and then Williams, Prior, Wood, and Maddux against the Reds. I like the odds!

 

Unless Bad Z shows up

[Soul]

What were the odds with Maddux pitching today against the Pirates? And how did it turn out?

 

Williams + Maddux going against the Reds? I smell a split.

[XZero771679666304]

People keep talking about how Dusty sucks, or how we're set to "make a run."

 

It's silly. This is a .500 ballclub. Has been since the beginning. We're playing exactly as we should folks. No better, no worse.

 

I'm sorry, but that's BS. We have a better team than most of teams ahead of us in the WC. Do we have a division winning team? probably not. But we have more than .500 talent.

 

I simply disagree. One of the worst outfields in baseball, and a bullpen that's very, very shaky. It's a .500 ballclub, or thereabouts.

 

We have a better roster than Atlanta, and look at them. We have a better roster than Houston, Philly and the Mets. The Cubs now have the best rotation talent-wise in the league and a lineup with 2 .350+ OBP guys at the top and 2 consitent thumpers following them. We have a good offensive catcher and a good RF. So what if the outfield isn't that good when you have one of the best offensive infields in the game?

 

This team has the talent to win. Mismanagement and lack of execution are the problem, not the lack of talent.

[XZero771679666304]

What were the odds with Maddux pitching today against the Pirates? And how did it turn out?

 

Williams + Maddux going against the Reds? I smell a split.

 

Against the Reds? Williams and Maddux may give up some runs, but you can't forget that despite today's game the Cubs offense has been hot and the Reds can't pitch.

[Soul]

People keep talking about how Dusty sucks, or how we're set to "make a run."

 

It's silly. This is a .500 ballclub. Has been since the beginning. We're playing exactly as we should folks. No better, no worse.

 

I'm sorry, but that's BS. We have a better team than most of teams ahead of us in the WC. Do we have a division winning team? probably not. But we have more than .500 talent.

 

I simply disagree. One of the worst outfields in baseball, and a bullpen that's very, very shaky. It's a .500 ballclub, or thereabouts.

 

We have a better roster than Atlanta, and look at them. We have a better roster than Houston, Philly and the Mets. The Cubs now have the best rotation talent-wise in the league and a lineup with 2 .350+ OBP guys at the top and 2 consitent thumpers following them. We have a good offensive catcher and a good RF. So what if the outfield isn't that good when you have one of the best offensive infields in the game?

 

This team has the talent to win. Mismanagement and lack of execution are the problem, not the lack of talent.

 

Yeah, but the Braves always overachieve in the regular season. You know that. Plus, they'll win the East. Nationals will fade. It's us, Florida, and the Nationals for the Wild Card.

 

We're better than the Nationals but they've got the magic dust. Florida has a better roster than we do, they've been scuffling but watch out late.

 

Houston better slow down or they'll finish better than us despite having a lesser roster. And I'm not totally convinced the *are* worse than us roster-wise

 

I don't see us finishing better than 6 or 7 games over .500 It's not going to be enough at any rate. We will see----I just don't see it. We're throwing Cedeno, Murton, and Greenberg out there on a regular basis. Burnitz & Hairston are considered "solid starters" on this team. Neifi Perez is our "bench depth." Why are you convinced this team has an abundance of talent? We really don't.

[XZero771679666304]

People keep talking about how Dusty sucks, or how we're set to "make a run."

 

It's silly. This is a .500 ballclub. Has been since the beginning. We're playing exactly as we should folks. No better, no worse.

 

I'm sorry, but that's BS. We have a better team than most of teams ahead of us in the WC. Do we have a division winning team? probably not. But we have more than .500 talent.

 

I simply disagree. One of the worst outfields in baseball, and a bullpen that's very, very shaky. It's a .500 ballclub, or thereabouts.

 

We have a better roster than Atlanta, and look at them. We have a better roster than Houston, Philly and the Mets. The Cubs now have the best rotation talent-wise in the league and a lineup with 2 .350+ OBP guys at the top and 2 consitent thumpers following them. We have a good offensive catcher and a good RF. So what if the outfield isn't that good when you have one of the best offensive infields in the game?

 

This team has the talent to win. Mismanagement and lack of execution are the problem, not the lack of talent.

 

Yeah, but the Braves always overachieve in the regular season. You know that. Plus, they'll win the East. Nationals will fade. It's us, Florida, and the Nationals for the Wild Card.

 

We're better than the Nationals but they've got the magic dust. Florida has a better roster than we do, they've been scuffling but watch out late.

 

Houston better slow down or they'll finish better than us despite having a lesser roster. And I'm not totally convinced the *are* worse than us roster-wise

 

I don't see us finishing better than 6 or 7 games over .500 It's not going to be enough at any rate. We will see----I just don't see it. We're throwing Cedeno, Murton, and Greenberg out there on a regular basis. Burnitz & Hairston are considered "solid starters" on this team. Neifi Perez is our "bench depth." Why are you convinced this team has an abundance of talent? We really don't.

 

Did I say an abundance? No. Enough to win the majority of the games we play with our rotation? Definitely. How many more games would the Cubs have won if Dempster was the closer, Rusch a starter and Hawkins and Fox setup men from the get go? You see, the Cubs struggles have not been a talent issue.

 

Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddux and Williams are the best rotation in the league, talent wise. Our bullben is shaky, but is a good set-up man from being good with the emergence of Dempster.

 

Hairston and Walker are good table setters. Lee is all world. Ramirez is a consistant all star slugger. Burnitz is a streak slugger who consistantly gets on base. Barrett is an above average offensive catcher. Neifi sucks and Holla is below average.

 

That is enough talent to win games. You say Atlanta overachieves, and you are right. But isn't that my point? If the Cubs even performed in a manner consistent with their talent level, they would have won many more games so far. This isn't about magic dust. It is about maximizing your talent. We haven't, but that doesn't mean we aren't good enough to win.

 

As for Houston, they will fade. Go take a look at who they put their "streak" together against. When they hit a tough stretch, they are going right back where they came from. And if you can compare their roster to ours (especially their offense) and tell me it's equal or better than ours, I think you're nuts.

 

And Greenberg has been "thrown out there on a regular basis"? One AB? And Cedeno on a regular basis? I don't think so.

 

If Hendry aquires a LF, which is likely, Holla goes back to the bench. When Nomar comes back, as it appears he will, Neifi goes to the bench. Then you have a bench of Holla, Grieve, Neifi, Macias and Blanco. That is a good bench.

 

The Cubs don't have the greates team, but things are not as bleak as you make them out to be.

[ltb]

We're throwing Cedeno, Murton, and Greenberg out there on a regular basis.

 

dusty? is that you?

 

i don't see how you can possibly say greenberg is being "thrown out there" on a regular basis - he had one PA and went to the DL!

 

murton is the only one who's got anything resembling playing time, and that's only because we've been up against a bunch of lefties lately. as soon as the righties come back, it's hollandsworth all the time.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Yeah, but the Braves always overachieve in the regular season. You know that. Plus, they'll win the East. Nationals will fade. It's us, Florida, and the Nationals for the Wild Card.

 

We're better than the Nationals but they've got the magic dust. Florida has a better roster than we do, they've been scuffling but watch out late.

 

Houston better slow down or they'll finish better than us despite having a lesser roster. And I'm not totally convinced the *are* worse than us roster-wise

 

I don't see us finishing better than 6 or 7 games over .500 It's not going to be enough at any rate. We will see----I just don't see it. We're throwing Cedeno, Murton, and Greenberg out there on a regular basis. Burnitz & Hairston are considered "solid starters" on this team. Neifi Perez is our "bench depth." Why are you convinced this team has an abundance of talent? We really don't.

 

Soul.... I think you're overstating your case on this point. These totals through 6 games hardly constitute playing on a "regular basis".

 

07/08 - 07/16      AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Cedeno              9    1    3    0    0    0    3    0    1    1  0.333  0.400  0.333  0.733
Murton             12    2    3    1    0    0    4    1    2    2  0.250  0.333  0.333  0.667
Greenberg           0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0  0.000  1.000  0.000  1.000

[Fro]

We should have scored a couple runs today, but Zach Duke is a very good young pitcher and will keep giving teams fits if his minor league numbers are any indication.

 

Tommorrow's game is key. I know we'd love to go on a 15-game winning streak but that's not likely to happen.

 

We need to go about .650 or better the rest of the way to have a good shot at the Wild Card, or win about 2 out of 3.

[neely crenshaw]

why is this maddux' fault? he pitched great and we couldn't score. 2 earned runs in 8 should net a pitcher a win!

 

plain and simple this is not a great line up if you think it is, you are crazy.

minus the starting pitching we are bad. our outfield is the worst in the nl save for colorado. our ss is at least bottom half. we have a decent 2b, we have very good corners and a decent catcher. a weak bench. we are an above .500 team simply because of starters and playing in the central.

[Soul]

We're throwing Cedeno, Murton, and Greenberg out there on a regular basis.

 

dusty? is that you?

 

i don't see how you can possibly say greenberg is being "thrown out there" on a regular basis - he had one PA and went to the DL!

 

murton is the only one who's got anything resembling playing time, and that's only because we've been up against a bunch of lefties lately. as soon as the righties come back, it's hollandsworth all the time.

 

LOL. Oh yeah WOW. Can't wait for Holly to come back and save us :roll:

[Soul]

why is this maddux' fault? he pitched great and we couldn't score. 2 earned runs in 8 should net a pitcher a win!

 

plain and simple this is not a great line up if you think it is, you are crazy.

minus the starting pitching we are bad. our outfield is the worst in the nl save for colorado. our ss is at least bottom half. we have a decent 2b, we have very good corners and a decent catcher. a weak bench. we are an above .500 team simply because of starters and playing in the central.

 

I understand that the starting pitching pulls us up some. But hey man---are you 100% sure we're going to keep this rotation intact for the entire 2nd half? And if so, what makes you think that? It's been one injury after another with these guys. Maybe they just don't have what it takes to be consistent major-league starters.

 

I'm glad they're all pitching at the same time again. But let's be realistic. The history shows one or more will go down again.

[GodLuvsCubs]

why is this maddux' fault? he pitched great and we couldn't score. 2 earned runs in 8 should net a pitcher a win!

 

plain and simple this is not a great line up if you think it is, you are crazy.

minus the starting pitching we are bad. our outfield is the worst in the nl save for colorado. our ss is at least bottom half. we have a decent 2b, we have very good corners and a decent catcher. a weak bench. we are an above .500 team simply because of starters and playing in the central.

 

I understand that the starting pitching pulls us up some. But hey man---are you 100% sure we're going to keep this rotation intact for the entire 2nd half? And if so, what makes you think that? It's been one injury after another with these guys. Maybe they just don't have what it takes to be consistent major-league starters.

 

I'm glad they're all pitching at the same time again. But let's be realistic. The history shows one or more will go down again.

 

Wow Soul. You are a negative nancy. I hope everyone around here isn't that way!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

why is this maddux' fault? he pitched great and we couldn't score. 2 earned runs in 8 should net a pitcher a win!

 

plain and simple this is not a great line up if you think it is, you are crazy.

minus the starting pitching we are bad. our outfield is the worst in the nl save for colorado. our ss is at least bottom half. we have a decent 2b, we have very good corners and a decent catcher. a weak bench. we are an above .500 team simply because of starters and playing in the central.

 

I understand that the starting pitching pulls us up some. But hey man---are you 100% sure we're going to keep this rotation intact for the entire 2nd half? And if so, what makes you think that? It's been one injury after another with these guys. Maybe they just don't have what it takes to be consistent major-league starters.

 

I'm glad they're all pitching at the same time again. But let's be realistic. The history shows one or more will go down again.

 

Wow Soul. You are a negative nancy. I hope everyone around here isn't that way!

 

No, many try to keep a positive outlook. However, all of us are required to refrain from statements that attack the person instead of the argument. I know it was in good fun, just giving you a heads up. Check out the Member Guidelines or contact a Moderator or Admin if you have any problems. Doh, I forgot the most important part, Welcome to the Forum!

[Jon]

Craig Wilson will miss most of the rest of the season after Maddux's pitch broke his hand today.

[Coach C]

Craig Wilson will miss most of the rest of the season after Maddux's pitch broke his hand today.

 

Well I'll be. Now I wonder if he regretted for standing there. It just seemed like he never even bothered to attempt to get away from it.

[PackLandVA]

Craig Wilson will miss most of the rest of the season after Maddux's pitch broke his hand today.

 

Does Maddux even throw that hard?!?!? :shock:

[EastonBlues22]

CUBS are 1-0 when they've won their previous 5 games

 

Wow. You never cease to amaze me Fred.

 

Ya know, sometimes I even surprise myself ! :wink:

 

mhuber92211 asked me if I could find a way to track such things..... and by golly, I figured it out.

 

Ahem...I believe that was me 8)

 

But anyway...have you come up with something terms of strength of the streak, or is it just the Cubs chances after a win or after a loss?

 

Sherwood.... yes, indeed that was you. Forgive me for my "senior moment" there. :wink:

 

not sure how you would define the strength of a streak, I'm just taking the CUBS' W/L record after a win, after 2 wins, after 3 wins...... and coversely after a loss, 2 losses...... etc, etc.

 

                    W    L     pct
after 9 losses      0    0   0.000
after 8 losses      1    0   1.000
after 7 losses      1    1   0.500
after 6 losses      0    2   0.000
after 5 losses      0    2   0.000
after 4 losses      1    2   0.333
after 3 losses      2    3   0.400
after 2 losses      7    5   0.583
after 1 loss        5   12   0.294
First game          1    0   1.000
after 1 win        14    4   0.778
after 2 wins        6    8   0.429
after 3 wins        3    3   0.500
after 4 wins        2    1   0.667
after 5 wins        1    0   1.000
after 6 wins        1    0   1.000
after 7 wins        0    1   0.000
after 8 wins        0    0   0.000
after 9 wins        0    0   0.000
after 10 wins       0    0   0.000

So let me get this straight...according to that table, winning is generally the best predictor for winning?

 

There seems like there should be more to it than that.

 

:wink:

 

:lol:

[Fred Hornkohl]

So let me get this straight...according to that table, winning is generally the best predictor for winning?

 

There seems like there should be more to it than that.

 

:wink:

 

:lol:

 

I've made no statistical inferences, or made any claims of predictive ablility, either stated or implied. Remember, the name of this bit is "Worthless Stats of the Day".

[EastonBlues22]

So let me get this straight...according to that table, winning is generally the best predictor for winning?

 

There seems like there should be more to it than that.

 

:wink:

 

:lol:

 

I've made no statistical inferences, or made any claims of predictive ablility, either stated or implied. Remember, the name of this bit is "Worthless Stats of the Day".

I know you didn't, I didn't really mean anything by it. I just couldn't help but laugh when I saw the chart and thought that when reading through the game thread.

 

BTW: Your posts are routinely a highlight of the thread. I was telling my girlfriend about you just now as I was reading along, but I don't think she shares my amusement. I think I'll mock her now and defend your honor.

 

Now she's hitting me with a pillow...I think my laughing at her isn't helping the situation.

 

Oops, now she's switching to a sandal...gotta go. :lol: