8/6 Cubs (Maddux) @ Mets (Seo) Loss begins at 12:20 FOX

[Brian]

checking da new sig...

[CubsWin]

I'm not saying that Cubs fans don't have the right to be pessimistic and have their opinions be not balanced out by some of the positives out there. I'm simply saying that pessimistic view points are by definition not balanced ones.

 

This Game Thread belongs in Rants. Thats sad.

I personally have the expectation that if the Cubs play a game as crappy as the one they just played, the game thread will almost always belong in rants at the end.

Why? Because each single game tells us how the next one is likely to go? How the rest of the season is going to go?

[sethuel1]

I'm not saying that Cubs fans don't have the right to be pessimistic and have their opinions be not balanced out by some of the positives out there. I'm simply saying that pessimistic view points are by definition not balanced ones.

 

This Game Thread belongs in Rants. Thats sad.

I personally have the expectation that if the Cubs play a game as crappy as the one they just played, the game thread will almost always belong in rants at the end.

Why? Because each single game tells us how the next one is likely to go? How the rest of the season is going to go?

 

No, because when the Cubs play like crap everyone sits in the game thread and bitches about them.

[OldHappyCubFan]

How anybody can defend the Cobs is beyond me.

 

 

 

Face it, this team SUCKS, and will not win the WS this year.

 

Thats all that matters.

[CubsWin]

I'm not saying that Cubs fans don't have the right to be pessimistic and have their opinions be not balanced out by some of the positives out there. I'm simply saying that pessimistic view points are by definition not balanced ones.

 

This Game Thread belongs in Rants. Thats sad.

I personally have the expectation that if the Cubs play a game as crappy as the one they just played, the game thread will almost always belong in rants at the end.

Why? Because each single game tells us how the next one is likely to go? How the rest of the season is going to go?

 

No, because when the Cubs play like crap everyone sits in the game thread and bitches about them.

No, not everyone, only the ones that can't see the forest for the trees...

[sethuel1]

I'm not saying that Cubs fans don't have the right to be pessimistic and have their opinions be not balanced out by some of the positives out there. I'm simply saying that pessimistic view points are by definition not balanced ones.

 

This Game Thread belongs in Rants. Thats sad.

I personally have the expectation that if the Cubs play a game as crappy as the one they just played, the game thread will almost always belong in rants at the end.

Why? Because each single game tells us how the next one is likely to go? How the rest of the season is going to go?

 

No, because when the Cubs play like crap everyone sits in the game thread and bitches about them.

No, not everyone, only the ones that can't see the forest for the trees...

 

Look, I know you think I'm unrealistic here. I don't really care. If you want me to stop posting in game threads because I'm depressing you, just say so.

[CubsWin]

How anybody can defend the Cobs is beyond me.

 

 

 

Face it, this team SUCKS, and will not win the WS this year.

 

Thats all that matters.

Face it, you are being pessimistic right now and your opinions are not being influenced by any of the postives out there about this team.

 

What you wrote was an opinion and a very well supported one and one that I happen to agree with so long as they keep going they way they are.

 

I can make a very sound argument that what I wrote is a fact.

[rickrolled]

I think anybody that believes the Cubs are going to make the playoffs is gonna be dissapointed by the end of the season.

 

It's not just one game or one week. They've been playing this way all season.

[CubsWin]

I'm not saying that Cubs fans don't have the right to be pessimistic and have their opinions be not balanced out by some of the positives out there. I'm simply saying that pessimistic view points are by definition not balanced ones.

 

This Game Thread belongs in Rants. Thats sad.

I personally have the expectation that if the Cubs play a game as crappy as the one they just played, the game thread will almost always belong in rants at the end.

Why? Because each single game tells us how the next one is likely to go? How the rest of the season is going to go?

 

No, because when the Cubs play like crap everyone sits in the game thread and bitches about them.

No, not everyone, only the ones that can't see the forest for the trees...

 

Look, I know you think I'm unrealistic here. I don't really care. If you want me to stop posting in game threads because I'm depressing you, just say so.

No, I don't want you to stop posting in game threads or any other for that matter. And I don't know why you think that I would.

 

Just because someone calls your opinion unbalanced towards the negative doesn't mean that they want you to stop saying it. If there is anything I do want is for you to acknowledge that your opinions expressed in the last few pages of this thread were in fact not balanced out by any of the positives about the Cubs, thats all. But I certainly don't expect that to happen.

[sethuel1]

I'm not saying that Cubs fans don't have the right to be pessimistic and have their opinions be not balanced out by some of the positives out there. I'm simply saying that pessimistic view points are by definition not balanced ones.

 

This Game Thread belongs in Rants. Thats sad.

I personally have the expectation that if the Cubs play a game as crappy as the one they just played, the game thread will almost always belong in rants at the end.

Why? Because each single game tells us how the next one is likely to go? How the rest of the season is going to go?

 

No, because when the Cubs play like crap everyone sits in the game thread and bitches about them.

No, not everyone, only the ones that can't see the forest for the trees...

 

Look, I know you think I'm unrealistic here. I don't really care. If you want me to stop posting in game threads because I'm depressing you, just say so.

No, I don't want you to stop posting in game threads or any other for that matter. And I don't know why you think that I would.

 

Just because someone calls your opinion unbalanced towards the negative doesn't mean that they want you to stop saying it. If there is anything I do want is for you to acknowledge that your opinions expressed in the last few pages of this thread were in fact not balanced out by any of the positives about the Cubs, thats all. But I certainly don't expect that to happen.

 

please name the positives.

[gflore34]

I'm not saying that Cubs fans don't have the right to be pessimistic and have their opinions be not balanced out by some of the positives out there. I'm simply saying that pessimistic view points are by definition not balanced ones.

 

This Game Thread belongs in Rants. Thats sad.

I personally have the expectation that if the Cubs play a game as crappy as the one they just played, the game thread will almost always belong in rants at the end.

Why? Because each single game tells us how the next one is likely to go? How the rest of the season is going to go?

 

No, because when the Cubs play like crap everyone sits in the game thread and bitches about them.

No, not everyone, only the ones that can't see the forest for the trees...

 

Look, I know you think I'm unrealistic here. I don't really care. If you want me to stop posting in game threads because I'm depressing you, just say so.

No, I don't want you to stop posting in game threads or any other for that matter. And I don't know why you think that I would.

 

Just because someone calls your opinion unbalanced towards the negative doesn't mean that they want you to stop saying it. If there is anything I do want is for you to acknowledge that your opinions expressed in the last few pages of this thread were in fact not balanced out by any of the positives about the Cubs, thats all. But I certainly don't expect that to happen.

 

please name the positives.

 

This should be good...

[Transmogrified Tiger]

please name the positives.

 

From today:

 

Maddux pitched well

Ohman pitched well(he's been a nice surprise this year)

Murton and Cedeno didn't overexert themselves

Dusty didn't stupidly pitch Wood or Williamson on consecutive days

 

There weren't a lot of positives today.

[CubsWin]

I think anybody that believes the Cubs are going to make the playoffs is gonna be dissapointed by the end of the season.

 

It's not just one game or one week. They've been playing this way all season.

When you say "this way" what do you mean? The way they have been playing all season has been up and down. Right now they are down. What makes some people think that they will never go up again? And what makes some people convinced that only the Astros can perform poorly at one point in the season and then turn it around? I look at the Astros and say if they can do it, so can the Cubs. Why do some people look at the Astros and say, "See the Astros are better than the Cubs and will never come back to earth"?

 

Its pessimism, pure and simple. Is that wrong? No. Should people not be allowed to be pessimistic? Of course, they should be allowed to be what ever way they want. All I'm saying is, let's call black, black and white, white.

 

Its not optimistic to say that the Cubs are playing crappy right now, but the season isn't over yet since they have already shown the ability to follow up a losing streak with an equally good winning streak and have just added Lawton and Nomar to their line-up and Williamson and Wood to their pen. It is reasonable to think that those four additions to the team could cause different results over time. Thus, lets sit back and see what happens, and, right now, they are playing like crap.

 

However, by definition, it is pessimistic to say that the season is over.

[Balsa]

Can I ask a favor of people? Can we not have pyramid quotes half a page long? Just select the last quote...thanks.

 

That being said, not only is the season ruined for us, Maddog will probably fail to get 15 wins this year and it won't be because of his pitching.

[sethuel1]

Ok, here's what i see. A team with 2 great hitters (Ramirez, Lee), one of whom is slumping, and another solid top of the order guy that's slumping right now (Walker). We have a question mark coming back at short who I don't expect much out of. Everyone else on the offense is average at best hitting-wise and has trouble getting on base (save the newly acquired Lawton). overall, our offense is average, as the higher than average power is offset by the lack of OBP.

 

In terms of pitching, we have two solid top-of-the-rotation starters in prior and Zambrano who are slightly underachieving this year. We have another top-of-the-rotation starter that's injured and has to throw from the bullpen, making him a question mark. All of our other starters are either unproven or below-average. Our bullpen gives up more walks than any other bullpen save one, and our closer is very solid. it has a couple of bright spots in ohman and Dempster, but other than that cannot be leaned on at all. Our bullpen would be closer to middle-of-the-road if played correctly, which it is not.

 

Our bench would also be middle-of-the-road if played correctly, which it is not.

[Balsa]

I think the reason people think the Astros won't come back to earth is because they have had good pitching all year, just no offense to back it up on the road. Plus, the Astros were about as close as we were in 2003 to the World Series. This is exactly the time teams need to take off for the Wild Card, and the Astros are in space.

[sethuel1]

Also, if it were just the Astros ahead of us, i wouldn't be "pessimistic". But the truth of the matter is the Cubs have 6 teams ahead of them. The Marlins have underachieved, and I expect them to do better. Philly has underachieved. For the Cubs to pass 6 teams is a monumental task.

[CubsWin]

please name the positives.

I have been throughout the last few pages.

 

This team has shown that they have the ability to come back after a losing streak with an equally good winning streak. They have a very good roster and have been underperforming so far this season. They have just added Lawton and Nomar to the offense and Williamson and Wood to the bullpen and there are good reasons, statistical reasons to think that their additions can positively affect the ability of this team to win games.

 

Do you need more?

[CubsWin]

Also, if it were just the Astros ahead of us, i wouldn't be "pessimistic". But the truth of the matter is the Cubs have 6 teams ahead of them. The Marlins have underachieved, and I expect them to do better. Philly has underachieved. For the Cubs to pass 6 teams is a monumental task.

but most of those teams ahead of the Cubs are in the same division and will be playing each other and could cancel each other out. And the Cubs could have a lot of them in their rear view mirror in a week. I'm not saying they will, I don't know if they will, but it is possible. It would be different if 2 of the teams ahead of the Cubs were in the West and 2 were in the East, but thats not the case.

[rickrolled]

I think anybody that believes the Cubs are going to make the playoffs is gonna be dissapointed by the end of the season.

 

It's not just one game or one week. They've been playing this way all season.

When you say "this way" what do you mean? The way they have been playing all season has been up and down. Right now they are down. What makes some people think that they will never go up again? And what makes some people convinced that only the Astros can perform poorly at one point in the season and then turn it around? I look at the Astros and say if they can do it, so can the Cubs. Why do some people look at the Astros and say, "See the Astros are better than the Cubs and will never come back to earth"?

 

Its pessimism, pure and simple. Is that wrong? No. Should people not be allowed to be pessimistic? Of course, they should be allowed to be what ever way they want. All I'm saying is, let's call black, black and white, white.

 

Its not optimistic to say that the Cubs are playing crappy right now, but the season isn't over yet since they have already shown the ability to follow up a losing streak with an equally good winning streak and have just added Lawton and Nomar to their line-up and Williamson and Wood to their pen. It is reasonable to think that those four additions to the team could cause different results over time. Thus, lets sit back and see what happens, and, right now, they are playing like crap.

 

However, by definition, it is pessimistic to say that the season is over.

 

No, they've been playing around .500 ball all year long. Even when they were playing well, they'd get to around 6 games over .500 and then go on a losing streak and fall back to the .500 mark.

 

I'm not being pessimistic...I'm just being realistic. They just don't play consistently enough to make the playoffs. They'll look really good for a stretch of games, kinda like how we were playing well after the ASB ended, going 9-4 against PIT, CIN, STL, SF, and then look terrible, like when we lost 3 of 4 to Arizona and now we've lost the first 2 to NY.

 

I just don't see this team making the playoffs and I don't see what makes people believe it is a playoff team.

[sethuel1]

please name the positives.

I have been throughout the last few pages.

 

This team has shown that they have the ability to come back after a losing streak with an equally good winning streak. They have a very good roster and have been underperforming so far this season. They have just added Lawton and Nomar to the offense and Williamson and Wood to the bullpen and there are good reasons, statistical reasons to think that their additions can positively affect the ability of this team to win games.

 

Do you need more?

See, I don't think the offesne has been underperforming at all this year. if anything, the offense has been overachieving statistically.

 

The only players I think have underperformed are Zambrano and Prior, and they haven't underperformed to the extent that Lee has overachieved.

[CubsWin]

I think anybody that believes the Cubs are going to make the playoffs is gonna be dissapointed by the end of the season.

 

It's not just one game or one week. They've been playing this way all season.

When you say "this way" what do you mean? The way they have been playing all season has been up and down. Right now they are down. What makes some people think that they will never go up again? And what makes some people convinced that only the Astros can perform poorly at one point in the season and then turn it around? I look at the Astros and say if they can do it, so can the Cubs. Why do some people look at the Astros and say, "See the Astros are better than the Cubs and will never come back to earth"?

 

Its pessimism, pure and simple. Is that wrong? No. Should people not be allowed to be pessimistic? Of course, they should be allowed to be what ever way they want. All I'm saying is, let's call black, black and white, white.

 

Its not optimistic to say that the Cubs are playing crappy right now, but the season isn't over yet since they have already shown the ability to follow up a losing streak with an equally good winning streak and have just added Lawton and Nomar to their line-up and Williamson and Wood to their pen. It is reasonable to think that those four additions to the team could cause different results over time. Thus, lets sit back and see what happens, and, right now, they are playing like crap.

 

However, by definition, it is pessimistic to say that the season is over.

 

No, they've been playing around .500 ball all year long. Even when they were playing well, they'd get to around 6 games over .500 and then go on a losing streak and fall back to the .500 mark.

 

I'm not being pessimistic...I'm just being realistic. They just don't play consistently enough to make the playoffs. They'll look really good for a stretch of games, kinda like how we were playing well after the ASB ended, going 9-4 against PIT, CIN, STL, SF, and then look terrible, like when we lost 3 of 4 to Arizona and now we've lost the first 2 to NY.

 

I just don't see this team making the playoffs and I don't see what makes people believe it is a playoff team.

Thats what I said. They have been playing around .500 all year. They go up 5 games and then down 5 games.

 

When you said they have been playing this way all year, what did you mean by "this way"? Did you mean how they played today? The last 4 or 5 games? What...

[rickrolled]

I think anybody that believes the Cubs are going to make the playoffs is gonna be dissapointed by the end of the season.

 

It's not just one game or one week. They've been playing this way all season.

When you say "this way" what do you mean? The way they have been playing all season has been up and down. Right now they are down. What makes some people think that they will never go up again? And what makes some people convinced that only the Astros can perform poorly at one point in the season and then turn it around? I look at the Astros and say if they can do it, so can the Cubs. Why do some people look at the Astros and say, "See the Astros are better than the Cubs and will never come back to earth"?

 

Its pessimism, pure and simple. Is that wrong? No. Should people not be allowed to be pessimistic? Of course, they should be allowed to be what ever way they want. All I'm saying is, let's call black, black and white, white.

 

Its not optimistic to say that the Cubs are playing crappy right now, but the season isn't over yet since they have already shown the ability to follow up a losing streak with an equally good winning streak and have just added Lawton and Nomar to their line-up and Williamson and Wood to their pen. It is reasonable to think that those four additions to the team could cause different results over time. Thus, lets sit back and see what happens, and, right now, they are playing like crap.

 

However, by definition, it is pessimistic to say that the season is over.

 

No, they've been playing around .500 ball all year long. Even when they were playing well, they'd get to around 6 games over .500 and then go on a losing streak and fall back to the .500 mark.

 

I'm not being pessimistic...I'm just being realistic. They just don't play consistently enough to make the playoffs. They'll look really good for a stretch of games, kinda like how we were playing well after the ASB ended, going 9-4 against PIT, CIN, STL, SF, and then look terrible, like when we lost 3 of 4 to Arizona and now we've lost the first 2 to NY.

 

I just don't see this team making the playoffs and I don't see what makes people believe it is a playoff team.

Thats what I said. They have been playing around .500 all year. They go up 5 games and then down 5 games.

 

When you said they have been playing this way all year, what did you mean by "this way"? Did you mean how they played today? The last 4 or 5 games? What...

 

I meant how up and down they have been all season long.

[CubsWin]

See, I don't think the offesne has been underperforming at all this year. if anything, the offense has been overachieving statistically.

 

The only players I think have underperformed are Zambrano and Prior, and they haven't underperformed to the extent that Lee has overachieved.

Corey didn't underperform? Nomar didn't underperform? Hollandsworth and Dubois didn't underperform? Hairston didn't underpeform? One could make the argument that Burnitz has underperformed as well?

 

Wellemeyer and Leicester didn't underperform? Wood didn't underperform?

 

What team are you watching?

[sethuel1]

In order to take the wild card, the Cubs need to go at least 36-16 over our last 52 games. We're playing St. Louis and Houston 20 times in that stretch. We're also throwing Williams, Maddux and Hill 3 out of every 5 games. Derrek Lee is coming back to earth quickly. Burnitz is reverting to his last three years self. In my opinion, any gains from Nomar and Lawton will probably be mostly offset by those two.

 

Thus, I don't see a wild-card berth in the future.