Sammy Sofa

I'm expecting Russell to kick ass and Soler to be the Cubs' version of Spinal Tap's drummer.

https://youtu.be/3ImKYnUhmWQ

It drives me nuts when people hem and haw about the Cardinals' luck and "pixie dust," but last year really was a case of that kind of coming true, both in terms of their offense and pitching. It wasn't a matter of something teachable or signable; they had a LOT of luck. And as unlikely as it was for them to pull that off for most of one season, it becomes absurdly unlikely to think they'll somehow do it again the next season. The Cardinals didn't stumble across some mystic equation that cracks the BABIP code or allows them to strand runners practically at will. If the Cardinals win more than 85 games this year, it's not going to be a repeat of how they won as many games as they did last year. BABIP can be a huge factor. Some guys are good enough to maintain success with a high BABIP, but most tend to come back to Earth. It's not like they're being projected to fall off of a cliff. And people think you're a "secret" Cardinals fan because basically all you post about is how good you think the Cardinals will be. To expand, these guys didn't even carry BABIPs like that in the minors. There are hundreds of ABs we have data on them from their time in the minors, and they didn't prove to be some of those guys that can maintain high BABIPs during this time. Why should we believe that they suddenly figured out how to do so at a much tougher level? Also, it's not just the BABIP. They also carried higher ISOs than they ever did in the minors. And, I mean, it was like 250-300 PAs for both of them. If you want to draw some sweeping conclusion from 300 plate appearances that these guys just suddenly improved everything about their offensive games, despite facing tougher pitching than they've ever seen, then, sure, go for it. But, I'm a little more reticent to do so, as are the projections. Also, these guys are like 25 and were never top prospects. Sure, they might pull a Matt Carpenter. But, I'm really not that worried. Give me the 21- 22-year-old kids like Schwarber and Russell that have always been viewed as uber-talents and have always put up monster numbers throughout the minors as more likely to exceed projections. And even if Piscotty and Grichuk are to maintain those excessive spikes in BABIP and ISO and replicate their success from last year, who gives a [expletive]? The Cards would still be, like, 10 games worse than us. In conclusion, I have to agree, if this guy is a Cubs fan and has been paying attention to any of the events of the last year or so, then he is either completely un-discerning or the world's biggest pessimist. Otherwise, he is definitely a Cardinals fan. http://i.giphy.com/sUnUMs1c0OeQ.gif

It drives me nuts when people hem and haw about the Cardinals' luck and "pixie dust," but last year really was a case of that kind of coming true, both in terms of their offense and pitching. It wasn't a matter of something teachable or signable; they had a LOT of luck. And as unlikely as it was for them to pull that off for most of one season, it becomes absurdly unlikely to think they'll somehow do it again the next season. The Cardinals didn't stumble across some mystic equation that cracks the BABIP code or allows them to strand runners practically at will. If the Cardinals win more than 85 games this year, it's not going to be a repeat of how they won as many games as they did last year. BABIP can be a huge factor. Some guys are good enough to maintain success with a high BABIP, but most tend to come back to Earth. It's not like they're being projected to fall off of a cliff. And people think you're a "secret" Cardinals fan because basically all you post about is how good you think the Cardinals will be.

Though I'm pretty sure you're just that one banned secret Cardinals fan anyway, sooooo... http://i.giphy.com/TyPydeCmjKQ2Q.gif

Basically based only looking at their projections for a single team that basically everyone had at least going deep into the playoffs? Why would them being wrong about the Nats mean they must be wrong about a team with an absurd BABIP backsliding the next season?

http://i.giphy.com/6XA99Q0nPSXyU.gif

http://www.thereviewcrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/lolly_gaufre_sucette-03.jpg

How good are waffles on their own? So good we have STREET WAFFLES: http://cdn.funcheap.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/B-Street-Waffles-Gerald.jpg

Waffles are so damn delicious they are used as ice cream cones: http://brustersknoxville.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/brusters-waffle-cones.gif

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lh1gx9AsjC1qzeouso1_r1_500.png Don't be jealous because your beloved french toast is crippled by a syrup dependency.

http://i.giphy.com/l81c35iP3v2tq.gif

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/1-21-2015/rPgksC.gif

Damn right. It's the best way to implement the DH and deep down you know it. Agreed, they mentioned this on the radio today. You could use your DH option on someone [expletive] like Ross instead of the pitcher. http://i.giphy.com/x0wfpJqZ1Qtbi.gif

David refueling: http://i.giphy.com/twPGJ3qO2goy4.gif

http://i.giphy.com/xRUL08Vppy9SE.gif

If a waffle isn't delicious without butter and syrup, you're doing it wrong. This guy gets it. The pizza cliche is still based around it being good pizza, not dousing it supplemental horsefeathers.

They only respect men's men like Pete Carroll and Jon Gruden. Hulking, intimidating he-men like Sean Payton and Mike McCarthy. Indomitable alpha bros like Marvin Louis and Chuck Pagano and Bruce Arians. I get nervous just talking about them.

Sometimes not even men; ONLY MIGHTY ANIMALS: http://media.philly.com/images/010113-andy_reid-600.jpg

Anything the kills the scum business of Wrigleyville is OK by me. Sure, it'll still be a nightmare during the season, but if it makes it less of a cluster horsefeathers in the off months, great.

Damn right. It's the best way to implement the DH and deep down you know it.

Soak up that yolk with your toast and bacon Heck yes. Ultimate breakfast for me is some kind of monstro skillet with an over easy or over medium egg on top.

I like a minimum of syrup and butter. Meh.

french toast is like pizza. i have yet to meet a slice of french toast that wasn't delicious when slathered with enough butter and syrup. Always settling, David. Always settling.