CubsWin

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...

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?

I'm not talking about the apocalypse. I'm talking about the fact that the Cubs will not go to the playoffs. I'm sorry. if you want me to stop because it's dragging people down, i will do so. But I've hit the wall in the last couple days, and stopped drinking the kool-aid, and I feel like other people should stop drinking it, too. Your view point is so imbalanced that you can't even tell who is drinking the kool-aid and who isn't. Who is drinking the kool-aid? I'm saying that the Cubs are playing terribly. That if they keep this up, its over. That right now, they suck. Does that sound like I'm drinking the kool-aid?

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.

No, it is your version of reality that says that the Cubs are a team that continues to lose. I want fans to believe in a team that has shown that can follow a cold streak with a hot streak. I want fans to believe in a team that has the roster to put together a great run and get back in it. Whether they will or not, no one knows. So why are you acting as if you know already? OK: 1) We don't have the roster to put together a run and "get back into it." 2) This team has not put together a hot streak all year long that wasn't immediately followed by a losing streak. 3) I have said this before, and will say it again because folks just don't seem to get it: you can't catch a team that doesn't lose, and the Stros aren't going to collapse. I'm not "acting like I already know." I'm telling you I've seen this movie over & over in almost 40 years of watching the Cubs. You are certainly entitled to believe whatever you want to. What caught my eye was when you said you cared if everyone *else* believed in the team. I'm a Cub fan forever, but that doesn't mean I have to continue to "believe" in this version of the Cubs. What you wrote for number one is an opinion, which is fine. But you wrote it as if it was a fact. And that is the exact thing I'm addressing. You are acting as if you already know. You got point number 2 backwards actually. They haven't put together a losing streak that they haven't immediatley followed up with a winning streak. And in number 3 you assume that the Astros aren't going to lose. They may not, but what makes you think that they are so invincible? Is it because they aren't the Cubs? I can guarantee you that if you visit an Astros board, there will be several posters who are wary of their return from the stratosphere. Neither points 1, 2 or 3 are factual statements. That is all I'm saying. You are free to hold them as your opinion and you would have good reason to. But to state them as if they have already happened is simply inaccurate and speaks to the imbalanced nature of your point of view.

No, it is your version of reality that says that the Cubs are a team that continues to lose. I want fans to believe in a team that has shown that can follow a cold streak with a hot streak. I want fans to believe in a team that has the roster to put together a great run and get back in it. Whether they will or not, no one knows. So why are you acting as if you know already? keep waiting for that next hot streak. I think it ain't gonna happen. We are clear on that by now. Thank you.

After losing 8 straight, the Cubs immediately went 8-1.

Whereas I agree that you have a lot of very good reasons to have that opinion, it is still just an opinion. To call it a fact, and a simple one at that, is just inaccurate. It's a fact. So basically what you are saying by being contradictory is, " Hey, you, stop balancing out my negativity with reality." Sorry, no, I won't stop. Feel free to ignore reality if you like. But I won't stop meeting overly-negative, pessimisitic reactions by reminding them of what the reality of the situation is. Rightly or wrongly, I care about whether Cubs fans believe in their team or not. Thats just me. Your "reality" is a bit delusional. I still love the Cubs, believe me, but this team is not playoff bound. Keep fighting the good fight, though. I ask that you read a little more closely so that you don't wind up putting words in my mouth or anyone else's please. Find for me where I said or even implied that the Cubs were playoff bound. All I have been saying is that they have been streaky and that they still have a chance at making the playoffs. Keep fighting the bad fight, though. :roll: And I'm telling you that the chance of the Cubs making the playoffs, as currently constructed and with Houston 5 games ahead of them as well as 5 teams ahead of them, and their brutal upcoming schedule with 20 games against Houtson and the Cards, is nil. Not gonna happen. Go ahead and tell me I'm not a Cubs fan because I don't "believe" in this team, since believing in this team obviously means clinging to distant playoff hopes. I love the Cubs, but I've given up hope for this season. Boy are you reading into things. Please read more carefully and stop putting words into my mouth or anyone else's. Find where I accused anyone of not being a Cubs fan. You wouldn't need to protect your heart by giving up hope long before the Cubs are out of it if you weren't a real and true Cubs fan. Come on, respond to what is written please.

I agree.

No, it is your version of reality that says that the Cubs are a team that continues to lose. I want fans to believe in a team that has shown that can follow a cold streak with a hot streak. I want fans to believe in a team that has the roster to put together a great run and get back in it. Whether they will or not, no one knows. So why are you acting as if you know already?

Whereas I agree that you have a lot of very good reasons to have that opinion, it is still just an opinion. To call it a fact, and a simple one at that, is just inaccurate. It's a fact. So basically what you are saying by being contradictory is, " Hey, you, stop balancing out my negativity with reality." Sorry, no, I won't stop. Feel free to ignore reality if you like. But I won't stop meeting overly-negative, pessimisitic reactions by reminding them of what the reality of the situation is. Rightly or wrongly, I care about whether Cubs fans believe in their team or not. Thats just me. Your "reality" is a bit delusional. I still love the Cubs, believe me, but this team is not playoff bound. Keep fighting the good fight, though. I ask that you read a little more closely so that you don't wind up putting words in my mouth or anyone else's please. Find for me where I said or even implied that the Cubs were playoff bound. All I have been saying is that they have been streaky and that they still have a chance at making the playoffs. Keep fighting the bad fight, though. :roll:

Blanco improves our chance of winning from 8% to 28%! Been watching the World Series of Poker lately? :wink:

Whereas I agree that you have a lot of very good reasons to have that opinion, it is still just an opinion. To call it a fact, and a simple one at that, is just inaccurate. Regardless of the outcome its highly probable that neither of these teams is going to come remotely close to the playoffs. I agree, if things keep going the way they have been over the last 8 games, it is highly probably that neither of these teams is going to come remothely close to the playoffs.

Whereas I agree that you have a lot of very good reasons to have that opinion, it is still just an opinion. To call it a fact, and a simple one at that, is just inaccurate. It's a fact. So basically what you are saying by being contradictory is, " Hey, you, stop balancing out my negativity with reality." Sorry, no, I won't stop. Feel free to ignore reality if you like. But I won't stop meeting overly-negative, pessimisitic reactions by reminding them of what the reality of the situation is. Rightly or wrongly, I care about whether Cubs fans believe in their team or not. Thats just me.

Whereas I agree that you have a lot of very good reasons to have that opinion, it is still just an opinion. To call it a fact, and a simple one at that, is just inaccurate.

Only that this club has been streaky all year long. For every bad streak we have seen an equally good one. Frustrating? Heck yeah. But to think that this team is not likely to follow this stretch of poor play with a stretch of good play would be to ignore all of the evidence they have shown you all season long. And it hasn't been 2 weeks, either. This stretch of poor play has been over the last 8 games. 9 games ago, the Cubs had just finished winning a 3-game series from San Fransisco in dramatic fashion that showed a lot of heart. That series was immediately preceded by a great 3-game series win in St. Louis where they could have easily come out with a sweep. How soon we forget. :(

You did mean when they lose today, right? Changed it for you. Ah, lost hope. I remember it well...

Really?

Man, when this offense slumps, it really slumps.

You did mean if they lose today, right?

I agree. And what is really maddening is that the organization has the bucks to outbid just about anyone for good OBP players... but iirc Jim Hendry has gone on record in not believing in that stat. Check it out, Jimbo - today the Oakland A's head the Wild Card race in the AL (and one game out in the West)... even with all THEIR injuries and a horrific first half. I'm about ready to cash in my chips with respect to our current GM. The A's have a better record than the Cubs do because they don't have the same problem with fundamentals and their pitching has been very good, not because their OBP is .006 higher than the Cubs'. I'd like you to try to find a quote where Hendry has specifically said he doesn't care at all about OBP. If you do that, I'll believe you. Otherwise, I doubt it. True, he assembled a team that is comprised largely of free swingers, but if he really despised OBP, why would he trade for patient hitters like Lee or Lawton? I think he did the best he personally could (there were mistakes) with the hand he was dealt. I'm right there with you, Sarcastic. Even if there is a quote somewhere that makes it look like Hendry doesn't like OBP guys, quotes can be taken out of context to make someone look like they are saying something when they really aren't. What matters more than some quote, however, is the man's actions. This is where the evidence really piles up to show that Hendry does value OBP. He traded Sosa, who's OBP was in a steep decline and this year currently stands at .319, for Hairston, who had OBPs the last two seasons of .353 and .378. He then signed Jeromy Burnitz to replace Sosa in RF. Burnitz has a career OBP of .350. Then, Hendry acquires the highest OBP player moved in any of the deadline deals in Matt Lawton. And that's just what he did this year. Hendry dumped the OBP-challenged Alex Gonzalez and acquired a former OBP stud in Nomar. The year before that he acquired Aramis Ramirez who has been one of the most consistent OBP guys since joining the team with OBPs of .373 last year and .367 so far this season. What more evidence do you need to finally start believing that Hendry does value OBP and is doing what he can to acquire players that get on base?

Keep in mind that the source for this rumor is a message board and that the likelihood of any player magically regaining 5-6 mph on a fastball is very low. Just tryin' to help, JC...

I agree that Furcal is a good SS, and there aren't that many available these days, but I'm intrigued by Cedeno. I think Nomar definitely wants to come back and a Nomar/Cedeno team at SS would be highly beneficial for the Cubs. Here's why... Two big ifs, but I believe the Cubs have to find out the answer to the following ifs. If Cedeno can be given enough playing time between 2B against lefties and keeping Nomar fresh during the year, the Cubs can get a good idea as to how he translates to the major leagues, and if Cedeno shows he can play well, then he can impact the future of the Cubs organization more than we realize right now. A young and inexpensive SS who is above average defensively and can get on base with a little pop can open up a lot financial options for the Cubs. If Cedeno shows he can play SS and play it well, that frees up whatever amount of millions of dollars the Cubs agree to pay Nomar next year. The 2006 offseason will have Nomar and Maddux come off the books, among others, of course. Assuming the Cubs pay Nomar 5 million plus incentives next year, they could be freeing up 14-18 million. If Cedeno can take over SS and one of the young starting pitchers can come through, as well, the Cubs could spend that money on just one position player. Now some of that might be used to give existing players raises, but imagine having 10-12 million dollars to spend on one player in the 2006 offseason. If Pie is ready to join the OF in '07, Cedeno takes over at SS, the Cubs could easily afford to sign someone big after the '06 season. When is Dunn a free-agent again? :wink: I know, lots of ifs there, but thats why I don't think it is wise to sign Furcal.

He would be my choice. Thirded. Fourthed. Bring that little guy up!!! Works for me. Poor guy has seen all of one pitch in the majors so far. At least he has an interesting story to tell his grandkids. How's Bacon doing? I know in previous years he didn't hit for much but was fast as hell. I don't know if you can actually say he saw that pitch. :wink: I have been calling for Burnitz to move to CF ever since Lawton was acquired especially when the Cubs are playing in Wrigley's rather small outfield. Perhaps in more spacious ballparks I could see playing someone else in CF, but with Hairston down, the other option is Macias and his bat leaves a lot to be desired. He would have to bat 7th or 8th if he were to play and that is a pretty big OBP hole at the back of the line-up between him and the pitcher. So for the offense's sake, I think the best patch the Cubs can put on their CF situation is to move Burnitz over and pray for Corey to figure it out soon.

Where are people getting these projected line-ups? Is there some website somewhere that is guessing who is going to play and in what order they are going to bat or did AAApittsburgh just make this one up him/herself? Whoever it was was waaayyyy off. I guess Dusty isn't as stupid as somebody thought he was. All those smilies were ramming their head into the brick wall for nothing today. :wink: