UMFan83

Do you watch the hottest team in the division or an elite rushing attack? Tough choices.

Interested in starting the discussion of this series. The Nationals scare me. Not that I don't think we are as good as them, but they are a really good team. Starters: Strasburg - 2.63 ERA, 3.27 xFIP, 5.3 WAR, has a 1.38 ERA and .506 OPS against since the end of June (12 starts) Scherzer - 2.55 ERA, 3.29 xFIP, 5.9 WAR, has seemingly never given up a hit to a RHB Gonzalez - 2.75 ERA, 4.21 xFIP,. 3.3 WAR, is good but is a very up and down pitcher in general and seems to be getting lucky Roark - 4.59 ERA, 4.17 xFIP, 2.4 WAR Offense has 4 900+ OPS guys, a couple of OK dudes and then some garbage. The bench has a couple of good bats as well. Seems Zimmerman, Rendon and even Murphy started out really strong and have faded. Zimmerman has an OPS in the mid-.700's since June, while Murphy and Rendon's sub-800 OPS stretch started in mid-July. The Cubs are still in Zimmerman's head, and while Murphy is having a strong year relative to his career, he's taken a little step down from last year, and his defense sucks. Bryce Harper is very good but as a future Cub will suck in this series and blame it on rust coming back from the injury. Adam Lind is having a nice run as a utility guy, and Trea Turner is going to be a handful when he gets on base. The bullpen was greatly improved after the deadline. In the 1st half they were last in the majors in reliever ERA and WAR. In the 2nd half, they were 3rd. Smarter people, please do smarter analysis please :)

Legit guess at the lineup Jay, CF (L) LaStella, 3B (L) Happ, 2B (S) Schwarber, LF (L) Avila, C (L) Caratini, 1B (S) Freeman, SS (L) Martin, RF (L) The funny thing about this lineup is it actually might be fairly successful as Lynn is much worse against lefties and this lineup would throw out 8 of them.

Pre-Theo, I could count the number of Cubs postseason series that I have watched on one hand (was alive for 84 and 89 but don't remember them). Post-Theo and I can't count them all on 2 hands. Thanks Theo.

I wish we would do that. Would be sweet to have him back in the dugout. I'm sure we can get Jorge back for a bag of nickels too.

GR: You know what it's been 6 months and the Cubs just won the division, its time to let bygones be bygones and stop by NSBB *logs on and sees this post* GR: you MOTHER [expletive]!

Ian Happ walking around the clubhouse without goggles looking for his next victim

LOL first back to back division titles in franchise history? Who the horsefeathers proofreads these graphics

http://68.media.tumblr.com/220cf84144b1207f9f9495edf51675a7/tumblr_mngixiurrf1s5e5bko1_500.gif

I think there’s absolutely going to be a picture of him after the game with the guys or out a little later, that is completely harmless and just him dropping by that is going to make the BFIB livid Nah, he's been around these nutjobs long enough now to know better at this point

You know you're still on our side Dexy 3 more outs

As if tomorrow's lineup won't be: Martin CF La Stella 3B Zobrist 2B Schwarber LF Caratini 1B Rivera C Freeman SS Jay RF I think it's finally an acceptable time for a Taylor Davis start. And let's go find Zagunis and see if he can't finally get that first big league hit

It's true though to some degree. I remember when the Cubs clinched with a Brewers loss in 07 people were going nuts and took over the intersection of Clark and Addison celebrating (I may or may not have made the front page of the Trib the next day). Of course that was a Friday night vs a Wednesday night so understandable if the celebration in Wrigleyville is not as nuts. Either way, maybe it's not as much of a rush to clinch a playoff spot with recent success but that actually makes me feel more satisfied knowing that we've accomplished so much.

Sweet it will be the opposite of Ohio State-Michigan for me then

Yeah I want to give the starters 2 days off and then have them play Saturday and Sunday

The only thing I'm worried about in this series is tearing up the visitors clubhouse. It would be shitty if we came here with that big talk and somehow didn't clinch. Anyways that's loser talk we're clinching today

Wacha is pitching well but holy hell is he getting a huge strike zone

Ball 1, ball 2, ball 3 - yer out!

Good decision to start Rivera tonight. He looked good up there

That's not how a Lackey start works. There is a reason the Cubs winning % when Lackey starts is the highest of any starter. The Cubs somehow score for this horsefeathers face That or being our worst starter he often faces the other teams worst starter How often do you think that happens?

That's not how a Lackey start works. There is a reason the Cubs winning % when Lackey starts is the highest of any starter. The Cubs somehow score for this horsefeathers face

Well worst case scenario if we were to lose at least we don't have to worry about the backdoor clinch as the reds are throwing Homer Bailey tonight.

Come on horsefeathers head. Get outs

Please don't get into a beanball war. It can only hurt us. Make eliminating the Cardinals from the playoffs your response.

How many runs does Lackey give up in the first inning of his farewell start? I'll say he's on his game and only gives up 1