kente777

Can you say it one more time, please???

I think experience does matter, albeit not a big factor. I agree that luck is a bigger factor, second only to talent.

That's true, but you don't think experience helps contribute to dealing with the pressure which, in turn, leads a team to score more runs? I do. Maybe not a huge factor, but a factor nonetheless. I don't. If it plays any role, it's almost 100% insignificant. Inexperienced teams go into the playoffs and have success all the time. Yes, but I'm sure there are teams who choke because of the pressure too. Just because inexperienced teams win, doesn't mean that don't lose either. Of course some of them win and some of them lose. Some experienced teams win and some lose too. I'm saying there's little to no difference in the rates at which they do. If we want to conjure up arguments like this, you could say that players who have failed in the playoffs before will feel more pressure than players who have never played in them and are blissfully ignorant to them. I don't buy into it either way. All I'm saying is that this is an intangible that cannot be measured so we really don't know one way or the other. I'm a pretty good guitar player and singer. I get paid to do it. But there are certain times when I get a little nervous because of the venue and because I don't do it as often -- like weddings. And I can tell that I'm not quite as sharp as an environment I'm more familar with -- such as playing in restaurants. I know the people are this board are very statistically based and that's fine. But you cannot ignore intangibles such as home field advantage, playoff experience, etc. You can't measure experience so it's hard to prove my point. But surely, there are some teams that have to be more affected by an unfamiliar circumstance than others?

That's true, but you don't think experience helps contribute to dealing with the pressure which, in turn, leads a team to score more runs? I do. Maybe not a huge factor, but a factor nonetheless. I don't. If it plays any role, it's almost 100% insignificant. Inexperienced teams go into the playoffs and have success all the time. Yes, but I'm sure there are teams who choke because of the pressure too. Just because inexperienced teams win, doesn't mean that don't lose either.

That's true, but you don't think experience helps contribute to dealing with the pressure which, in turn, leads a team to score more runs? I do. Maybe not a huge factor, but a factor nonetheless.

Here's a quote from a guy from another board defending the Cubs: With all this talk about the two teams records which team won more games in September? The Cubs with 17 vs the D'backs 15. What does this mean? Absolutely nothing. I think about playoff experience and there is very little on the D'back roster compared to the Cubs. As a matter of fact the D'backs as a team have a total of 38 postseason ABs and 16 games pitched from a total of FOUR players. While the Cubs have 17 players on their 40 man roster with post-season experience including seven of which will be among the starting nine on Wednesday. The Cubs pitchers have pitched in nearly as many postseason games (36) as the Diamondbacks have had postseason at-bats (38). Six Cubs players have also reached the World Series, with other clubs, obviously. So, I say this series comes down to playoff experience and I give it to the Cubs in four. How much do you think experience will play into this series?

I like the article..... Cubs in 4!

Couldn't agree more. And if they do lose with him, I hope they still show some fight instead of just bending over in the next games They'll need to hang close and get into the BPs. That means Z needs to pitch very well, and we'll probably need to squeeze a run or two off Webb. It's going to be pretty tough. But realistically we only *need* to win 1 game in AZ, so all is not lost if we lose tomorrow. technically, we *need* to win 3 games regardless of the city they're played in. why does everyone think the Cubs are a lock to win both home games? agreed. this is the cubs people. even if we do beat webb, it doesn't mean we'll win the series. If we beat Webb, we win the series. If we lose tomorrow, I give the advantage to D-backs. I don't want to have to face him in game 5

My mother always taught me, if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all. I take the 5th on this.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/deluca/583289,CST-SPT-deluca02.article An interesting little tidbit in there about Eric Patterson

This is pretty much the conclusion I've reached as well. I haven't read all of this thread, but how have we faired against Webb this year? Being the Cubs like to swing at the first pitch, we should do OK against him -- at least that's my thinking.

You're deluded, my friend...... ....but I like it!!

As long as Z and Lilly aren't put on the cover of SI, we should be OK.

According to the so-called experts, 8 out of 10 pick the Cubs in either 4 or 5 games. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/series?series=chcari

Piniella said it this morning on the Score. I've heard it. I like Lou Piniella!!!

Just imagine if Dusty were managing us this year. He's probably call Dave Veres and ask him to pitch.

I know Z didn't do well on his "3 day rest" game, but I'm not so sure we can contribute that to lack of rest as opposed to he simply did not pitch well that particular game. Z has been inconsistent and I think his inconsitency just showed up on that particular day. I like going with a 3 man rotation. I think Z will be fine. Anything to keep Marquis from pitching!

If it were me, I wouldn't do the trash-talking stuff. Let's be classy and root for our team....not belittle others.

. And Ron Santo, for obvious reasons. Oh, and for me. 1) For Ron Santo 2) For Steve Bartman 3) For ME In that order

leave Marquis off the playoff roster, please

Thanks so much. I hope you're right. I've been waiting for over 40 years to see them in the World Series.

I've got tears in my eyes!!!! We did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEAH BABY YEAH BABY YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we do make it, I think even with the NL as weak as it is there's a real solid chance we get swept right out without much of a thought. All it took was a sweep by the Marlins to bring the Soul we all know back. :) LOL. I told you, they crushed the confidence right out of me. I'm still unable to believe we just got swept by those guys. What worries me the most is whether this team can win when they have to. From a standings perspective going into the Marlins series, the Cubs had the have the attitude of winning 2 out of 3. As it turns out, it wasn't must win because of the Brewers losses. Nevertheless, the Cubs couldn't win when it mattered. That's what worries me about the Reds series, especially since the starting pitching will be much better than the Marlins. And then IF we make the playoffs, we're most likely going out West for the 1st round where we historically don't play very well.

Thanks for answering the question! Being better doesn't necessarily translate into a championship. We'll see.