The clock would start ticking right away, so this would be the last year.
Chicago Cubs 2016 Season
- Status
The clock would start ticking right away, so this would be the last year.
No bullpen needed tonight! After allowing a leadoff HR, Lester was on fire.
[ W ]
[ W ]
I seem to recall he did the same here in Boston, too. He's done pretty well over the years, despite this issue.
We're now 55 starts into Kyle Hendricks' career, and as much as he sometimes looks like smoke and mirrors, he's still carrying a 3.3-ish ERA and 3.2-ish FIP. His career K-rate (a worry his rookie year) is up to a respectable 7.3-ish, and he doesn't walk anyone or give up HRs. (The stupid home run today was on strike four.)
I'm starting to reconcile myself to the fact that the results I'm seeing are real. He's 26 and under team control through 2020. Which is pretty exciting if he wants to keep throwing like he did today.
I'm starting to reconcile myself to the fact that the results I'm seeing are real. He's 26 and under team control through 2020. Which is pretty exciting if he wants to keep throwing like he did today.
I know, I feel the same way.
South Farms
- near Ogden & Rt 83
Hendricks could easily see himself being slid into the #3 slot. He's at the stage in his career where he is going to either become really consistently good, or he'll just be a career #4 or #5 guy.
not sure he has the body or the mindset to be a top flight #1 or #2 guy, but I do like what I'm seeing this year so far.
Shane Walsh
aka "Captain Oblivious"
- Cynthiana, Kentucky
Cubs are 8.5 up on Bucs and 10 up on the Redbirds, in the first week of June.
Is this real life?
Is this real life?
Looking at the June schedules for each team, the Cubs might be able to widen that gap further.
Admittedly, this eye test method for strength of schedule isn't the best, but June looks to be favorable for the Cubs when compared to the Pirates and Cardinals.
-Cubs: Opened with 2 wins vs. LAD on 6/1 & 6/2 (2nd in division), 3 vs. AZ (4th), 3 @ PHI (4th), 3 @ ATL (5th), 3 @ WSH (1st), 3 vs. PIT (2nd), 3 vs. STL (3rd), 4 @ MIA (3rd), 3 @ CIN (5th), 1 @ NYM (2nd).
*9/28 games vs. 1st or 2nd place teams
-Pirates: Opened with 2 losses @ MIA on 6/1 & 6/2 (3rd), 3 vs. LAA (5th), 3 vs. NYM (2nd), 1 @ COL (3rd), 3 vs. STL (3rd), 3 @ NYM (3rd), 3 @ Cubs (1st), 4 vs. SF (1st), 4 vs. LAD (2nd), 2 @ SEA (Tied 1st)
*16/28 games vs. 1st or 2nd place teams.
-Cardinals: Opened with a loss @ MIL on 6/1 (4th), 3 vs. SF (1st), 3 @ CIN (5th), 3 @ PIT (2nd), 3 vs. HOU (4th), 3 vs. TX (Tied 1st), 3 @ Cubs (1st), 3 @ SEA (Tied 1st), 2 @ KC (1st), 2 vs. KC (1st)
*19/26 games vs. 1st or 2nd place teams.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
After today's whitewash of the D-backs, the Cubs are 9 up on the Bucs and 10.5 up on the Cards. After the Arizona series the Cubs go on a nine game road trip with three at Philadelphia, three at Atlanta, and three at Washington. They then come back home for an interesting little six-game home stand with three against the Pirates and three against the Cards. Is it possible they could have the Pirates and Cards buried by June 22?
Possible, but not likely. I'm sure the Cubbies are in for a rough stretch again soon.
Now, would I love it if we had a huge lead in the NL Central before the ASB? Definitely.
If the Pirates lose tonight (they're down 7-2 in the bottom of the 5th), the Cubs magic number for the division will be 100.
On June 3rd, that's crazy.
On June 3rd, that's crazy.
For anyone that missed it today, former Cubs catcher Wellington Castillo accidentally hit Rizzo in the head throwing the ball back to the pitcher. The entire scene was pretty great.
Here's the link to the GIF below (can't figure out how to embed gfycat GIFs):
https://fat.gfycat.com/PessimisticDependableDeermouse.webm
How can anyone not like Rizzo?
Here's the link to the GIF below (can't figure out how to embed gfycat GIFs):
https://fat.gfycat.com/PessimisticDependableDeermouse.webm
How can anyone not like Rizzo?
They'll be selling off a lot of key pieces shortly, but the Brewers are only 3 games behind the Cardinals.
ChiCityHoops34
- DeKalb IL
What a catch by Soler!
One of the baserunners was on a weakly hit single, but the 3-run HR was a shot.
Couple of other notes on tonight's game:
-As ChiCityHoops34 pointed out, Soler made a great play against the outfield wall. He left the game shortly there after rounding first on a single with an apparent hamstring injury. Fingers crossed it is a minor injury; he's had hamstring problems in the past if I recall correctly.
-Cubs are now 32-1 in games in which they score 5 or more runs.
-This was the Cubs' 40th win of the season (40-16). Cubs are the fastest team to 40 wins since the 2001 Mariners. The Mariners achieved this feat in 52 games and went on to win 116 that season.
-The Cubs have an inversed record of the Braves (16-40).
-With the Pirates rained out, the Cubs are now up 10 games in the Central.
[ W ]
The starting pitching has been so good for so long that it kind of gets lost in the mix, but Lester was really, really good tonight.
Definitely. He had a hell of a game.
Interesting. I just figured it would be Kalish or Kawasaki and we'd be seeing a whole lot of Bryant in left.
Almora is hitting .318 at Iowa and by all accounts is an excellent defensive center fielder. Seems like he's been in the system forever, but is still only 22.
If Soler does go on the DL how much of a drop off will we see in offensive production?
Man, what an unfortunate year to catch the injury bug. We looked prime to go deep in the playoffs and maybe win it all. It could still happen but injuries always muddy the waters and make for uncertainties.
What is the confidence level of some of you posters who follow the team, and baseball in general, more closely?
Man, what an unfortunate year to catch the injury bug. We looked prime to go deep in the playoffs and maybe win it all. It could still happen but injuries always muddy the waters and make for uncertainties.
What is the confidence level of some of you posters who follow the team, and baseball in general, more closely?
If anything, the team has been unusually healthy. The Schwarber thing sucks, but other than that it's been smooth sailing.
And honestly, Soler may yet become a good player, but he is not one right now. He is a replacement level guy. We have every reason to believe that putting Almora's defense out there might improve the team. Schwarber-Fowler-Soler looked like a potential disaster in the field. Fowler-Almora-Heyward could be the best defensive outfield in the league.
Last edited:
One of the best qualities of this team is its depth and versatility. Having guys like Baez, La Stella, Bryant, Zobrist, etc... who can step in to play multiple positions helps immensely with the injury bug. Then, too, there is the option to fill in the roster with quality minor league players ranging from veterans (Kawasaki, Kalish, Murton) to up-and-comers (Contreras, Almora).
Soler is solid, and looked good in the last few weeks, but he's not the level of loss as compared to Schwarber.
As great as the offense has been, the pitching has been what's carried them. Arrieta, Lester, Hendricks, Hammel, and Lackey have all pitched extraordinarily well. Fortunately injuries have been kind to the pitching staff.
The Cubs have created a nice cushion in the standings, even with the injuries. Get as health as possible during the dog days of summer and have a [mostly] healthy roster for August/September/October would be an ideal situation for World Series aspirations.
As far as my confidence goes, I'm always cautiously optimistic with regard to the Cubs. :thumb:
- Status