Chicago Cubs 2017 Season

#376      

IanKEvans2

IanKEvans2
IanKEvans2
[ W ] #73.

In waiver trade deadline news, Justin Verlander is now an Astro. Per Jon Morosi, Verlander's first choice was the Cubs. I'm assuming they just didn't have the depth of pieces to strike a deal. Houston sent their #3 (#46 overall), #9, and #10 prospects to Detroit.
https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/903475767463444485

Also, Ben Finfer from ESPN Radio in Chicago tweeted out this zinger:
"Such a huge get for the Astros. Kudos to Luhnow for getting this done. And to the Cardinals for keeping it secret."
https://twitter.com/BenFinfer/status/903473902617206791

*Context: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/...nals-for-allegedly-hacking-into-astros-files/
 
#377      

champaignchris

C
champaignchris
I think the Cubs were willing to take the contract but didn't want to give up any real prospects. The Tigers wanted prospects AND money off the books. The Astros were willing to do that. I didn't think anyone would, but with McCullers out and Keuchel sucking again, the Astros were looking at yet another World Series opportunity slipping away.
 
#379      

champaignchris

C
champaignchris
IanKEvans2 said:
This one slipped through the cracks of a busy Thursday night.

Cubs acquired OF Leonys Martin for PTBNL and/or cash considerations from the Mariners.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/08/mariners-trade-leonys-martin-cubs.html
Click to expand...

Speed and defense. No bat. He was a 4.0 WAR a year player with Texas as recently as 2013-14. But I wouldn't expect much from him other than as a pinch runner with the rosters expanding.

I believe he's arb eligible. So he could be a 5th OF option next year.
 
#380      

bdutts

bdutts
Houston, Texas
bdutts
champaignchris said:
I think the Cubs were willing to take the contract but didn't want to give up any real prospects. The Tigers wanted prospects AND money off the books. The Astros were willing to do that. I didn't think anyone would, but with McCullers out and Keuchel sucking again, the Astros were looking at yet another World Series opportunity slipping away.
Click to expand...

The Astros offense is good enough, or it has been, to overcome their pitching deficiencies. I think it will be the Astros and Dodgers in the WS but wouldn't be surprised if Cleveland gets back. Could see the Nats and the Cubs as well from the NL side.
 
#386      

South Farms

S
near Ogden & Rt 83
South Farms
champaignchris said:
Speed and defense. No bat. He was a 4.0 WAR a year player with Texas as recently as 2013-14. But I wouldn't expect much from him other than as a pinch runner with the rosters expanding.

I believe he's arb eligible. So he could be a 5th OF option next year.
Click to expand...

Joe used him as the oh so important pinch runner for Rizzo.

having these 40 man rosters in Sept, when your club is actually using it to win games , is such a joy vs the old days when it was just to see what the farm kids look like.
 
#389      

IanKEvans2

IanKEvans2
IanKEvans2
champaignchris said:
Cubs go 11-11 the rest of the way, the Cards or Brewers will have to go 16-6 to tie them, probably forcing a single-game play in. They'd have to go 17-5 to eliminate the Cubs altogether.
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:thumb:

Of note, the Cubs play 7 games against the Brewers (3 home, 4 away), and 7 games against the Cardinals (3 home, 4 away).
 
#391      

IanKEvans2

IanKEvans2
IanKEvans2
IlliniJim20 said:
Possible Make or break when it comes to playing your most immediate contenders/competition.
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True statement, though if they manage to go 3-4 or 4-3 in those respective series, the Cubs' division hopes will still be trending positively.

To add to this, there are 3 home games against the 61-79 Mets and 3 home games against the 61-80 Reds mixed in there.

champaignchris was steadfast in his alluding to the Cubs' fortunate second-half schedule, and he was spot-on with the turnaround prediction, even with the injuries.
 
#392      

IanKEvans2

IanKEvans2
IanKEvans2
[ W ] #78

Cubs finally off the schneid. Magic number down to 17, with St. Louis 2 games back and Milwaukee 2.5. Cubs could use a little bit of the magic going on in Cleveland right now.
 
#393      

South Farms

S
near Ogden & Rt 83
South Farms
Cleveland winning 21 in a row now will end up being their season statement. alas, they will go down in the post season once again

LA Dodgers showing they are all too human themselves.

Cubs need to start to win 3 outta 4. Wrap it up with 6-7 games to go and let all starters get some rest the week before the post season
 
#395      

champaignchris

C
champaignchris
I had to do the math.

41 games since August 1, 23 wins, 18 losses.

8.87 runs to 3.57 in wins.

2.44 runs to 6.22 in losses.

That's amazing. Maybe even more amazing is that they're only 1 game behind their expected Pythagorean win total. (Before taking tonight's 12 run win into account.)
 
#397      

JIllini

J
JIllini
champaignchris said:
Cubs always seem to either win 17-5 or lose 2-0. No in between. I've never seen anything like it.
Click to expand...

And they always seem to follow up their huge offensive nights with a horrible offensive night. Hopefully that won't be the case tomorrow, we need to sweep the Mets and keep as much separation as possible going into the series vs the Cardinals and Brewers.
 
#399      

IlliniFaninHoosierLand

IlliniFaninHoosierLand
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
Pitching matchups for this weekend's HUGE series at Wrigley:

Friday: Martinez (11-10, 3.33) vs. Lackey (11-11, 4.65)
Saturday: Wacha (12-7, 3.99) vs. Hendricks (6-5, 3.35)
Sunday: Lynn (11-7, 3.01) vs. Quintana (10-11, 4.25)

Thoughts?