Cubs 2023 Season

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#776      

IanKEvans2

IanKEvans2
IanKEvans2
Warren Carter Fanclub said:
Struggling with extra points 2 games in a row. Time to look at some FA kickers.
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Hahaha, football math is fun. When I wrote that, I did the math of Bears: 1 TD + 1 PAT + 3 FG; Bengals: 2 FG.

Calculating Zach Galifianakis GIF by filmeditor
 
#778      

jjv0004

J
Greenville, SC
jjv0004
oldman said:
With Stroman and Smyly in a funk, after Steele, Taillon and Hendricks, where does our starting pitching come from for the rest of the season? Just as we start to get going our early season strength is falling apart.
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Hindsight 20/20 but man it would have been sweet if they would have thought they were out of it and traded Stroman at his peak to get some really good pieces for the future.
 
#779      

champaignchris

C
champaignchris
Ramrod2010 said:
August sets up ridiculously well for this team, with series against the Mets, White Sox, Royals, Tigers, and Pirates (along with a series against the Brewers).

The Brewers schedule is probably comparable, but I wouldn't say it's easier.

But the Reds schedule is rough... Outside of the Nats and Pirates, every team is in contention. Plus a West coast trip to end the month.

Quick glance at September looks like all three schedules are fairly interchangeable, though that can change with how teams do through August.

And I know run differential can be meaningless (last two games for example), but the Cubs are the only NL Central team with a positive differential (Reds have gone negative because of the last two games).

The division is bad, and the schedule is favorable... This team might actually make the playoffs.
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I’d go a little farther with the Reds. As much as they’re a feel-good story, as likable as some of their young players are, I struggle to see exactly what they do well as a team.

The Cubs are better than the Reds in almost every statistical category you want to look at. Runs per game, runs allowed per game, batting average, on base percentage, slugging, ERA, FIP, hits allowed per 9, HR allowed per 9, walks allowed per 9, and every single relevant defensive metric. (The Reds pitchers do strike out .1 more batters per 9 innings.)

It’s just not the eye test from the last couple games. The Cubs are a demonstrably better team than the Reds with the 2 game difference in the loss column entirely explained by a little luck and a big difference in quality of schedule.
 
#780      

Warren Carter Fanclub

Warren Carter Fanclub
Warren Carter Fanclub
champaignchris said:
I’d go a little farther with the Reds. As much as they’re a feel-good story, as likable as some of their young players are, I struggle to see exactly what they do well as a team.

The Cubs are better than the Reds in almost every statistical category you want to look at. Runs per game, runs allowed per game, batting average, on base percentage, slugging, ERA, FIP, hits allowed per 9, HR allowed per 9, walks allowed per 9, and every single relevant defensive metric. (The Reds pitchers do strike out .1 more batters per 9 innings.)

It’s just not the eye test from the last couple games. The Cubs are a demonstrably better team than the Reds with the 2 game difference in the loss column entirely explained by a little luck and a big difference in quality of schedule.
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The Reds will be getting a couple of SP's back soon, however.
 
#782      

Illini2010-11

I
Sugar Grove
Illini2010-11
It is conceivable that there is a series split with the Cubs outscoring the Reds by 19 runs. Not suggesting that would happen, but what an insane statistic! Just shows how crazy the Cubs bats have become since the All Star Break, and also how difficult it is to effectively close ground in the standings. From a psychological standpoint, tonight's game is extremely important for the Cubs.
 
#791      

drsmitty74

drsmitty74
Rochester
drsmitty74
champaignchris said:
I thought I saw a Bellinger extension. Looks like it was just someone asking Hoyer about extending Bellinger.
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I saw the same thing. Read the caption on the banner under Hoyer when he's talking. It says:

"Bellinger remains with Cubs
$25M option for 2024"

It reads as if he is staying on the player option. Just think it was bad wording as there IS a $25M mutual option for 2024, but obviously, he's going to hit the market.
 
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#793      

bdutts

bdutts
Houston, Texas
bdutts
bdutts said:
Lots of ifs in there…

I’ll say somewhere between 70-75 wins.
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This post is not aging well...

I am shocked at how they are playing. From an offensive standpoint, they are 8th in strikeouts (not surprising) but they are 3rd in walks, 4th in OBP, 8th in OPS.

Their pitching staff is 6th lowest in giving up HR, 14th at WHIP, but near the bottom in saves.

Strange season for sure. I finally started watching some games last month after not watching for two years. It's been fun for sure and I'm looking forward to seeing how the farmhands contribute over the next two-three years.
 
#800      

Emerson Bigguns

Emerson Bigguns
Emerson Bigguns
Warren Carter Fanclub said:
Hindsight is 20/20 but how did Mastrobuoni make the opening day roster over Tauchman ?
Ok, Mastro's stats were a little better but....
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I don't think they expected him to keep it up. The last time he played in the majors he hit a combined .181.

Mastro hit .300 in AAA last year. They probably thought he was ready.

Tauchman played in Japan last year and had a nearly identical stat line to the one he is carrying this year. They probably figured on significant regression in MLB.

OF was pretty much settled going into the season. If there didn't suddenly become a need for Cody to play 1st, (the stink of Mancini and Hosmer, & Mervis not being ready) Mike may have never gotten this opportunity.

He's got "the look" right now. Super confident in the box.
 
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