A few tight races that will be interesting to watch the final six weeks this year. The Yankees rebuild feels reminiscent of Chicago in 2015. They've made a bigger step this year than most people anticipated. They'll probably make the playoffs as a WC, and are capable of winning a series, but they may not be ready to win two. But, they're going to go into 2018 as a World Series favorite.

Just doesn't feel like Cubs' year, but there are still bright spots. Willson Contreras looks like he's primed to take the torch from Yady and Buster as the NL's best catcher, Byrant and Rizzo are perennial all-stars, and Javy Baez is quietly turning into a very good everyday player (he's hitting .286 since May 1st, and has 20 HR). I remain convinced Schwarber is going to be fine at the plate (he’s hitting ~.250 since he returned from AAA) and his defensive decencies are exaggerated. His dWAR numbers are in the top 10 this year. The one guy that I’m not sure about is Addison Russell, and they need to add another TOR starter this offseason, after losing Arrieta.

Arrieta has been really good since the break, but Lester and Hendricks need to be right for Chicago to have a chance this year. Baseball is a funny game. A lot of people are down on Chicago this year, but we’re in position to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season, and win the division for the second consecutive season. I'll take these down years compared to what we experienced under previous ownership.

(08-21-2017 12:09 PM)bricksnivy Wrote:  A few tight races that will be interesting to watch the final six weeks this year. The Yankees rebuild feels reminiscent of Chicago in 2015. They've made a bigger step this year than most people anticipated. They'll probably make the playoffs as a WC, and are capable of winning a series, but they may not be ready to win two. But, they're going to go into 2018 as a World Series favorite.

Just doesn't feel like Cubs' year, but there are still bright spots. Willson Contreras looks like he's primed to take the torch from Yady and Buster as the NL's best catcher, Byrant and Rizzo are perennial all-stars, and Javy Baez is quietly turning into a very good everyday player (he's hitting .286 since May 1st, and has 20 HR). I remain convinced Schwarber is going to be fine at the plate (he’s hitting ~.250 since he returned from AAA) and his defensive decencies are exaggerated. His dWAR numbers are in the top 10 this year. The one guy that I’m not sure about is Addison Russell, and they need to add another TOR starter this offseason, after losing Arrieta.

Arrieta has been really good since the break, but Lester and Hendricks need to be right for Chicago to have a chance this year. Baseball is a funny game. A lot of people are down on Chicago this year, but we’re in position to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season, and win the division for the second consecutive season. I'll take these down years compared to what we experienced under previous ownership.

Granted, the Ricketts family has been willing to open the payroll up significantly more than the Cubs owners of the past but the brains and moves that really created the new success of the Cubs is due to Theo and Jed. Those guys have proven that if an owner is willing to let them take full control they'll deliver a championship and a perennial winner. So glad that decision was made. Oddly enough, Maddon will always be loved in Chicago now but... I think Epstein has built his reputation up so well and Chicago being an attractive market that you could probably replace the HC with anyone of their choosing and still see the same success. I do think that Maddon's style is a great fit with these younger stars though. They really seem to have fun playing under him.

(08-23-2017 12:11 PM)CoastGuardHawk06 Wrote:  I do think that Maddon's style is a great fit with these younger stars though. They really seem to have fun playing under him.

This is quite similar to that of Buck Showalter with the O's. The reason the O's became remotely relevant the past 5 years was because of how good Showalter is with younger players. The downside to that is once the experience grows, a manager who is great with young talent, may not handle the experienced vets nearly as well (I.e. Showalter).

I think you're right, CG. Most of the credit goes to Theo and Jed, but the Ricketts has been great. I don't believe the Tribune's primary objective was to win a World Series. Granted, Jim Hendry had us close in 2003 under the ownership of the Tribune, but I think selling tickets was always their primary focus. I'm certain I could write a paper on what Ricketts has done, but hiring Theo was brillant, and the amenities they've upgraded at Wrigley, for the fan and player, have been tremendous. It hasn't been without cost, but the underlying focus of all of their moves seem to be winning ball games.

I'll continue to defend Joe. What he's doing works. It's fair to question his management of the pen in the World Series, and I think he should take a brunt of the blame for this year's inability to get guys home from scoring position with less than two outs. But, he is a VERY good manager, and he also deserves a lot of the credit for how well Chicago has finished the last two seasons, and how well they've played this August. This August, especially considering Willson Contreras' injury, and the performance he was having. Contreras was putting himself in the NL MVP convo...he wasn't going to win it, but he was putting himself in the discussion and likely could've finished 3rd or 4th in voting.

(08-24-2017 11:04 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  I think you're right, CG. Most of the credit goes to Theo and Jed, but the Ricketts has been great. I don't believe the Tribune's primary objective was to win a World Series. Granted, Jim Hendry had us close in 2003 under the ownership of the Tribune, but I think selling tickets was always their primary focus. I'm certain I could write a paper on what Ricketts has done, but hiring Theo was brillant, and the amenities they've upgraded at Wrigley, for the fan and player, have been tremendous. It hasn't been without cost, but the underlying focus of all of their moves seem to be winning ball games.

I'll continue to defend Joe. What he's doing works. It's fair to question his management of the pen in the World Series, and I think he should take a brunt of the blame for this year's inability to get guys home from scoring position with less than two outs. But, he is a VERY good manager, and he also deserves a lot of the credit for how well Chicago has finished the last two seasons, and how well they've played this August. This August, especially considering Willson Contreras' injury, and the performance he was having. Contreras was putting himself in the NL MVP convo...he wasn't going to win it, but he was putting himself in the discussion and likely could've finished 3rd or 4th in voting.

Yeah, I'm mostly getting nitpicky with him lately, but you're right. All in all, we've had a great few years and that "spoiled" Cubs fan mentality is starting to creep in. Still surreal to me they won the championship last year. For so many years I always wanted it to happen but figured it never would. Still feels like a dream. Ricketts, Theo, Jed, Joe, and the players all combined the last few years to be an amazing thing for Chicago Cubs baseball. Still feels phenomenal.

(08-24-2017 03:49 PM)CoastGuardHawk06 Wrote:  

(08-24-2017 11:04 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  I think you're right, CG. Most of the credit goes to Theo and Jed, but the Ricketts has been great. I don't believe the Tribune's primary objective was to win a World Series. Granted, Jim Hendry had us close in 2003 under the ownership of the Tribune, but I think selling tickets was always their primary focus. I'm certain I could write a paper on what Ricketts has done, but hiring Theo was brillant, and the amenities they've upgraded at Wrigley, for the fan and player, have been tremendous. It hasn't been without cost, but the underlying focus of all of their moves seem to be winning ball games.

I'll continue to defend Joe. What he's doing works. It's fair to question his management of the pen in the World Series, and I think he should take a brunt of the blame for this year's inability to get guys home from scoring position with less than two outs. But, he is a VERY good manager, and he also deserves a lot of the credit for how well Chicago has finished the last two seasons, and how well they've played this August. This August, especially considering Willson Contreras' injury, and the performance he was having. Contreras was putting himself in the NL MVP convo...he wasn't going to win it, but he was putting himself in the discussion and likely could've finished 3rd or 4th in voting.

Yeah, I'm mostly getting nitpicky with him lately, but you're right. All in all, we've had a great few years and that "spoiled" Cubs fan mentality is starting to creep in. Still surreal to me they won the championship last year. For so many years I always wanted it to happen but figured it never would. Still feels like a dream. Ricketts, Theo, Jed, Joe, and the players all combined the last few years to be an amazing thing for Chicago Cubs baseball. Still feels phenomenal.

I get that feeling entirely, while it wasn't a 100 year drought, for the first 18 years of my fandom the Yanks didn't win a title. I still remember 96 like it was yesterday, I recognize they won in 78, but i was 1. :)

(08-23-2017 02:13 PM)dan10 Wrote:  

(08-23-2017 12:11 PM)CoastGuardHawk06 Wrote:  I do think that Maddon's style is a great fit with these younger stars though. They really seem to have fun playing under him.

This is quite similar to that of Buck Showalter with the O's. The reason the O's became remotely relevant the past 5 years was because of how good Showalter is with younger players. The downside to that is once the experience grows, a manager who is great with young talent, may not handle the experienced vets nearly as well (I.e. Showalter).

I agree completely, there are certain managers like that. See Girardi, had success in Miami with young teams, has struggled with Vet laden teams in NY, and now with the youth movement, he seems to be doing better.

Stros mean business taking on a good lump of salary to get Verlander. IMO this makes them the clear Fav in the AL. They are loaded.

(09-01-2017 08:31 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  Stros mean business taking on a good lump of salary to get Verlander. IMO this makes them the clear Fav in the AL. They are loaded.

Are they better than Cleveland?

(09-01-2017 09:15 AM)bricksnivy Wrote:  

(09-01-2017 08:31 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  Stros mean business taking on a good lump of salary to get Verlander. IMO this makes them the clear Fav in the AL. They are loaded.

Are they better than Cleveland?

I think so, especially with Salazar injured

Go Cub Go! Second straight division title and best record in the NL after the break. Pitching is a concern, but the team is heading to Washington with a lot of confidence. This is a good time to be finding our stride; this is the most optimistic that I have been.

Washington hasn't exactly been producing and has once again stumbled into the playoffs. Go Cubs Go!

(09-28-2017 06:44 PM)CoastGuardHawk06 Wrote:  Washington hasn't exactly been producing and has once again stumbled into the playoffs. Go Cubs Go!

Plus, we can count on Dusty making a critical mistake along the way. Pitching matchups certainly favor Washington, but I like our chances.

Surprised this thread has been so quiet. So far all series have gone about as i expected. Really a shame the yankees could be up 2-1 had they had a competent manager.

I haven't seen any of the AL games, and only a few innings of Dodgers/Snakes series. Cubs/Nats series is good. Cubs are playing loose. Disappointing that they gave up the lead late in gm 2, but Washington has a brutal lineup. FWIW, I haven't noted any critical mistakes by Dusty...not sure why he pitched to Javy in the 7th inning of gm 1, as he could've forced Joe to go to the pen one inning earlier, and it wasn't a great idea to leave the righty in against Rizzo one inning later.

Cubs have gotten the pitching that they needed. With Harper's HR, you just tip your cap to a great ball player.

Good W for both our squads yesterday Bricks. I love some Tito but he made a huge mistake forcing Bauer on 3 days rest when he had a cupboard full of viable options!

Cubs aren't exactly killing the ball, and we made A LOT of mistakes yesterday, but won anyway. I'm not a huge Dusty fan, but his squad is hitting .083 in the series if you take away the 8th inning of game 2. Pitching decisions are tough this time of year, but they're magnified when paired with mistakes.

Chicago needs to finish this tonight!

Dodgers might be back on track and that could be scary but Kershaw has to be great at some point I think if they are going to the WS. NY and Cleveland has been more competitive than I thought it would be and the Yanks have a shot now!Cubs have played well but don't see it with them this year. Still like the Dodgers and Cleveland but you never know with baseball.

Depends, if the Cubs starters are as good as they have been in the NLDS, they have a shot. They're still really talented, feel like they're being counted out by the "experts" and are playing loose and with a ton of confidence.

Extra days rest help you, or Washington more Bricks? I listened to Dusty's presser after the rain out, he insisted they were sticking with Roark. I did get the feeling he was keeping his plans close to the vest.