****Official Cubs 2015 Thread****
- Thread starter dgordo
- Start date
Cubs get Tommy Hunter from Baltimore for Junior Lake. Another solid deadline deal. Hunter should help with pitching depth and Lake probably needs a change of scenery, as he was clearly not a major part of the Cubs' plans.
It is really looking like this is a team to believe in. The Giants scrapped away furiously in the last two games of this series, but the Cubs held on. It is amazing to think that what was a 100 loss team in the early stages of the rebuilding plan is now on track to win 90 games. And, it's amazing to sweep a quality team like the Giants. What a stroke of luck that Joe Maddon fell into the Cub's lap, and the rotten records in the early years are now producing on the field results with high draft choices, and players attained in roster dump trades. I would have liked to see a little more action at the trade deadline, but, you have to have a willing partner with reasonable requests in return. And, there is the possibility of a waiver deal out there.
How fun it is to see a full, rowdy Wrigley Field again. The bleacher improvements are great. They've started erecting the building on the Triangle Lot. The whole organization is on the upswing with a deeply talented farm system.
Look for me in the bleachers on Wednesday in my trademark black Iowa hat.
How fun it is to see a full, rowdy Wrigley Field again. The bleacher improvements are great. They've started erecting the building on the Triangle Lot. The whole organization is on the upswing with a deeply talented farm system.
Look for me in the bleachers on Wednesday in my trademark black Iowa hat.
I was hoping someone would dig this up. The hottest team in baseball. The Pirates are losing 5-1 so the Cubs could be 2 games back of actually hosting the Wild Card game. 6 more games against the Bucs and 3 more against these Giants. Long ways to go but I think it's safe to say this team is ahead of schedule.
You have to give credit to Maddon for having the b*lls to bench Castro. It's best for the team but it could have caused a problem in the locker room and with the FO. He likely talked over the decision with Theo before he made the move, but it's absolutely the correct move. Same with pulling Hammel early in the game the other day. You can't screw around in games now. Every one of these games is huge now and you can't give games away trying to protect players from a bruised ego.
This is one of the positives of having the the second Wild Card. Of course, one of the negatives is that the Pirates who would be leading every other division and only a half game back in the AL Central, have to play a one game elimination game.
So would I but I like the Cubs chances with Arrieta or Lester pitching. I think Joe would go with Arrieta because Pitt best bats hit from the right side of the plate.
Nice start to the Brewers series. An early 4-0 lead even though the home plate umpire just jobbed Jorge Soler on a strike 3 call. Good that he didn't swing at that thing.
This is a good week for the Cubs to keep riding the hot streak. 3 at home with the Brewers who traded away everything not bolted down and have cratered since the trade deadline. And, 3 with the Sox in the Cesspool who have cratered and missed the opportunity to trade away everything not bolted down.
This is a good week for the Cubs to keep riding the hot streak. 3 at home with the Brewers who traded away everything not bolted down and have cratered since the trade deadline. And, 3 with the Sox in the Cesspool who have cratered and missed the opportunity to trade away everything not bolted down.
Why did the Sox not trade Shark? I can understand not trading pieces that will be available next year, but Shark is a FA at the end of the season. I guess they could make him a QO and get a comp pick but the non-trade with him baffles me. They need to rebuild or at least a major overhaul. Not that I really care about the Sox, but can't figure out what the FO is trying to do.
I heard a long interview with Kenny Williams on the Score the day after the trade deadline had passed. He was overcome with delusion and kept repeating that the Sox were in the race. It isn't just Shark. They passed on trading away anyone because they just couldn't admit they assembled a bad team. It looked good on paper in the Spring, but on the field this Sox team has flaws.
They rolled the die. And I don't think they would have gotten much for him. He was ok in Oakland, but has been inconsistent all year with most consistency being towards poor. His ERA was around 5 last I looked. Im sure there would have been some takers, but I can guarantee you they wouldn't get anything remotely close to what the Cubs got for him. And I think he's got to be kicking himself for not taking the contract the Cubs offered him-- I don't think he'll see those numbers next year.
No. I hate the Cards and want the division. That Peralta homer in the top of the 9th before the all-star break still eats at me.
Yes. I hate the Cards but right now the objective is to catch the Pirates and secure the top wildcard spot. Then they can worry about the Cardinals.
Wrigley Field has had an eerie feeling to it during playoff games ever since the Bartman fiasco. I know conventional wisdom says you want the game at home, especially with the big left field PNC has and the difference between Schwarber and Marte playing out there. That may be a deciding factor in playing a season series, but for one game I would almost rather have the game on the road, or it's at least a toss up for me. My hatred for the Cards tips my rooting interest for the Bucs in this series then. Cubs still play 6 games against St Louis so I still think the division is a possibility. Also, the Cubs have been a very good team on the road this year.
It'll take a StL pitching collapse for the Cubs to overtake them. A half collapse for Pittsburgh to overtake StL. StL has used 21 ML pitchers so far. They have one pitcher (Cards stats only) with a 5 ERA over 28 IP, and not anyone else with an ERA over 4.
Historically great pitching so far. I just don't see them collapsing. They'll call up everybody they've used so far that is healthy for September, so they should be able to limit September innings for their starters.
I'm more worried about Holliday returning than I am a September pitching collapse.
However, back to the Cubs. As we have seen many times in recent years...all the Cubs have to do is get in the wild card. I'd take my chances with an Arietta or Lester versus a Liriano or Cole any day. I like the Russell/Castro change...you HAVE to have a SS you can trust defensively.
And given StL no longer has the playoff hammer in Wainwright...and Martinez/Wacha easily maxing out career highs in IP...again, anything can happen. Hell, right now, the Mets are the team I wouldn't want to play, assuming their kid starters hold up to September.
I think the NL is wide open.
Historically great pitching so far. I just don't see them collapsing. They'll call up everybody they've used so far that is healthy for September, so they should be able to limit September innings for their starters.
I'm more worried about Holliday returning than I am a September pitching collapse.
However, back to the Cubs. As we have seen many times in recent years...all the Cubs have to do is get in the wild card. I'd take my chances with an Arietta or Lester versus a Liriano or Cole any day. I like the Russell/Castro change...you HAVE to have a SS you can trust defensively.
And given StL no longer has the playoff hammer in Wainwright...and Martinez/Wacha easily maxing out career highs in IP...again, anything can happen. Hell, right now, the Mets are the team I wouldn't want to play, assuming their kid starters hold up to September.
I think the NL is wide open.
Walk Off winner. Cubs also pick up another game on the Buccos. Now 1.5 games back from the top Wild Card spot
Hammel pretty unhappy he got pulled. Can't argue with the results though....
Only thing that concerns me with these early yanks is the toll on the pen. Maddon is a magician so I'm not too concerned but it's something to keep in mind down the stretch.
Only thing that concerns me with these early yanks is the toll on the pen. Maddon is a magician so I'm not too concerned but it's something to keep in mind down the stretch.
We've had an 8/9 person pen all year. Im not worried about it especially when Arrieta and Lester go 7 every game
I am not sure that Lester's yips have been with him his whole career. Ross is a black hole offensively. Funny that Joe doesn't hold him as accountable as other players.
Fun day at Wrigley today with the Blue Angels flying around the stadium and over the lake.
Fun day at Wrigley today with the Blue Angels flying around the stadium and over the lake.
How many catchers aren't "black holdes" offensively? Ross is fine as Lester's catcher. Remember, you have basically switched Castro for Schwarber. Nice upgrade offensively.
The post season is a crapshoot. Ross could end up being the MVP in a series. I doubt it, but weirder sh*t has happened.
Man, thank god Samardijizia turned down that 18 million dollar a year deal with the Cubs last year.
Hawk Harrelson is the worst. I can't stand listening to him, regardless if it's against the Cubs or not.
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