*****Official Cubs 2019 thread*****

[HawkeyesAndCubs1023]

Does it feel like the end of this run is upon us? They've battled valiantly the last couple of weeks, but this team is not very good without Rizzo and Baez. The damage was done earlier in the year.

The Cardinals will win 3 out of 4, Kris Bryant will perform horribly as he always does against STL, and that will likely be all she wrote.

I hope that the home crowd gives a nice ovation to Maddon, Zobrist, Hamels, and Strop, as they will likely never wear a Cubs uniform in Wrigley Field again.

 

[dgordo]

another injury

 

[MitchLL]

As others have already pointed out... the Cubs fate was sealed when they waited too long to address the bullpen shortcomings.

That, and the fact that Maddon manages like he doesn't really give a shit.

 

[dgordo]

As others have already pointed out... the Cubs fate was sealed when they waited too long to address the bullpen shortcomings.

That, and the fact that Maddon manages like he doesn't really give a shit.

Maddon is a very laid back person who believes the players perform better when they are given freedom. The problem since 2016 is that some of the vets that kept the team in order are gone and were never replaced. No one is holding anyone responsible for the numerous mental mistakes made. Id like to see a manager brought in who practices accountability.

 

[hawkfan0319]

Probably, but it sure wouldn't surprise me. And then get 1 run the rest of the weekend.

 

[TheCainer]

Here we go ... facing one of the hottest pitchers in the league tonight.

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Only 1 or 2 in our lineup have hit Flaherty well. Hendricks better pitch a CG shutout.

 

[HawkeyesAndCubs1023]

Maddon is a very laid back person who believes the players perform better when they are given freedom. The problem since 2016 is that some of the vets that kept the team in order are gone and were never replaced. No one is holding anyone responsible for the numerous mental mistakes made. Id like to see a manager brought in who practices accountability.

The next manager will still inherit the same pitching infrastructure, flawed roster, and tire fire of a farm system.

The Cubs will likely be worse in 2020 than in 2019, and Theo will have nobody left to scapegoat.

 

[dgordo]

The next manager will still inherit the same pitching infrastructure, flawed roster, and tire fire of a farm system.

The Cubs will likely be worse in 2020 than in 2019, and Theo will have nobody left to scapegoat.

the farm system issues certainly won’t be fixed but I think you are overestimating the difficulty of rebuilding the pen and lineup. The core of the lineup is as good as any team but the role players don’t compliment the core.

 

[mstp1992]

the farm system issues certainly won’t be fixed but I think you are overestimating the difficulty of rebuilding the pen and lineup. The core of the lineup is as good as any team but the role players don’t compliment the core.

The bullpen needed a bona fide closer from day one, not a committee of fools.

 

[dgordo]

Hmmmm

 

[dgordo]

The bullpen needed a bona fide closer from day one, not a committee of fools.

I agree. Huge mistake to count on morrow.

 

[dgordo]

 

[bagdropper]

Wow, Rizzo. Looks like he was running on ice fielding that bunt. He couldn't plant at all.

 

[bagdropper]

and of course next PA, goes oppo. Unreal. Can't really move at all, but he can still swing the bat.

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[HawkRugged17]

 

[hawkifann]

You conveniently left out Strop and Norwood.

I talked about Strop earlier. I'd have left him in longer, as the hits were just ground balls that found holes, but whatever. As for Norwood, this team should not be in a position where they have to rely on a guy who had an ERA over 5 in AAA in the 10th inning of what's basically a playoff game.

But I wanted to point out that last night wasn't really the pen's fault. You gotta score some runs.....that and Chatwood and Wick were fantastic.

 

[hawkifann]

3 games out of first in the division & at the moment tied for a wild card spot. 7 games left against the Cardinals, how the hell can you give up on them?

There are a lot of fans who have been through a lot more than me, I wasn't alive in 1969....but I remember the Padres series in 1984 and the 14,000 pitcher injuries that wrecked a promising 1985 season. I remember going back in the tank until 1989 came out of nowhere, then Will Clark happened. I saw Maddux leave, the wreckage that was most of the 1990s and the on-going tease that was Kerry Wood. 2003 was great fun until it wasn't and 2004 burned the house down. Then a missed opportunity in 2008-2010, then all the way back in the tank.

The run since 2015 is as good as it's ever been for me. I'm not in love with all of it, it hasn't all gone the way I'd want it to go, but holy hell it's fun to be in late September watching the Cubs play baseball that matters. Opportunities to win in baseball are precious, so enjoy them when you have the chance.

 

[mstp1992]

The bullpen is the reason the Cubs aren’t in first place by several games.

They collectively choked away far too many games throughout the season. I don’t care if they should or shouldn’t be in the majors. The fact is they’re paid major league money and most have failed to earn their salaries.

 

[noleclone2]

Cubs scored 55 runs Friday through Monday and I can genuinely see them not scoring 55 runs the rest of season.

 

[QChawks]

This team is shit

 

[mstp1992]

Goddamn Cubs, choking again.

Schwarber sucks in the outfield.

Hendricks pitched poorly.

Cubs can’t hit.

 

[dgordo]

The bullpen is the reason the Cubs aren’t in first place by several games.

They collectively choked away far too many games throughout the season. I don’t care if they should or shouldn’t be in the majors. The fact is they’re paid major league money and most have failed to earn their salaries.

Bullpen ERA can be deceiving but the cubs are 8th in bullpen era. There are also between 8-10 in several other categories like BA, OBP, OPS and OPS+. It’s no surprise the cubs are essentially fighting for the 10th playoff spot.

 

[MuscoHawk]

Cubs are in another one of their hitting funks at the worst time. Just like last season. This one is over. Pray for the Wild Card.

 

[bagdropper]

You guys do realize Flaherty has been on a couple month roll that is darn near historic, Arrieta level great, correct?

Yes, Hendricks not being his usual shut StL down great was surprising - but Jack has been darn near unhittable the past 10 or so starts.

Besides...game ain't even over yet. StL's bullpen has been shaky recently also.

 

[mstp1992]

God, Schwarber is stupid!

 

[hawkifann]

Just terrible baseball.

 

[dgordo]

 

[mstp1992]

You guys do realize Flaherty has been on a couple month roll that is darn near historic, Arrieta level great, correct?

Yes, Hendricks not being his usual shut StL down great was surprising - but Jack has been darn near unhittable the past 10 or so starts.

Besides...game ain't even over yet. StL's bullpen has been shaky recently also.

No excuse.

Cubs aren’t even giving 100% at this point.

Simple task: get the runner in from 3rd.

Contreras failed.

Cubs hitters failed.

Hendricks failed.

The Cubs suck right now, and frankly look like they don’t give a damn.

 

[mstp1992]

Bullpen ERA can be deceiving but the cubs are 8th in bullpen era. There are also between 8-10 in several other categories like BA, OBP, OPS and OPS+. It’s no surprise the cubs are essentially fighting for the 10th playoff spot.

20th in save percentage.

Awful pitching.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Seeing bad baseball by this team is the norm. Not even surprising when you see base running like that

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Seeing bad baseball by this team is the norm. Not even surprising when you see base running like that

glass half full bud


bye bye maddumb!

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Just terrible baseball.

pretty damn lazy too!

 

[hawkifann]

pretty damn lazy too!

It wasn't lazy, there's no need to trash character, it was just non-committal. If contact play is on, you're toast, but you're going much faster and you're just dead to rights. He was tentative and that's a place where you can't be tentative. Even if you're on contact and you go hard, you make the pitcher really focus on what you're doing and make a choice to throw ahead or behind you, which can make a big difference. He just kind of got caught and wasn't sure what to do.

 

[noleclone2]

What a disgusting turd of a game.

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

A homer, two singles, and a walk. Your 2019 Cubs offense folks

What a shit show. This looks like last year.

 

[SoDakHawk]

This is like watching the knife slowly get pushed into your chest.

Will be one game out if the WC with the Brewers holding the tie breaker, so essentially two games out. Even with all these games against the Cards I don't see catching them with the way these two teams have been playing. I'm thinking this season just got put on ice tonight.

 

[dgordo]

The next manager will still inherit the same pitching infrastructure, flawed roster, and tire fire of a farm system.

The Cubs will likely be worse in 2020 than in 2019, and Theo will have nobody left to scapegoat.

One other thing about maddon and scapegoating; this isn’t all on joe, but from 2015-2019 the cubs went from being one of the best fielding and base running teams to being the worst. That’s lack of discipline and not enough emphasis on fundamentals. We rightfully trashed matheny for this.

 

[HawkRugged17]

Rally time in the ninth. One run in, one out, 2nd and 3rd ... and Javy looming on base.

 

[Run&Blade]

I wouldn’t throw strikes. Cubs swing at anything.