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

[33hawkfan]

Any idea who has the best record in one run games in the NL in 2019?

SF Giants 37-16/including 13-2 in extra innings (overall record 75-81)

And the 2016 Cubs had a losing record in one run games, that's why those mentally weak losers only won 103 games and a World Series.

 

[hawkifann]

And the 2016 Cubs had a losing record in one run games, that's why those mentally weak losers only won 103 games and a World Series.

They did manage to go 1 game over .500 in WS game 7s decided by 1 run.

 

[mstp1992]

And the 2016 Cubs had a losing record in one run games, that's why those mentally weak losers only won 103 games and a World Series.

Cubs were 1st in the league at home.

2nd in the league on the road.

3rd in the league in extra-inning games.

And, right in the middle of the pack in 1-run games (15th).

That team had heart, a will to win, mental fortitude, unlike this year's version.

You need better statistics if you're going to try to make a point.

 

[33hawkfan]

Cubs were 1st in the league at home.

2nd in the league on the road.

3rd in the league in extra-inning games.

And, right in the middle of the pack in 1-run games (15th).

That team had heart, a will to win, mental fortitude, unlike this year's version.

You need better statistics if you're going to try to make a point.

Nope if they did have mental fortitude, why did they lose more one run games than they won? That team really was a bunch of front runners. They under achieved all the expected win metrics by 5-10 games. If that team was mentally strong, they should have easily won 110+ games. Was definitely a sign of things to come and not surprising in retrospect considering so many of the same guys are still on the team.

 

[mstp1992]

Nope if they did have mental fortitude, why did they lose more one run games than they won? That team really was a bunch of front runners. They under achieved all the expected win metrics by 5-10 games. If that team was mentally strong, they should have easily won 110+ games. Was definitely a sign of things to come and not surprising in retrospect considering so many of the same guys are still on the team.

Keep trying. At some point in your life, you just might understand logic.

 

[33hawkfan]

Keep trying. At some point in your life, you just might understand logic.

Why else do you lose one run games if you aren't mentally weak?

 

[Hwki6sn]

Long time listener, first time caller. This whole "mental fortitude" and "they don't care enough" stuff is the biggest cop-out there is. Every team cares and wants to win just as much as the next guy. Baseball is a funny game that the numbers sometimes just don't back up in the w/l category. It happens, sometimes you get the breaks and sometimes you don't. It has nothing to do with not caring enough.

 

[mstp1992]

Why else do you lose one run games if you aren't mentally weak?

The problem with you is that your thought processes are too concrete. You don’t seem to be able to think abstractly.

 

[mstp1992]

Long time listener, first time caller. This whole "mental fortitude" and "they don't care enough" stuff is the biggest cop-out there is. Every team cares and wants to win just as much as the next guy. Baseball is a funny game that the numbers sometimes just don't back up in the w/l category. It happens, sometimes you get the breaks and sometimes you don't. It has nothing to do with not caring enough.

You are correct in many cases. Stuff happens, physical errors are made, strike outs happen, other teams will get breaks, perform well, etc.

If a player gives 100% all the time, keeps his head in the game each and every opportunity, then whatever happens, happens. I’ve been a Cubs fan for 50 years. I’ve seen some horrendous teams.

However, this season was particularly disappointing because the Cubs had far too many instances in which they lacked focus, did not understand the game situation, lacked fortitude, crumbled under pressure, (I’m including Maddon, too), and in turn played below expectations of what should have been a very good season.

 

[rk#5]

Keep trying. At some point in your life, you just might understand logic.

Someday, you might get there also.

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

Hey, I was trying to be sympathetic to one of the " good " Cub posters. I have been drinking you know. First I was called out for misplacing an apostrophe, now this.

Jason Haywood is Justin Heyward's twin brother, separated at birth. The one who wanted to leave St Louis for Chicago, where he could " compete for multiple championships ". The Cardinals will win their 10th division title in the last 20 years this week. Someone's agent should have told "Heywad " which city has all the " multiple championships ".

Congrats on your great year in 2019. But lets be real. Jason didnt say he wanted to play for the team that has won the most divisions in the last 20 years. He said he wanted to compete in them going forward. Since then, the cubs won the World Series, made it to the NLCS, and tied for first place. Competed for championships in 3/4 years. Cardinals competed in 1/4 years.

 

[mstp1992]

Someday, you might get there also.

I understand human behavior far better than you could ever hope to.

 

[rk#5]

I understand human behavior far better than you could ever hope to.

and you know this how?

 

[rk#5]

Congrats on your great year in 2019. But lets be real. Jason didnt say he wanted to play for the team that has won the most divisions in the last 20 years. He said he wanted to compete in them going forward. Since then, the cubs won the World Series, made it to the NLCS, and tied for first place. Competed for championships in 3/4 years. Cardinals competed in 1/4 years.

That's a great 3 year stretch for the Cubs...that shows the difference between the 2 franchises. Cubs were bound to make some noise at some point with multiple high draft picks and money to spend. Cardinals don't have the luxury of big spending and top 10 draft picks.

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

That's a great 3 year stretch for the Cubs...that shows the difference between the 2 franchises. Cubs were bound to make some noise at some point with multiple high draft picks and money to spend. Cardinals don't have the luxury of big spending and top 10 draft picks.

You are top 8 in payroll. Lets stop acting you are the Rays

What about all those comp picks you get for being in a "small market" even though you have top 10 revenues

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/do-the-cardinals-deserve-a-competitive-balance-pick/

 

[franklinman]

You are correct in many cases. Stuff happens, physical errors are made, strike outs happen, other teams will get breaks, perform well, etc.

If a player gives 100% all the time, keeps his head in the game each and every opportunity, then whatever happens, happens. I’ve been a Cubs fan for 50 years. I’ve seen some horrendous teams.

However, this season was particularly disappointing because the Cubs had far too many instances in which they lacked focus, did not understand the game situation, lacked fortitude, crumbled under pressure, (I’m including Maddon, too), and in turn played below expectations of what should have been a very good season.

EX, i have seen more swinging bunts for hits this yr than in the past.

 

[rk#5]

So you admit your original criticism of heyward made no since ? You are top 8 in payroll. Lets stop acting you are the Rays

What about all those comp picks you get for being in a "small market" even though you have top 10 revenues

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/do-the-cardinals-deserve-a-competitive-balance-pick/

My original criticism? I never said anything. Everything I said is true. Cardinals have had one losing season since 2000. St. Louis is considered a small market team. They spend bigger on their guys, not a fa.

 

[dgordo]

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

My original criticism? I never said anything. Everything I said is true. Cardinals have had one losing season since 2000. St. Louis is considered a small market team. They spend bigger on their guys, not a fa.

But since saying that, Heyward has competed for more championships then the cardinals. Which makes your original criticism of him pointless.

They spend bigger on their guys like Fowler (14 mil), Goldschmidt (15 mil), Ozuna (12 mil) Andrew Miller (11 mil) Mikolas (8 mil), Cecil (7 mil), Gergerson, Gyorko, Leake

Noone that is top 8 is spending is a small market.

 

[mstp1992]

and you know this how?

I suppose I shouldn’t assume that you don’t possess a similar professional background as myself.

Apologies, Sahib.

 

[rk#5]

But since saying that, Heyward has competed for more championships then the cardinals. Which makes your original criticism of him pointless.

They spend bigger on their guys like Fowler (14 mil), Goldschmidt (15 mil), Ozuna (12 mil) Andrew Miller (11 mil) Mikolas (8 mil), Cecil (7 mil), Gergerson, Gyorko, Leake

Noone that is top 8 is spending is a small market.

I think you have me confused with james...i never criticized Heyward. Those numbers you gave are not big fa numbers. Plus trading for 2 of them. Goldy was traded for then resigned. St. Louis as a city is considered small market

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

I think you have me confused with james...i never criticized Heyward. Those numbers you gave are not big fa numbers. Plus trading for 2 of them. Goldy was traded for then resigned. St. Louis as a city is considered small market

My bad the two cardinals aviators run together. You say that you are a small market but then say $70 million given to players not drafted by you are small numbers?

I understand that by population St Louis is a small market, but by revenues (which actually funds the team) they are not.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

Congrats on your great year in 2019. But lets be real. Jason didnt say he wanted to play for the team that has won the most divisions in the last 20 years. He said he wanted to compete in them going forward. Since then, the cubs won the World Series, made it to the NLCS, and tied for first place. Competed for championships in 3/4 years. Cardinals competed in 1/4 years.

Let’s just count World Series titles for both teams.

 

[TheCainer]

Heard an interesting stat on the radio this afternoon. This year, the Cubs scored 1/3 of their total runs to date in 22 games. The remaining 134 games they have averaged 3.9 runs a game. Their team ERA is 4.03.

Make of that what you want but it sounds like they were largely boom or bust, same as last year. Last year, they had 39 games where they scored 1 or no runs.

 

[HawkRugged17]

And so it begins ...

 

[HawkRugged17]

I suppose I shouldn’t assume that you don’t possess a similar professional background as myself.

Apologies, Sahib.

Joe Torre?

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

Congrats on your great year in 2019. But lets be real. Jason didnt say he wanted to play for the team that has won the most divisions in the last 20 years. He said he wanted to compete in them going forward. Since then, the cubs won the World Series, made it to the NLCS, and tied for first place. Competed for championships in 3/4 years. Cardinals competed in 1/4 years.

Thanks ( I think ), but not a necessarily a great year but a 20 year, average year for the Cardinals. You can have Heyward for the price you paid. He dissed the Cards on the way out saying Chicago was going to be more competitive. He didn't know much about history, I guess. The Cards win more than divisions. 4 WS ( 2 - 2 ) in the last 15 years. Cubs won't match that. Just the facts.

 

[33hawkfan]

[

Thanks ( I think ), but not a necessarily a great year but a 20 year, average year for the Cardinals. You can have Heyward for the price you paid. He dissed the Cards on the way out saying Chicago was going to be more competitive. He didn't know much about history, I guess. The Cards win more than divisions. 4 WS ( 2 - 2 ) in the last 15 years. Cubs won't match that. Just the facts.

Well you haven't won a single playoff series since he left, and he got a ring in Chicago. So yeah, he was right.

 

[rk#5]

[

Well you haven't won a single playoff series since he left, and he got a ring in Chicago. So yeah, he was right.

It was a great 3 year stretch for the Cubs. But you can't argue the direction of the Cubs is trending down again. They will have to spend more money this offseason to shore up some big gaps. Cubs took advantage of their high draft picks and spending to win a WS. Now it is time to see how they do with picking in the last half of the 1st round and see if they can develop players. Their minor leagues aren't to impressive right now.

 

[cidhawkeye]

I am just guessing that this is how it will be if Iowa loses to Nebraska. A bunch of puffed out chests(no pics) talking about their return to prominence. A claim to their history but not their recent past. Best fans in baseball = fake Nebraska sell out streak

 

[rk#5]

I am just guessing that this is how it will be if Iowa loses to Nebraska. A bunch of puffed out chests(no pics) talking about their return to prominence. A claim to their history but not their recent past. Best fans in baseball = fake Nebraska sell out streak

Not even close. Nebraska's prominence was 20 some years ago, Cardinals won the division a short 3 yrs ago. I never once puffed my chest out saying a return to prominence. Cubs thought their winning would last longer than it did. 2 division championships, 1 WS. Good stretch for them, not great though. And yes, it was a better three yr stretch than the Cardinals.

 

[dgordo]

@mstp1992

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

Thanks ( I think ), but not a necessarily a great year but a 20 year, average year for the Cardinals. You can have Heyward for the price you paid. He dissed the Cards on the way out saying Chicago was going to be more competitive. He didn't know much about history, I guess. The Cards win more than divisions. 4 WS ( 2 - 2 ) in the last 15 years. Cubs won't match that. Just the facts.

But the cubs have been more competitive since he said that. Just the facts

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

Let’s just count World Series titles for both teams.

Youve been hanging out with Nebraska fans too much

 

[33hawkfan]

It was a great 3 year stretch for the Cubs. But you can't argue the direction of the Cubs is trending down again. They will have to spend more money this offseason to shore up some big gaps. Cubs took advantage of their high draft picks and spending to win a WS. Now it is time to see how they do with picking in the last half of the 1st round and see if they can develop players. Their minor leagues aren't to impressive right now.

Well Heyward has an opt out after this year so he can feel free to move on again now, having been completely right that the Cubs were more competitive over that stretch than St Louis

 

[33hawkfan]

@mstp1992

View embedded media

2015 was the most enjoyable year for me. It's always more fun on the way up than it is once you get there.

 

[hawkifann]

It was a great 3 year stretch for the Cubs. But you can't argue the direction of the Cubs is trending down again. They will have to spend more money this offseason to shore up some big gaps. Cubs took advantage of their high draft picks and spending to win a WS. Now it is time to see how they do with picking in the last half of the 1st round and see if they can develop players. Their minor leagues aren't to impressive right now.

I would say a great 4 year run - NLCS in 2015, WS in 2016, NLCS in 2017 and even though they lost out in Game 163 and the WC game, they did win 95 games last year. Milwaukee had to win 19 of their last 25, 9 of their last 10 and their last 7 straight to even force Game 163.

That said, your larger point is mostly true. I'm not sure they necessarily HAVE to spend more money than they've been spending to be significantly improved. As has been cited in this thread, there's a lot of money coming off the books and they have some trade chips. The Cubs could be significantly better just by having a different mix of skillsets than they currently have for what amounts to the same money they're currently spending.

 

[mstp1992]

@mstp1992

View embedded media

So, I was right. The pressure was getting to them.

It's been a very good run, but the drop off this year was extremely disappointing.

I just hope they can bring in a better manager, better relievers, and get that mojo back that made them so exciting.

 

[dgordo]

I would say a great 4 year run - NLCS in 2015, WS in 2016, NLCS in 2017 and even though they lost out in Game 163 and the WC game, they did win 95 games last year. Milwaukee had to win 19 of their last 25, 9 of their last 10 and their last 7 straight to even force Game 163.

That said, your larger point is mostly true. I'm not sure they necessarily HAVE to spend more money than they've been spending to be significantly improved. As has been cited in this thread, there's a lot of money coming off the books and they have some trade chips. The Cubs could be significantly better just by having a different mix of skillsets than they currently have for what amounts to the same money they're currently spending.

one thing that many seem to be forgetting is that the cubs actually have ownership that wants to win. The tribune won by accident, the Ricketts will do what is necessary to compete.

 

[MitchLL]

Who's that clown that kept touting in June/July/August how the Cubs had such a tremendous "run differential"?

Exhibit A... pound on the hapless Pirates 47-15 for a +32 and in current six game losing streak a -7. That a +25 with a 3-6 record.

Just proves how stats can be misleading and Cubs don't pass the "eyeball test".