2009 Cubs

[Dan Michler]

Wow, hard to make sense of that post, but I'm guessing you are excited about the Cardinals being 4 1/2 up on the Cubs half way through the season?

I like how the 1st paragraph states the Cards are not overachieving and the last paragraph states that you figured St. Louis would struggle this year.  According to my dictionary, 'overachieving' would be considered performing better than expectations.....

[StrikerME02]

Opening Day baby!  Thank god the MLB schedulers got a little smarter this year and put the Cubs in Houston and Milwaukee to start out the year instead of getting games snowed out or playing in 30 degree weather.

I'm feeling jacked up for this season.  I nailed last year's NL Central standings perfectly, so I'll give you some insight as to what is going down this year in the Division.

1. Cubs........A strong lineup that led the league in runs scored last year.  Hopefully Soto can avoid a sophmore slump and Bradley can play 120 games.  Soriano has produced 2 of his highest 3 career slugging %'s with the Cubs the last 2 seasons.  If he can play 155 games, I look for a 40 HR/30 SB season.  Lee is a .290 20 HR 90 RBI guy at this point.  Aram is the model of consistency, expect him to give us the same as last year.  Rotation has some question marks, but its still a top 5 rotation in the NL.  Bullpen, I like Marmol in the setup role and hopefully everything else just magically works out.  You never know with any team's bullpen in the preseason.  Just have to wait and keep your fingers crossed.

2.  Brewers......Well they didn't make any improvements and lost Sabathia.  I still like a lineup with Fielder, Braun, and Hart.  I also really like Gallardo.  They should be the Cubs stiffest competition.

3.  Cardinals....On paper they suck, but they are the Cardinals and always seem to overachieve.  Need Wainwright and Carpenter healthy.  Not sure if Ludwick can give them another year like 2008, but Ankiel seems to keep improving and Khalil Greene will probably have a renaissance year now that he's in a St. Louis uniform.  The Cardinals are just lucky like that.

4. Reds....If they'd lose Dusty Baker they might be contending with the Cubs.  Rotation with Harang, Volquez, and Cueto seems nice until Dusty overworks them.  Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are two of the best young hitters in the league, but since when has Dusty ever gotten the most out of his young guys.

5. Houston....Brutal pitching staff.  Maybe I.Rod and Tejada can juice this team up though!

6. Pittsburgh....They are who we thought they were.

2 days from the All Star Break, you have 3 teams correct(Brewers, Reds, Pirates), not bad.  Let me try to break this down without hoping... LOL



  Cardinals 48 40 .545   --  ( With The BEST PLAYER to ever walk this EARTH  , and the 3rd winningest MANAGER of ALLTIME, it's not OVERACHEAVING, it is KNOWING how to win!! If Lohse comes back healthy, and we get ROY HALLADAY from Toronto??? LOOK OUT!)
  Brewers 44 42 .512  3.0 ( Without SHEETS every 5 days, this offense can't win every game. They need pitching)
     Astros 43 43 .500  4.0  ( With those names, these guys will contend. Wandy Rodriguez is having a JIM DANDY of a year on the mound. We knew Berkman, Lee, and Tejada could hit)
Cincinnati  42 43 .494  4.5  ( You are correct about Dusty. Until he is gone, this TALENTED TEAM will have to wait to win. Up 3-0 bases loaded 2 outs, YOU DON'T PITCH TO PUJOLS!!! WALK in 1 run, the next guy flew out, would have ended the inning. Pujols hit the Grand Slam, REDS LOSE!)
Chicago    41 42 .494   4.5  ( WOW, HOLY COW, 5TH PLACE??? ?? What a JOKE. Spend all that money on Bradley? OUCH! ALL that talent and they lose 4 straight to a team that SUCKS ON PAPER?? Actually down 7-3 to the 1st Place Redbirds h2h this year. Yes injuries kill a good team, but no one cared the last 2 years when Carpenter was hurt, I was told to suck it up. Guess it's that time for you Cubbie Lovers? Again, WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR)
Pittsburgh 38 48 .442   9.0  ( Glad the STEELERS don't represent this City the way the Pirates do  )


Not trying to start a war here guys, just giving my input on this season. I just can't beleive the Cubs are not dominating this division, as starting the season they were favored to win the Series?? I figured St. Louis would struggle, but with that Awesome April, now this Red Hot start to July, with Capenter, Wainwright, and Pineiro getting quality starts, and Rasmus(The ROY), Ludwick getting Hot, and the ALL WORLD Pujols, 32HR, 85RBI, .338 AVG flirting with the Triple Crown( would be the 1st in NL since 1937) this team will be tough if they avoid the injuries the Cubs have had to deal with this year.
Houston will be there in the end as well I think. And IF?? Lou gets his players all on the same page, it may come down to a 3-4 team race if Milwaukees Bats get real hot.?   

I don't think that you can make an assumption half way through the season. Just like I don't like it when people decide on who's going to win the division before the season even starts because you can never tell with injuries. The cubs have gotten killed with injuries this year. Yes carpenter was injured last year, but how many of your other big names were out for a good length of time. The cubs have lost Ramirez twice, Bradley (that was a plus), Lee, Zambrano, Harden, and now Dempster and Soto. Just look at all those big names and then compare that to Chris Carpenter. I'm just sayin', one side has enough weight to catapault the Cardinal's injuries from last year into the heavens. I will give it to you that f the season ended in the next week the Cardinals would certainly be in the playoffs with their division, but you can't predict that now because guess what. What if the only guy who makes the team "click" gets injured. If Albert Pujols is sidelined for a length of time the redbirds will fall apart. Yea the Dodgers power hitter Manny got suspended for 50 games and that didn't seem to affect the dodgers to much, but he doesn't bring a team together. Pujols is the reason hitters like Ludwick can get so hot. There is stilll half of the season left and who knows if the cubs can finally learn to score runs and keep there start pitching dominant there is no way that they can't take the division. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I just don't see how a team as stacked as the Cubs will not get hot at some point, and I truly believe they eventually will and then you better watch out. I am going to the game tomorrow (7/12) against the redbirds and hopefully the Cubs can start playing offense again.

[pdga#7648]

Wow, hard to make sense of that post, but I'm guessing you are excited about the Cardinals being 4 1/2 up on the Cubs half way through the season?

I like how the 1st paragraph states the Cards are not overachieving and the last paragraph states that you figured St. Louis would struggle this year.  According to my dictionary, 'overachieving' would be considered performing better than expectations.....

your original post said St.Louis ALWAYS overachieves, and that just is not true. A team that has the most World Series Titles in the NL is not a team that has won them by overachieving! But by being good. You don't see them having the best record in baseball, just to be SWEPT in the 1st Rd of the playoffs, that would be those Cubs!

And yes, very excited to be 4 1/2 up on the team that was picked to win it all. But feels even better beating up on you after the last couple of years of getting beat on. They are going for 5 straight today. 

[pdga#7648]

I don't think that you can make an assumption half way through the season. Just like I don't like it when people decide on who's going to win the division before the season even starts because you can never tell with injuries. The cubs have gotten killed with injuries this year. Yes carpenter was injured last year, but how many of your other big names were out for a good length of time. The cubs have lost Ramirez twice, Bradley (that was a plus), Lee, Zambrano, Harden, and now Dempster and Soto. Just look at all those big names and then compare that to Chris Carpenter. I'm just sayin', one side has enough weight to catapault the Cardinal's injuries from last year into the heavens. I will give it to you that f the season ended in the next week the Cardinals would certainly be in the playoffs with their division, but you can't predict that now because guess what. What if the only guy who makes the team "click" gets injured. If Albert Pujols is sidelined for a length of time the redbirds will fall apart. Yea the Dodgers power hitter Manny got suspended for 50 games and that didn't seem to affect the dodgers to much, but he doesn't bring a team together. Pujols is the reason hitters like Ludwick can get so hot. There is stilll half of the season left and who knows if the cubs can finally learn to score runs and keep there start pitching dominant there is no way that they can't take the division. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I just don't see how a team as stacked as the Cubs will not get hot at some point, and I truly believe they eventually will and then you better watch out. I am going to the game tomorrow (7/12) against the redbirds and hopefully the Cubs can start playing offense again.
[/quote]


I'm not counting on anything at the halfway point, just pointing out the facts to all you DREAMERS in DREAMLAND Chicago. The Cubs have so much talent, but can never find a way to win when they are suppose to. They have struggled all year to play .500 ball, and are under it again, Thanks to the Redbirds.

[StrikerME02]

I don't think that you can make an assumption half way through the season. Just like I don't like it when people decide on who's going to win the division before the season even starts because you can never tell with injuries. The cubs have gotten killed with injuries this year. Yes carpenter was injured last year, but how many of your other big names were out for a good length of time. The cubs have lost Ramirez twice, Bradley (that was a plus), Lee, Zambrano, Harden, and now Dempster and Soto. Just look at all those big names and then compare that to Chris Carpenter. I'm just sayin', one side has enough weight to catapault the Cardinal's injuries from last year into the heavens. I will give it to you that f the season ended in the next week the Cardinals would certainly be in the playoffs with their division, but you can't predict that now because guess what. What if the only guy who makes the team "click" gets injured. If Albert Pujols is sidelined for a length of time the redbirds will fall apart. Yea the Dodgers power hitter Manny got suspended for 50 games and that didn't seem to affect the dodgers to much, but he doesn't bring a team together. Pujols is the reason hitters like Ludwick can get so hot. There is stilll half of the season left and who knows if the cubs can finally learn to score runs and keep there start pitching dominant there is no way that they can't take the division. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I just don't see how a team as stacked as the Cubs will not get hot at some point, and I truly believe they eventually will and then you better watch out. I am going to the game tomorrow (7/12) against the redbirds and hopefully the Cubs can start playing offense again.

I'm not counting on anything at the halfway point, just pointing out the facts to all you DREAMERS in DREAMLAND Chicago. The Cubs have so much talent, but can never find a way to win when they are suppose to. They have struggled all year to play .500 ball, and are under it again, Thanks to the Redbirds.



[/quote]

You kind of messed up the quote there.

What's wrong with dreaming. I wanted to point out that you can't even begin to compare the Cardinal's injuries last year to the pile the Cubs have had this year, and it is only half way over and they have had way more bignames than the Cardinal's last year. WEre still only 4.5 games back so we really dont have to dream with half the season left. What has been said is that no team can run away with it while the Cub are having all their woes plague them. That is what make me crack up about the Cardinal's they don't no how to run away with the division, and they are keeping it very close with pratically the whole division right behind their back.

[pdga#7648]

I don't think that you can make an assumption half way through the season. Just like I don't like it when people decide on who's going to win the division before the season even starts because you can never tell with injuries. The cubs have gotten killed with injuries this year. Yes carpenter was injured last year, but how many of your other big names were out for a good length of time. The cubs have lost Ramirez twice, Bradley (that was a plus), Lee, Zambrano, Harden, and now Dempster and Soto. Just look at all those big names and then compare that to Chris Carpenter. I'm just sayin', one side has enough weight to catapault the Cardinal's injuries from last year into the heavens. I will give it to you that f the season ended in the next week the Cardinals would certainly be in the playoffs with their division, but you can't predict that now because guess what. What if the only guy who makes the team "click" gets injured. If Albert Pujols is sidelined for a length of time the redbirds will fall apart. Yea the Dodgers power hitter Manny got suspended for 50 games and that didn't seem to affect the dodgers to much, but he doesn't bring a team together. Pujols is the reason hitters like Ludwick can get so hot. There is stilll half of the season left and who knows if the cubs can finally learn to score runs and keep there start pitching dominant there is no way that they can't take the division. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I just don't see how a team as stacked as the Cubs will not get hot at some point, and I truly believe they eventually will and then you better watch out. I am going to the game tomorrow (7/12) against the redbirds and hopefully the Cubs can start playing offense again.

I'm not counting on anything at the halfway point, just pointing out the facts to all you DREAMERS in DREAMLAND Chicago. The Cubs have so much talent, but can never find a way to win when they are suppose to. They have struggled all year to play .500 ball, and are under it again, Thanks to the Redbirds.

You kind of messed up the quote there.

What's wrong with dreaming. I wanted to point out that you can't even begin to compare the Cardinal's injuries last year to the pile the Cubs have had this year, and it is only half way over and they have had way more bignames than the Cardinal's last year. WEre still only 4.5 games back so we really dont have to dream with half the season left. What has been said is that no team can run away with it while the Cub are having all their woes plague them. That is what make me crack up about the Cardinal's they don't no how to run away with the division, and they are keeping it very close with pratically the whole division right behind their back.
[/quote]

but not to bad for a team picked to finish 4th in the division. And yes, alot more injuries from the Cubs I agree. But I brought up Carpenter cause he was our STUD starting pitcher, used to getting 30 starts. Position players easier to fill than your #1 pitcher. And your injuries are not to BIG NAMES. Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano are your only proven great players. The Soto's, Theriot's Fotenot's and Fukodomes had ABOVE AVERAGE seasons a year ago. The real them is showing up this year. Not anyone on the team, besides Ramirez batting over .300. And he is only cause he sat out so long. 

[pdga#7648]

Uh-oh, Cubs should get the win up 5-1, but it may have came with a price. Lee went out with Neck Spasms 

[Bruce Brakel]

"Not trying to start a war here."  Just gonna occupy Poland for a bit.   

[Dan Michler]

Uh-oh, Cubs should get the win up 5-1, but it may have came with a price. Lee went out with Neck Spasms 

cubs now just 1 game back and actually 1 game up in the loss column.  pdga#7648?

[pdga#7648]

still pretty piss pour for all that money they spent! And still TRAILING the best franchise in the NATIONAL LEAGUE!!!
With all that talent, they should have about a 10 game lead in that division. But it is the Cubs we are talking about, the best in the National League at CHOKING!!

[Dan Michler]

still pretty piss pour for all that money they spent! And still TRAILING the best franchise in the NATIONAL LEAGUE!!!
With all that talent, they should have about a 10 game lead in that division. But it is the Cubs we are talking about, the best in the National League at CHOKING!!

Cubs in 1st place.  pdga#7648?

[Steven Jacobs]

Keep up the good work cubbies 

[keitherboo]

Chicago    41 42 .494   4.5  WOW, HOLY COW, 5TH PLACE??? ?? What a JOKE.

What did we say about "the season is only half way over?"  Look who's leading the division now.  Even if it's only by a half game, it's hard to call us a joke now.  Perhaps a pun, though.

[stpitner]

nice to see Milton Bradley and Soriano suddenly making those 5 and 6 holes a lot more formidable and what we've expected all year long.  Hopefully Soto can play like the ROY that he is when he gets back and compensates if any of these guys cool off.

I like Lou's lineup's that are going out there right now.  Yeah it was two bad Astros pitchers, but it wasn't just score in one inning and done - they kept adding on and scored 12 runs in both of those games - awesome.

[pdga#7648]

Chicago    41 42 .494   4.5  WOW, HOLY COW, 5TH PLACE??? ?? What a JOKE.

What did we say about "the season is only half way over?"  Look who's leading the division now.  Even if it's only by a half game, it's hard to call us a joke now.  Perhaps a pun, though.

St. Louis is!   

[Sr.]

nice to see Milton Bradley and Soriano suddenly making those 5 and 6 holes a lot more formidable and what we've expected all year long.  Hopefully Soto can play like the ROY that he is when he gets back and compensates if any of these guys cool off.

I like Lou's lineup's that are going out there right now.  Yeah it was two bad Astros pitchers, but it wasn't just score in one inning and done - they kept adding on and scored 12 runs in both of those games - awesome.

Hill has the best winning percentage for all Cubs catchers. Very underated!

[Bruce Brakel]

Hill has the best winning percentage for all Cubs catchers. Very underated!

I read an article not so long ago about a very successful basketball coach who attributed his success to taking a different look at statistics.  Instead of looking at scoring, rebounding, assists and other traditional individual stats, he looked at points for player X's team versus points for the opponents when player X is on the court compared to how the two teams did against each other for the game.  There are some players who add things to the team that don't appear in any traditional stat but who stand out when you look at this nontraditional stat.  He built a successful team by acquiring a bunch of second string and unrecognized players by mining this one stat. 

Your post reminded me of that.  I wonder if anyone has thought to mine that stat and apply it to baseball.  Any baseball fans know?

[airspuds]

did the Marlins really bring a goat on the field ?

[fathergod]

   Ever since the Cubs blew the last few games away last year, I can't watch them 
If only my grandfather was still alive.  He'd smack me and say..


"What are you watching the Cubs for?  The Sox are the better team!"

[Dan Michler]

Cubs back in a tie with the Cards for 1st (actually 2 ahead in the loss column), still a long way to go but the Cubs are playing their best baseball of the season right now.

Didn't someone on this thread mention Colby Rasmus for Rookie of the Year?

Randy Wells  8-4  2.73 ERA
Colby Rasmus   .252  11 HR  35 RBI.....on pace for 17 HR  54 RBI in 483 AB