2012 Chicago Cubs

[pdga#7648]

just let me ask 1 question Mr. Guru....
If Cabrera wins the triple crown, which is very realistic, you have to give him the MVP hands down, don't ya? When was the last time it happened? I know it was YAZ, but what year? If Cabrera pulls it off(he is 2 behind in HR's, leads other 2 stats) you have to give it to him for that alone. IF Trout is this good, he will get his.  I say if because it is year 1. after pitchers figure him out, lets see if his #'s stay this good. Cabrera always puts up these power #'s.

I disagree, I say Cabrera should win this year.   


when did WAR even start figuring into these stats? couldn't have been very long ago. I never remember hearing of this. just another stat to make us think about it more.
507 AB and 121 K's compared to 567 AB and only 88 K's
23 more hits in just 60 more AB's
more doubles, HR's by 13, RBI's by 52, better avg, slg%
Take Cabrera away from Detroit, and they are not in contention. Even with Trout, Angels 4 games back of ANY Wildcard. The stats are right in front of us. I will even go as far as saying even if Cabrera doesn't win the Triple Crown, he still wins the MVP!

[pdga#7648]

Brett's Magic #7 with just 12 to play.
Doug's Magic #6. 

It's a shame they are on a 4 game skid with the Cardinals coming to town tomorrow riding a 4 game winning streak!
I'll be at Channahon Sunday Brett, or I could see ya at Homie! 

[Chainmeister]

I'm giving my vote to Trout, unless Cabrera does something truly remarkable over the next 2 weeks.

I don't think Dan is a card carrying member of the Baseball Writers but he is doing his research.  It may be that research and statistics do not reveal the winnerr this year. Both players are having monster years.  I think Cabrera is an underrated defensive player. He made a great play to save a run diving for a bad throw from an outfielder against the Sox last week.  However, I think Trout's defense is what makes the difference. He has shined in all facets of the game. So Dan, even though neither you nor I have a vote in anything I agree with you.

[airspuds]

I will be on the field in st Louis next weekend . 

[pdga#7648]

Both at Magic #6. This is really fun, and a great bet. Nail biter for sure.  Cards need 1 to win the season series and get me $20.00 in case I do lose this bet.  Today hurt bad, down to 1 strike and Barney hits a 2 run HR to tie?? WTF?? and where was Motte? he is tied for the league lead in saves and he is sitting?

[CEValkyrie]

It should be interesting. I really needed a win against Cincy. They had several chances to get one. Hoping to get 1 more against the Cards!

The Cubs got lucky today that this game didn't get rained out. Besides pitching a veteran catcher should be a huge priority. That play today that allowed the runner from 3rd is ridiculous.

[pdga#7648]

Magic #5 for me.  Thanks Beltran for HR #30 on the year off Marmol in the 9th to tie!

[pdga#7648]

Magic #6 with 9 to play.
(My magic #4 is looking great right now)  Have they had a week all year where they went 6-4? 

[CEValkyrie]

I still have a shot. Some really bad teams left to finish the season.

[pdga#7648]

The Fat Lady is warming up her voice!
they need 6 wins in the last 8 games! Best of luck!

[Dan Michler]

I don't get the Braves huge celebration.  They didn't win their division.  They won the right to play one extra game....one.  Either the Braves or the Cardinals in the NL, will be headed back home after that 1 extra game.  Its basically a coin flip.  I don't see it as a big accomplishment like being a division champ, or winning a playoff series.  I wouldn't even consider this a playoff series.  I didn't run around screaming in 1998 when the Cubs got into a 1 game playoff with the Giants for the WC spot.  I saved that for when they actually won that 1 game playoff, and the right to go get swept in a 3 game series.  I guess any excuse to pour champagne and pretend you won the WS is good enough.

[pdga#7648]

but they have won the right to play for a playoff spot. It is a big deal to some teams, especially after last years let down of letting the WS Champs into the playoffs for the Braves.

On a side note, it looks like the Cardinals will be the 1st team to ever win the 2nd wildcard spot. Just another 1st of many for that franchise!   

[pdga#7648]

I still have a shot. Some really bad teams left to finish the season.

I think he forgot that Chicago is also a terrible team, and are even more pathetic on the road than they are at Wrigley!

[pdga#7648]

Magic #6 still with 7 games to play.

2 more losses, should be here before Saturday!

[CEValkyrie]

It's over for me. During lunch I had the score on yesterday. They are something like 11-5 against the NL West at home. 0 fer on the road right now. That is mind boggling. All the one run losses are painful. I quit keeping track but it's a lot.

I gotta be honest. How are the Cubs not a 40-50 game winner this year? Most guys used in history. No Garza, Jeff S. or Dempster. At least we know who we have and don't this season. This should have started last year bringng guys up and playing the 2nd half. There's always next year.

[pdga#7648]

I am a nice guy Brett. I would be willing to say double or nothing that they lose 100 games??

[pdga#7648]

oh and BTW, they are 14-27 in those 1 run games. if it is any consolation, the World Champion Redbirds are just 20-26.

[airspuds]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--new-appreciation--replacement-refs-provide-a-glimpse-into-how-good-actual-nfl-officials-are.html

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this may explain why the cubs , well are the cubs .

It's called "stereotype threat," which is defined by Barnard College professor Steven Stroessner as "when performance is harmed by an awareness of an expectation of poor performance." Stroessner explains that when a group is widely expected to fare poorly at a task, the pressure of that negative perception takes up crucial brain space needed for a job well done. And then the members of that group – in this case the replacement refs – screw up.

"We know when there's an expectation of poor performance, and that can have a few predictable consequences," Stroessner says. "It does reduce working memory capacity. There are fewer cognitive resources. When you're in a high-stakes situation, dealing with a lot of information, you've also got additional worries about the situation: 'I hope I don't blow this. Everyone's expecting me to get this wrong.' "

The antidote to this? Stroessner has a simple answer: "Lots of practice."

[pdga#7648]

ding ding ding ding ding, we have a winner, with 5 games to spare. Cubs just lost their 98th game on the year! 

[CEValkyrie]

Congrats Doug. I'll get your money to you. Send me your address via PM.