timmyquest

Everyone has a role...

I wish the Card's were going to challenge the cubs this year. They won't. And so when the Cubs lose again in the 1st round the season is going to feel like a boring letdown rather than just a letdown.

rsyb

Season opens in 4 days! Who knew?

MJH2

This coming from a cub fan? What have they done since their last WS ring?

timmyquest

I'm getting at short term improvements. Since 2006 the cubs have solidified their rotation, solidified their bullpen, solidified their offense.

The Cubs are pulling away, the Cards are stagnant.

CyLowe97

Fixed that for you.

I feel a little guilty because this is just too easy.

MJH2

I'm not a fan of either the Cubs or the Cards (obviously). Having said that, given the last 100 years I'm not sure that a Cubs fan really has any basis to point out where the Cards (or ANY team, really) are a failure. This is your year, though. I can feel it!

timmyquest

This isn't about fandom. I'm not a die hard fan. If my team sucks I admit it. I call it like it is though and the Cards just seem to not care.

The Cubs are inherently choke artists. It's a fact. They also had the best record in the NL. Their pitchers had more strikeouts than any other team. They scored more runs. And they lost in the playoffs. I don't prescribe to the hocuspocus of popular fanhood. When a team does something, i take it at face value.

When the Cubs choke in the playoffs, they choke in the playoffs.

MJH2

Agreed. And, thankfully, they were kind enough to give you guys that little pep-rally prior to the playoffs last year. It's almost like the organization knew they were going to choke so they had to jump on the only opportunity to celebrate.

timmyquest

FYI

Statistically, making it to the playoffs is all you need to do to have a chance to win it all. Seeding makes no difference, statistically. So--statistically, the Cubs chances of dropping out of the first round were the same as any other team.

CyLowe97

Statistically?? Surely you jest.

By my recollection Le Cub have been in the playoffs six times in the last 25 years (84, 89, 98, 03, 07, 08 IIRC). So even given that the first two were 4 team playoffs and the last four 8 team playoffs, they should statistically have AT LEAST been to a World Series by this point.

Conversely, the Florida Marlins have been to the playoffs all of twice (97 and 03) and even with those long 1 in 8 statistical odds (not even factoring in that they had no home field advantage as a wild card) they came away with a World Series championship. The freaking Marlins. The team that averages, like, 786 fans a game.

Statistics don't mean diddly.

timmyquest

Teams like the Marlins, and in fact the ('06)Cardinals, are what even the odds, actually. When you break it down and look at it, previous seasons and seeding have no bearing on actual outcome.

This isn't how statistics work, unfortunately for us Cubs fans.
An explanation of the flaw in this logic

Technically, the '08 Cubs had the same odds of winning it all as the '06 Card's. They did nothing last year in the playoffs, but mathematically that has nothing to do with what they may or may not do this year. Past performance doesn't mean squat, unless you prescribe to the hocuspocus of fandom---goats and the like.

MJH2

From a purely objective standpoint, I agree.



I just like bringing that pep rally up because I thought it was a completely classless thing. Mostly because, on the exact same day, in the same city, there was another team playing the most meaningful single game Chicago baseball had seen since October of 2005 to put them in (according to your stats) the exact same position.

timmyquest

Subjectively, i think the Cubs will blow it in the NLCS--and that's being very optimistic.

Cycling Jester

When did this thread become a CUBS thread????

GO

timmyquest

Being a Yankee's fan outside of NY is like enjoying a bowl of Cheerios.

Cycling Jester

Cheerio's are healthly and a good source of energy in the morning.

rsyb

one for cycling jester...

CyLowe97

The great thing about the admittedly classic rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox is that outside of the Atlantic seaboard, the rest of America really doesn't care.

ESPN needs them, though, that's for sure.

timmyquest

Which is why everyone likes them. The real health nuts though suffer through the pains and sores of grapenuts...kinda like being a Cubs fan.

timmyquest

True.

I will say, though, that i'll stop and watch a NYC vs BOS game...which i guess is why ESPN needs them

CyLowe97

If you can't get pumped up for a Rangers/Mariners mid-July showdown, then I just don't know what to tell you other than you are not a true fan of the game.

aham23

there is a large mass of uneducated (sport wise) arsehats that support the cubs. these things are done for them. from bringing a goat out onto the field to blowing up the bartman ball and putting it in pasta sauce, these arsehats love that stuff. i would like to punch each one of them in the face, but i am too busy right now. later.

Cycling Jester

If it wasn't for ESPN and the east coast bias. No Yankee or Red Sox fan outside of the Norhteast would never see either team. These regional telecasts suck!!!!

Cycling Jester

Mariners/Padres does it for me

CyLowe97

OOhhhh.... Interleague.