Chicago Cubs fans - Rebuilding Year 2023

[Pacolovestacos]

STL just squeaked in their W yesterday, and hat's off to Fowler for getting the winning run in for them.

True but at the end of the day, extra points aren't awarded for blowouts. A W is a W. Would rather have a close W than an L.

 

[FINFAN]

well I was getting at the possibility of STL taking the L tonight since they almost blew it yesterday, thinking they may be in the same boat tonight. Here's hoping!

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Pitching matchup favors the Turds heavily

 

[FINFAN]

Pitching matchup favors the Turds heavily

optimism Paco....optimism. Baseball is one crazy game..anything can happen. Plus Dex one of their favorite's already... is he in tonight? Reports of his shoulder also being an issue. Just checked,Fowler (shoulder) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Marlins. (about 3 hours ago)

 

[Pacolovestacos]

optimism Paco....optimism. Baseball is one crazy game..anything can happen. Plus Dex one of their favorite's already... is he in tonight? Reports of his shoulder also being an issue. Just checked,Fowler (shoulder) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Marlins. (about 3 hours ago)

Looks like you were right.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Montero says Cubs need to wake up

Hard to disagree with anything he says.

 

[FINFAN]

Montero says Cubs need to wake up

Hard to disagree with anything he says.

Miggy's my guy , maybe he can get the fire lit..somebody's gotta fill Rossy's spot...that is the biggest change from last year to this one. Mig's took the back seat last season but ready to do anything for the team this one, and other than today, he is in the zone. Same with JHey. Miggy even trying to come up with slogans...told Joe to use Deal With It(meaning for all that is dealt to them)...and just using D.W.I. , LOL....I don't think Miggy realized that is also for Driving While Intoxicated Another player interviewed (Lester, maybe) said something along the lines of it feels like they are just a month out of Spring Training, that everything is thrown off from the short off season, I can see that.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Miggy's my guy , maybe he can get the fire lit..somebody's gotta fill Rossy's spot...that is the biggest change from last year to this one. Mig's took the back seat last season but ready to do anything for the team this one, and other than today, he is in the zone. Same with JHey. Miggy even trying to come up with slogans...told Joe to use Deal With It(meaning for all that is dealt to them)...and just using D.W.I. , LOL....I don't think Miggy realized that is also for Driving While Intoxicated Another player interviewed (Lester, maybe) said something along the lines of it feels like they are just a month out of Spring Training, that everything is thrown off from the short off season, I can see that.

I believe Maddon recently said that in an interview, yesterday or today. I don't know, not sure I buy it. Seems like a weak excuse to me.

I think Miggy's reasoning is a little more sound. This is a group of young kids who had the keys to the castle handed to them early on in their careers. They may think they're untouchable right now. This season will come down to how long it takes them to realize that they aren't untouchable.

 

[FINFAN]

Cards were down 4-3 apparently Fowler came in(guessing ph), promptly tripled putting tying it, then Wong got Fowler in.

 

[FINFAN]

I believe Maddon recently said that in an interview, yesterday or today. I don't know, not sure I buy it. Seems like a weak excuse to me.

I think Miggy's reasoning is a little more sound. This is a group of young kids who had the keys to the castle handed to them early on in their careers. They may think they're untouchable right now. This season will come down to how long it takes them to realize that they aren't untouchable.

I don't think it's weak...took me a month to recover just from WATCHING the season , play-off's and W.S., lol, going back/forth to Wrigley. But hey, DS and I can say we made it into the movie

 

[FINFAN]

O.K. So since most prefer a statistical outlook for the Cubs and not just my optimistic one, I present :

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/page/2017mlbpowerrankings_week1/ranking-mlb-teams-ahead-2017-season

While the rankings were voted on by a panel (Jim Bowden, Eric Karabell, Tim Kurkjian, Schoenfield and Jayson Stark), the projected records and division standings were determined by ESPN Insider Szymborski using his ZiPS system.

(note: I am not a huge fan of ESPN but the predictions are spot on for some and close for others)

Chicago Cubs
2017 projected record: 98-64 (first in NL Central)
World Series odds: 7-2 (Westgate) | Betting guide

1. Best case: With series against the Reds, Braves, White Sox and Brewers early in the second half, the Cubs might not feel particularly motivated to make an addition at the trade deadline. They could win 100 games again even without a full season of good health from their rotation -- within reason. Kris Bryant is only two years into his meteoric career, Jason Heyward should rebound and Kyle Schwarber will be back for a full season. What was already a very good offense should be even better. Barring the unforeseen, Chicago's real tests start in October.

2. Worst case: A low point, relatively speaking, comes early for the defending champs. ZiPS projects Chicago's April schedule to be its toughest, as the Cubs face opponents with a projected winning percentage of .506. This is where the health of the rotation could be cause for concern. Chicago's top four hurlers all rank among the top 20 in innings thrown over the past two years, including the postseason. If the Cubs have to dip too far into their rotation depth, they might have to outscore a lot of teams.

3. Swing factors: When the calendar turns to June, the Cubs' biggest question is likely to be whether they are running away with the NL Central or merely holding on to a division lead. The answer could come down to Heyward. After plummeting from a 120 wRC-plus to 72 -- good for 143rd out of 146 qualified regulars -- Heyward spent the offseason trying to retool or rediscover his swing. The Cubs will probably be pretty good again even if Heyward doesn't hit. But it wouldn't hurt if he did!


I DO agree JHey is key...we don't play the same when he isn't in the game..not just this CO series, any.

 

[FINFAN]

PER CARRIE MUSKAT~



Cub fans I give you:

Eddie Butler...pitching Friday against STL

pitching vs Cardinals: Fri Eddie Butler, Sat Jon Lester, Sun Jake Arrieta

Cubs will announce Friday who is sent down if Butler does indeed start

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Sure but Cubs were actually okay in April. They are struggling in May.

 

[FINFAN]

well it's only 1/3 thru May so far and like I said, not a huge fan of ESPN but they were on target for the most part on quite a few teams. On the other news, I was hoping for Monty over Butler, but that is because I really, REALLY want 2/3.(I lie, I want the sweep) and I am not confident Butler can face them but PLEASE let me be proven wrong on Friday!Piscotty on the DL , but apparently Dex just fine to PH.

 

[FINFAN]

Grimm optioned to Iowa to make room for Butler.


and if anyone was bummed about us losing to the Rockies ...they are currently beating the Dodgers 10-0 in the 4th inning !
One thing I'd like to bring up as so many fans everywhere keep asking "Where is last years team?" Well, one thing is defensively we have changes that are causing a ripple effect. Schwarb's and Zobie were not our OF for the most part last year. They have been making some errors (along with good plays,) which causes pitch count to go up, which leads to mistakes, which leads to guys on, and you know the rest. Is sending THE #12 down to Iowa going to make a positive change? Probably not as he would just be homering left and right there. He is trying to become more than a home run slugger, you can see it in his swing. Maybe he'd gain some positive change on the LF quality but not much more than he will get staying right where he is at. Javy, KB , Willy even Riz with some errors, sloppy ball, stuff we saw last June. They know it. As far as the at bats of the rest of the guys, I am pretty sure they are more frustrated than anyone about the decline, but they also know what they CAN do so once they get out of their heads. Hopefully resources that the Organization has helps the young guys adjust to the instant success and how they can channel back into the ball players they are. Stupid stuff like these awful Sunday night game slots are also added into changes..now that they are the WS Champs every broadcast wants them..heck even the first game of the year was changed to a Sunday night to accommodate ESPN wanting the Cub/STL rivalry ratings. All teams go thru it, the magnifying glass is just bigger on the Cubs. I hope they can get back to their Rhytym keeping it light and fun...I don't they wanted to have a season like this overshadow their W.S win and those young guys who nabbed a ring before turning 23, 24, 25? They like to win. They thought it might be easy, perhaps...now they gotta go to work.

 

[FINFAN]

Addie still out with his shoulder, Dex back in from his shoulder (shocking, lol)

We have warmer weather, and a some rest...let's do this!

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Excellent Job Butler! Anderson needs a greyhound ticket out of town.

 

[FINFAN]

Willy SAVAGE tonight! Butler did fantastic, but I gotta give it to Willy..his 2 bombs allowed Butler to relax. That error should've been on Riz.

3 hours of beautiful W! (side note: 2 spot a rough one tonight...KB with flu, Jay with back spasms, but Addie looks like he's back!)

 

[Kewz1]

Wow! I was holding my breath there!

Btw, my daughter graduates college in the morning! Whoohoo! Thanks for the win, Cubbies!!

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Definitely error on Riz but that throw by Willie was garbage.