Chicago Cubs baseball!!!

HesCalledDyer

2nd half.  72 games.  What's the target for wins here?  43-29? If we can pull that off, I think 90 wins the division.  We had, idk, a lot of blown saves in the first half. We have a closer now. Darvish is pitching much better, would really like to see him pull off a great stretch.  I don't think 43 is unreasonable to wish for, but can they execute it?  Last year was the only year under Maddon (and the first since Sveum) where the Cubs were better in the 1st half than the 2nd.  2 years ago we were under .500 at the break and won the division.  These guys can do it, will they?

bbiggs

HesCalledDyer said:

2nd half.  72 games.  What's the target for wins here?  43-29? If we can pull that off, I think 90 wins the division.  We had, idk, a lot of blown saves in the first half. We have a closer now. Darvish is pitching much better, would really like to see him pull off a great stretch.  I don't think 43 is unreasonable to wish for, but can they execute it?  Last year was the only year under Maddon (and the first since Sveum) where the Cubs were better in the 1st half than the 2nd.  2 years ago we were under .500 at the break and won the division.  These guys can do it, will they?

They’re slightly better than a .500 team. At best, sneak into the playoffs based on luck of being on a weak division. Then get their clocks cleaned in the first round of playoffs. That’s my prediction. 

HesCalledDyer

Need to find a decent 2B and find somewhere for Russell to go.  Most fans never wanted him back in the first place. White elephant aside, he went from being Cal Ripken Jr in 2016 to being Rey Sanchez ever since.  And hell, even Sanchez could average ~.275 consistently.

bbiggs

Where in the world is Zobrist, btw?  No word on that situation whatsoever. 

darwinstheory

HesCalledDyer said:

2nd half.  72 games.  What's the target for wins here?  43-29? If we can pull that off, I think 90 wins the division.  We had, idk, a lot of blown saves in the first half. We have a closer now. Darvish is pitching much better, would really like to see him pull off a great stretch.  I don't think 43 is unreasonable to wish for, but can they execute it?  Last year was the only year under Maddon (and the first since Sveum) where the Cubs were better in the 1st half than the 2nd.  2 years ago we were under .500 at the break and won the division.  These guys can do it, will they?

This sure sounds like a roundabout way of saying: this team has the talent on thos team for it to not all come back together.

bbiggs

Strop tried to blow another one with a 3 run HR in the 8th. My god he sucks. 

HesCalledDyer

darwinstheory said:

HesCalledDyer said:

2nd half.  72 games.  What's the target for wins here?  43-29? If we can pull that off, I think 90 wins the division.  We had, idk, a lot of blown saves in the first half. We have a closer now. Darvish is pitching much better, would really like to see him pull off a great stretch.  I don't think 43 is unreasonable to wish for, but can they execute it?  Last year was the only year under Maddon (and the first since Sveum) where the Cubs were better in the 1st half than the 2nd.  2 years ago we were under .500 at the break and won the division.  These guys can do it, will they?

This sure sounds like a roundabout way of saying: this team has the talent on thos team for it to not all come back together.

Zzzzzzzactly!

HesCalledDyer

bbiggs said:

Strop tried to blow another one with a 3 run HR in the 8th. My god he sucks. 

Wonder what his deal is this year?  I mean, before this season, he'd limit his blowups to about 1 per 5-6 appearances, with 1 more nail biter mixed in.  This year it's every time he takes the mound.

HesCalledDyer

Need to get this win today so we can be .500 after the break on Thursday.

darwinstheory

^that was kind of funny

Went to the game today. So far, after the break, they are exceeding their potential as a whole. Good start to the 2nd half.

HesCalledDyer

Well, Monty is gone.  Picked a great night to get his first career save, ending the longest championship drought in North American professional sports history.  Thanks Mike!  #38 forever a Cubs legend!

bbiggs

HesCalledDyer said:

Well, Monty is gone.  Picked a great night to get his first career save, ending the longest championship drought in North American professional sports history.  Thanks Mike!  #38 forever a Cubs legend!

Yep.  Will always be remembered for that special moment.  That aside, the Reds OWN the Cubs and it is pretty embarrassing.

HesCalledDyer

Yep, like I said .500 after the break come Thursday.

darwinstheory

Poor Hendricks...pitches a great game and the Cubs offense gave him a lead. Then...the bullpen...what a joke!

darwinstheory

And today, Cishek walks away with a 'W'. 

HesCalledDyer

FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINALLY beat the Reds.  World Series or bust, now.  NL take notice cuz here come the Cubs!

darwinstheory

Yu --- looking like a BOSS today! 

bflynn1

I thought we were going to be .500 by Thursday?

HesCalledDyer

bflynn1 said:

I thought we were going to be .500 by Thursday?

I challenged them to prove me wrong and they did!  38-28 to go!

HesCalledDyer

darwinstheory said:

Yu --- looking like a BOSS today! 

The emotion in the 6th after sitting Puig down!  That's what I want to see from this guy!  Yesterday was the first game since April he's thrown 40% or more fastballs, relying on the pitch 55.5% of the time.  He's getting his confidence back and with that, we can see what he's capable of doing.  He hit around 98mph on 6 different pitches to Puig across 2 at-bats.  Good stuff!