It's hard to be disappointed to see the Cubs split a home series against a team battling for a division title, but the Cubs have spoiled their fans of late. Here are some breakdowns that explain why:
The Cubs came into the Phillies series having won their last nine series, for the first time since 1907.
They're 24-1 since the All-Star break when scoring four or more runs.
Two losses made for their longest losing streak in five weeks.
They have a ten-game cushion over the Phillies for a playoff spot.
And the biggest divisional lead in the NL.
And, still, the most wins in baseball.
It might almost be a relief for the Cubs to head back on the road after the three-game set against the Astros that begins Monday. They went 8-1 on the road in a home-heavy August schedule to push their road record above .500, one of only four NL teams that can make that claim. With any luck, the Mets can push that number to five this week as they head into Milwaukee.
With 25 games to go, there are two last pertinent numbers. Magic numbers. For defending their Central Division title, 22, and for becoming the first Chicago baseball team to play in consecutive postseasons since 1908, 16.
It's not going to be a cakewalk, next weekend's series in Cincinnati could be their last against a sub-.500 team and they still have a dozen games remaining against the Brewers and Cardinals, but I'm starting to taste it.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Travelin' man
While the Cubs were about to complete the sweep of today's day-night doubleheader against the Braves, I noticed ex-Cub pitcher Julian Tavarez is on his third team of the year.
Like a one-man Cliff's Notes of Braves history, Tavarez has gone from Boston to Milwaukee to Atlanta in 2008.
I can't name another player who pulled off that trifecta, in order, in one season - or Philly to K.C. to Oakland, Milwaukee to St. Louis to Baltimore, or any other three-city franchises for that matter. If you can name one, drop me a line at westsidecharlie (at) gmail.com.
Like a one-man Cliff's Notes of Braves history, Tavarez has gone from Boston to Milwaukee to Atlanta in 2008.
I can't name another player who pulled off that trifecta, in order, in one season - or Philly to K.C. to Oakland, Milwaukee to St. Louis to Baltimore, or any other three-city franchises for that matter. If you can name one, drop me a line at westsidecharlie (at) gmail.com.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Cubs holding solid in Central race
The Cubs took two out of three against the Cardinals this weekend, finishing off a 6-3 homestand and pushing St. Louis seven games back in the NL Central.
That seven-game differential is comforting, because I'm still worried about the Brewers. Milwaukee picked up a game this weekend while hosting the NL-worst Washington Nationals, shrinking the Cubs' lead to four games and extending their winning streak to five. Four games is also the Brewers' advantage in home/road scheduling the rest of the way.
With the league's top three teams all playing in the Central, though, the Cubs' lead over the Brewers is less important than their lead over the Cardinals, running second in the Wild Card race. It would take two teams in the Central getting hot, or one from the Central and two from the East, to push the Cubs out of playoff contention. At least, barring a total collapse by the North Siders.
If I was the Cubs' GM, with about three weeks to go before the trade deadline I don't see many moves that need to be made. Among position players, I'd only bounce Daryle Ward in favor of Micah Hoffpauir (who hit four home runs for Iowa the other day). With the additions of Chad Gaudin and Jeff Samardzija, the only pitcher I'd move would be Bobby Howry. While he's fallen completely off the radar, my first choice would actually be to bring Rich Hill back for a couple of middle-relief appearances to see what he's got before finalizing the roster on September 1.
Regardless, after 118 games if the only moves I'd make would be at pinch-hitter and relief-inning-eater, we're dealing with a good ballclub. All the Cubs need to do is to play consistently and stay healthy, and... well, we'll talk about that later.
That seven-game differential is comforting, because I'm still worried about the Brewers. Milwaukee picked up a game this weekend while hosting the NL-worst Washington Nationals, shrinking the Cubs' lead to four games and extending their winning streak to five. Four games is also the Brewers' advantage in home/road scheduling the rest of the way.
With the league's top three teams all playing in the Central, though, the Cubs' lead over the Brewers is less important than their lead over the Cardinals, running second in the Wild Card race. It would take two teams in the Central getting hot, or one from the Central and two from the East, to push the Cubs out of playoff contention. At least, barring a total collapse by the North Siders.
If I was the Cubs' GM, with about three weeks to go before the trade deadline I don't see many moves that need to be made. Among position players, I'd only bounce Daryle Ward in favor of Micah Hoffpauir (who hit four home runs for Iowa the other day). With the additions of Chad Gaudin and Jeff Samardzija, the only pitcher I'd move would be Bobby Howry. While he's fallen completely off the radar, my first choice would actually be to bring Rich Hill back for a couple of middle-relief appearances to see what he's got before finalizing the roster on September 1.
Regardless, after 118 games if the only moves I'd make would be at pinch-hitter and relief-inning-eater, we're dealing with a good ballclub. All the Cubs need to do is to play consistently and stay healthy, and... well, we'll talk about that later.
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