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OK, time for an OPEN Cubs thread (since the Bears suck….).
Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Matt Eberflus 
September 26, 2016 at 11:48 pm
100 wins…what’s next?
September 27, 2016 at 2:15 am
So, I watched the game tonight-100 wins is a big deal and didn’t want to miss something that hadn’t happened in 85 years. Made me happy and proud.
This is the best team in baseball and in theory should win the World Series. However, I’ll never believe it until it happens. A lot of strong character on this team-thus far meeting their super high expectations.
Still, I worry about tired arms again and another imploding bullpen-things that have doomed every Cubs team that has reached the NLCS. I hope Hammel is left off the playoff roster.
Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll watch the playoff games until they reach a clinching game in NLCS. Cardinals don’t appear very good, but still would rather not play them in playoffs.
This MUST be the year, guys. Can’t take not winning with such a dominant team. They have to do this. I don’t believe they will, but they have to. I’m excited and scared.
September 27, 2016 at 3:02 pm
Here’s my take:
1) 100 wins is a huge achievement, not done by a Cubs team since 1935.
2) They have already proven to themselves that they can win playoff series. They proved last year that they are good enough to get to the NLCS.
3) But, they have been in the NLCS four times since 1984, and have lost all four times. The NLCS is the hurdle they must clear this time around. If they can’t do it this year, then I don’t see them ever doing it with this team as presently constructed. It will be in their heads from now on.
4) I am not buying the “we were tired” excuse. Everyone is tired this time of the season. Durocher used to say it was because of all the day games. Well, there are now lights in Wrigley, so that excuse won’t wash. Champions win regardless of physical exhaustion.
5) The key, as I see it, is how mentally tough this team is. How confident are they in their ability to get the job done when it looks like they’ve lost, or when they are up one or two runs in the eighth and someone commits an error that could have ended the inning, or someone gives up a home run that ties the game.
I want to see how this team handles adversity after 108 years of futility screaming in their faces.
If they can handle that, and win the Pennant, then I think the World Series will be theirs for the taking.
September 27, 2016 at 10:20 pm
I agree (Nemo and Ernie)….and wouldn’t a Cubs-Red Sox WS be great?
September 28, 2016 at 10:37 pm
I don’t see this team panicking falling down 3-0 in the first inning of the first game-over even the sense of dread among the fans like in the Dodger series. However, if they fall down 2 games to 0 in NLDS or 3-1 in NLCS, I do see the dread returning among the fans and the players will pick up the dread if they don’t win this year. It really has to be now.
Cubs – Red Sox would be a classic matchup although I think they will be toughest team to beat. Maybe better off playing a team with its own ghosts-Cleveland. Of course, Washington, the Mets, and Dodgers will have something to say if we get to do that.
I cannot believe they let Arrieta throw 100 pitches tonight. WTF?
When Cubs went up 3-1 on the Fucklins in 2003, I went out and bought champagne. Just threw it out a few years later. This time, won’t be buying any until I see them on tv pouring it over their heads.
September 28, 2016 at 10:43 pm
Arrieta. I don’t trust him anymore. Does this make me a baaaaaaad person?
September 29, 2016 at 1:19 am
Makes you sensible. I don’t trust him either. I don’t trust anybody.
September 29, 2016 at 8:18 am
Arrieta isn’t more than a #3 in a playoff rotation and that’s about it. When he pitches, Cubs bats had better be ready.
September 29, 2016 at 11:00 am
I’m not placing much value on what players do or don’t do in these last games. Their heads are already looking forward to the playoffs. These games are practice games as far as they’re concerned. Arrieta is a puzzle, but his game against the Cardinals the other day was rock solid. So, he isn’t Kevin Gregg by any stretch.
If this team believes it is the best, they should have no concern whatsoever who they play. It doesn’t matter who they play, they will beat them like they beat all their opponents in the regular season.
That’s why the stupidly asinine stunt the organization played in 2007 or 2008 of having a priest bless their dugout almost drove me to toss a brick through my television screen!
Just forget the past and play ball! Because if they can’t then they will morph back into “Lovable Losers” once again.
That is my only question: Can this team get the past out of their heads and play ball the way they have shown us all year long?
September 30, 2016 at 1:05 pm
I really pin the “Bartman” incident on Dusty Baker…that play should have been a non-factor in that NLCS series – the Cubs had a lead in both the game and the series when it happened – but the toothpick chomping idiots lack of leadership (and the players lack of discipline) yielded the PATHETIC result. Maddon would have reacted far differently had he been manager at that time. Plus, Kerry Wood and Prior might have had longer and more productive careers (regardless of what they have publicly stated). Eh, water under the bridge….
Maddon and THIS team are different…I’m hoping for a positive outcome, and that would have to be a WS win at this point in history.
I agree that Arrieta was rock solid against the Cardinals. Maybe he’ll re-emerge as an “ace” during the post season, but right now he looks like a 3rd starter to me (too).
October 1, 2016 at 8:30 pm
Lester did not look good today. But, the real problem is Rondon. What on earth happened to him? He can’t seem to get anyone out. Is he still hurt? Wrong time of the year for testing a pitcher. If Rondon can’t pitch like he’s capable, then keep him off the roster!
October 2, 2016 at 8:40 pm
This baseball exec sees the same thing I do with the Cubs:
“In the postseason, the pressure on both teams to win is usually about 50-50,” one exec said. “But in this case … the pressure is on the Cubs every game, because of how well they’ve played, because of their record and, most of all, because of the expectations, especially in that city. If they lose one of the first two games at Wrigley, the pressure will be incredible.”
How will this team handle the pressure? That is what we will find out.
October 2, 2016 at 11:31 pm
A comeback win to complete the regular season.
October 3, 2016 at 2:08 am
If Cubs win Game 1 and lose G2, I don’t see a lot of panic. If they lose Game 1 that may be different. I am nervous as fuck about this, but from what I’ve seen of Maddon, he won’t let the team get like that. I think they are probably excited. Remember, in theory, we have a stud pitching every game. We’ll see.