The Cubs have won 5 in a row – on the road – since the all-star break.
The bats have come alive. Starting pitching has been better. Quintano was lights out in his debut. Arrieta, Lester and Lackey pitched well. They struggled to hold a couple of leads but prevailed. Davis was “off” last night, but is now 18 for 18 in saves. Tonite, Rondon allowed one hit and struck out the side in the 9th. Hendricks returns soon.
Thoughts?
Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Matt Eberflus 
July 19, 2017 at 12:19 am
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/07/17/theo-epstein-has-drained-the-cubs-farm-system-but-for-the-right-reasons/?utm_term=.38d3274aa8b7
When it was pointed out to Theo Epstein over the weekend that the Chicago Cubs’ farm system, for the first time in Epstein’s tenure as president of baseball operations, does not have a single prospect ranked in the top 100 by “Baseball America”, Epstein delivered the perfect comeback: “And it’s the first time we can call ourselves defending world champions.” The assembled media members chuckled, but Epstein wasn’t joking.
“That’s a lot better,” he added, “than having some top-100 prospects.”
July 19, 2017 at 2:34 pm
Back to back series sweeps capped off by an ass whoopin today. Perhaps they really are “back” as Contreras declared over the weekend. Rondon and Strop were good today for a change. And Montgomery was great, congrats to him on his first home run, a tape measure blast! Bring on the red boids Friday. As for tonight, go Pirates, beat those Brewers.
July 19, 2017 at 5:24 pm
Groovy. Fab. Far out, man.
Go Cubs Go!
July 20, 2017 at 9:16 am
I’m going to wait and see how they do against Washington and Arizona. They have to show me they can beat playoff teams, not just also-rans.
July 21, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Cubs finally play a team that is contenting for a playoff spot, and what happens? The “relief pitching” gives up NINE runs in the eighth! Edwards, Rondon, and Grimm – the Three Stooges! No way this team makes the playoffs.
July 21, 2017 at 7:51 pm
Ernie….that was an epic meltdown by that horseshit bullpen. Why the fuck are Grimm and Rondon still on this team? I hope like holy hell they end up on the same goddamned scrap heap that Kevin FUCKING Gregg landed on. And put Strop on that pile of dog shit too.
July 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Chucky, I was wondering if you forgot Stop. 🙂 Edwards I give a pass because he has been good this year. But, Grimm? Come on, Maddon use your head! Rondon is wholly inconsistent at best. And Strop? Oi Vay!
July 22, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Shitty pitching is hard to forget Ernie. Strop has a long history of shitty performances.
July 22, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Another nail biter…but a good win.
July 24, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Golden opportunity missed again. All they had to do was beat the pathetic White Sox, and they couldn’t do it. Their middle relief is just not good enough. Middle relief must be top priority this summer.
July 24, 2017 at 6:07 pm
See above.
Dammit, Cubs…really?
July 24, 2017 at 7:15 pm
I completely agree….middle relief will be the fucking downfall… they should address it NOW. Seems like it’s often at it’s worst when they play CRAP teams.
July 24, 2017 at 10:10 pm
From another poster: “1st and 2nd, nobody out, late innings, down by one. A third grader would know the correct move in that situation. I don’t care if Babe Ruth is up and he’s hit 8 home runs in a row, bunt ’em over. They won the World Series last year despite Maddon’s horrific decisions. It appears they will have to continue attempting to win in spite of him.”
Sorry, my good friend Genre, but he’s right. Maddon is way overrated as a manager.
July 24, 2017 at 10:21 pm
Hey Chuckie, I just found “Mr. Fell Ten Stories Off The Stupid Tree!”:
“In the big picture of things, I think it’s the long ball this year that makes [my ERA] look worse than it really is,” Grimm said.
Genre, you should put this up there in the “Hall of Fame” with some of Dusty’s inspired stupids.
July 24, 2017 at 10:34 pm
Well ernie, you COULD be right…but I guess it depends on who’s doing the rating.
Look…given that they WON it all last year, I believe Maddon is one of the best currently managing, when you look at ALL the variables. I base that on all the other managers who’ve never won a WS – even with talented teams – as well as all the Chicago Cubs managers from 1909 thru 2014. I remember how the Cubs responded against the Marlins in 2003…they still had plenty of opportunities to WIN it, but the toothpick chomping idiot had NO CLUE how to lead, much less manage. What the Cubs accomplished last year was much more difficult than beating the Marlins should have been.
ALL the “great ones” make mistakes, or take risks that don’t pay off. As far as the guy who made that comment, who the fuck is he, and what are his credentials? He could be a total chump!
(…to be fair, I could say that about you…or you about me. HA HA HA)
But all kidding aside, this is a young team and I believe that whatever areas Maddon may be lacking in, he possibly makes up it for with his strengths in other areas, including “psychology”.
But again, what do I know?
ernie, my friend…I do understand your frustration with Maddon and the team…I’m with you. For example, I wasn’t on board with him bringing in Davis last night…but it worked out.
I’m still hopeful that the Cubs will continue to play well – as they have since the all-star break – and win the division. Time will tell…
tick tock…tick tock 😉