Javier Baez steals home again as Cubs rally for sixth straight comeback win
The bats have come alive (Chili Davis appears to be an upgrade). Lester is pitching like an ace. Bullpen has been better of late.
If the pitching staff gets healthy and settles down, I like their chances. Milwaukee is playing well but they have to prove that they can go the distance.
Hoping that Hendricks returns to a better form, and that Darvish doesn’t turn out to be a bust.
My frendts, what do you think?
Fire Ryan Poles | Fire Matt Eberflus 
July 5, 2018 at 9:52 pm
It’s hard to say with this team. They’re inconsistent. I’d expect them to turn it up a notch in September. I’m not worried about Milwaukee; they’ve always fallen back during the latter months. Alot of Milwaukee depends on how well their starters hold up and whether Freddy Peralta is legit or a gimmicky pitcher who’ll get hammered down the line.
Can Clayton Kershaw re-gain form? What about the entire Nationals club? Are the Braves and Phillies for real? Can’t forget about them Diamondbacks.
HFA throughout NL playoffs would really help them. I feel a lot of our hitters have matured and are better than previous seasons (e.g. Baez, Almora, even Heyward). If Rizzo and Bryant can pick up the pace after slow first halves, I do like our chances in the pennant. But like I said, they’ve been inconsistent.
July 7, 2018 at 9:50 am
…if they can’t beat the Reds, they’re toast. WTF?
July 9, 2018 at 3:52 pm
The whole National League-all three divisions-is actually competitive going into the All-Star break. Will it continue into the second half? Not likely, but if it does, the Cubs are gonna be in the fight of their lives this year.
Good Lord, the Cubs starters need to step it up.
July 10, 2018 at 9:11 am
Hendricks was brilliant last night, could have had a complete game if we got another run across, but the bats went to sleep. The Cubs are only slightly off pace of the 2016 season at this point, I think they have 1-2 more losses than that year at this time. Starters need to get healthy and solid, bullpen is good but it could tighten up some. Wouldn’t mind another good lefty reliever before the trade deadline. I don’t see Machado coming here even if his friend Almora tries to push the issue.
July 11, 2018 at 7:35 pm
Cubs need another starting pitcher…bad! And, they have got to figure out how to win these extra inning games. Lost to the Giants in extras again 5-4 today. If they can get Darvish back in some form, and he can regain his status, they have a chance. But, they are such an inconsistent bunch that I just don’t know. I think September 9th will tell the tale. That will be the end of one of their longest road trips of the season. If they come out of that 6-4 or, better yet, 7-3, then I think they will make the playoffs if not win the Division.
July 18, 2018 at 8:31 pm
My wishes for the Cubs for the rest of the season:
1) Starters, set-up men, closers: I don’t care about 100 mph fastballs and 20 strikeout games. 27 outs is 27 outs. I don’t care if it’s 20 grounders, 6 pop flies, and a lone called third strike: just get the friggin’ twenty seven outs.
2) I think the Cubs had a half-dozen batters with 20 plus homers last year. Chicks dig the ground ball, but not if you strike out with the bases loaded. More safely hits with runners in scoring position; stop leaving a village of baserunners on base, guys.
3) Three up and three down. RBI singles. That is all.
Fro Dog, if you’re out there: I know you’re a wrestling fan. I’ve been playing this video for the last few days, checking out this stable, and I thought I’d share it with y’all:
July 19, 2018 at 4:04 pm
Meanwhile, at SI.com:
In recent years, those numbers have shifted a bit in the NFL. Along with the Lions, a total of eight NFL clubs have women holding a primary ownership stake: Kim Pegula, Bills; Virginia Halas McCaskey, Bears; Dee Haslam, Browns; Gayle Benson, Saints; Denise DeBartolo York, 49ers; Amy Adams Strunk, Titans; and Carol Davis, Raiders. There are also several women who are part of ownership families who are actively involved in league business—among them are Katie Blackburn, EVP of the Bengals and daughter of Mike Brown; Charlotte Jones Anderson, Cowboys EVP and chief brand officer and daughter of Jerry; and Colts vice chair/owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, daughter of Jim.
Bills: 1st playoff berth in 15 yrs.
Bears: Yeah…no.
Browns: 1 playoff berth in 20 seasons since their “reboot.” 1-31 last two years.
Saints: 1 SB win, but almost nothing since then.
49ers: Just recovering from their train wreck after running Harbaugh out of town.
Titans: perennial “meh.”
Raiders: One playoff berth in the last 10 yrs.
But go ahead, SI…tell me how women in positions go authority in the NFL will make it a better game. I’ll wait.
July 19, 2018 at 8:29 pm
DVX, your post is correct. Women in positions of authority in sports is a trainwreck, see the Lakers with Jennie Buss.
The Cubs have Morrow back on the DL. And Darvish is still hurt. Those two signings may be some of the worst in Cubs history if they can’t come back.
July 20, 2018 at 4:46 pm
…aaand the Cubs open the second half of the season by throwing batting practice for the St Louis motherfucking Cardinals.
July 20, 2018 at 9:55 pm
….to be clear, they beat the motherfucking Cardinals last night (Thu) 9-6, the “real” opening of the second half of the season.
July 21, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Cubs had a 3-1 lead going into the 7th and the “best bullpen in baseball” blew it, 6-3 Cardinals. Cubs have major pitching problems!. If they can’t get that fixed they’ll be watching the playoffs not playing in the playoffs.
July 22, 2018 at 9:51 am
genre buster, thanks for the correction.
Ernie, concur: Cubs have MAJOR pitching problems. 32 runs allowed in this series so far.
July 22, 2018 at 9:35 pm
3-2 series. 4-1 would have been better.
IF Morrow and Darvish don’t come back, things may get dicey. I’m worried that the Darvish signing might be a major bust. Hopefully Theo knew what he was getting into….
Tip of the hat to Pie In The Sky re: the Brewers. They aren’t looking nearly as tough recently….
What would Yeti say?
July 27, 2018 at 7:36 am
Here comes Cole Hamels to bolster the rotation. He’s sucked this year but a change of scenery can be helpful. Cubs basically gave up bupkus for him and only have to pay $4M of his 2018 salary. Lets see how he does.
July 28, 2018 at 5:02 pm
Cubs pitching has completely unraveled. Quintana gives up 6 runs in the first inning to the Cardinals. I don’t see how this team can turn it around with such lousy pitching. Still no Darvish, and no Morrow. Hendricks, Quintana, and Montgomery not getting the job done. All they have is Lester, and maybe Hamels. I just don’t see a playoff run for this team this year. Am I wrong?
August 1, 2018 at 11:49 pm
Ernie, I hope you are wrong. But I wouldn’t bet on it. Hamels did look good in his Cubs debut, and Hendricks has looked better his last start or two.
We shall see……