Cubs Fans...

[IrishSteelhead]

Wow. Just checked the box score. That might be the worst performance ever after 7 batters. Not even exaggerating. 2 walks, a single, and 4 homers allowed to the first 7 batters.

First ever to give up 4 HR without recording an out

 

[Irishnuke]

Wow. Math. Numbers.

If you want to ignore Yu's historically bad 5th innings this season fine by me, but Lester never had a stretch like that even at his worst.

Are you saying his 5th inning ERA is over 30? I guess I was confused by your wording.

 

[arrowryan]

Kind of intrigued with what the Cubs do with 4 picks tonight. I don't put any time into the MLB Draft so I don't know who they're looking at specifically. I did read that they've done quite a bit of scouting on high school bats and college pitching. Lets get that farm system loaded again.

 

[CHIDomer9]

Kind of intrigued with what the Cubs do with 4 picks tonight. I don't put any time into the MLB Draft so I don't know who they're looking at specifically. I did read that they've done quite a bit of scouting on high school bats and college pitching. Lets get that farm system loaded again.

I expect the Cubs to go heavy on position players in the draft this year. It has been explained in a few places, but the argument is that since they have drafted so many pitchers lately (52 of their 79 picks in 2016-17 were pitchers) and the fact that their young players are quickly running out of pre-arb years, they need to grow the next wave of controllable position players.

When Theo and Jed took over, the farm system was so bare that they had to decide where to put their emphasis. They chose (rightly, because they won the WS) to grow the bats and buy the arms, with the understanding that young arms take longer to develop than 1st round bats and that they money would be there to sign proven starting pitching (Lester, Lackey, Darvish, etc.)

This front office also likes college players more than HS players to a degree. While I like that strategy for position players (hello Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber), I dislike college (pitching) arms almost as much as I dislike college baseball in general. Aside from a few programs, college coaches will ride their best pitching really hard for 4 months x 2 or 4 years. One of the reasons that Jeff Samardzija was a good pick and panned out so well was because of the small amount of college baseball he played. When the Cubs drafted him in 2006, they got a player with the mental and physical maturity of a AA player, but due to football he didn't have the number of innings that most 4-year college pitchers have.

 

[NDdomer2]

The projections I saw had cubs taking the switching g hitting and switch pitching catcher HS prospect. Santiago I believe. And yes he pitches with both arms.

 

[NDdomer2]

Are you saying his 5th inning ERA is over 30? I guess I was confused by your wording.

Sorry just seeing your response.but yes. In just the 5th innings in the games Yu had pitched his era was over 30.

Yu Darvish fails to get out of fifth inning again - Chicago Cubs Blog- ESPN

 

[ab2cmiller]

Not with the Cubs anymore, but thought this might be of interest

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tigers pitching coach Chris Bosio used racist language towards a team employee, <a href="https://twitter.com/wxyzdetroit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WXYZDetroit</a> has learned. <a href="https://t.co/WEJth9RksB">https://t.co/WEJth9RksB</a></p>— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) <a href="https://twitter.com/BradGalli/status/1012064954902564867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[loomis41973]

Sounds like he had enough of coaching in a dumpster fire.

 

[BabyIrish]

https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/daniel-murphy-claimed-off-waivers-traded/c-291272560

Addison to the DL I’d think. Could this be the end for him here and we sign Murphy to multi years?

 

[ab2cmiller]

https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/daniel-murphy-claimed-off-waivers-traded/c-291272560

Addison to the DL I’d think. Could this be the end for him here and we sign Murphy to multi years?

It would seem to be unlikely. As much as Maddon and the front office brass seem to value defense, I can't see any situation where you dump Addison so that you can sign a guy who was already known as a barely serviceable second baseman and now dealing with a bum knee.

This is a wonderful move to help get everyone healthy again and hopefully give the offense a little jolt.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Was at the game last night, beautiful baseball weather. It was nice to see Comerica Park somewhat full for once, it's been a ghost town this season.

Cubs fans are great, and they travel well. I need to make it out to Wrigley one of these days.

 

[SoIll]

the birds are coming!!!!!!!

http://www.espn.com/mlb/standings

 

[ab2cmiller]

the birds are coming!!!!!!!

http://www.espn.com/mlb/standings

We're not worried, we've got Darvish coming back ........ and he'll be ready by Spring Training.

 

[Irishnuke]

https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/daniel-murphy-claimed-off-waivers-traded/c-291272560

Addison to the DL I’d think. Could this be the end for him here and we sign Murphy to multi years?

Murphy is 33 so I highly doubt it. Russell is still young, but is a headcase. Can't stop impregnating bitches. I'm not sure he's ever going to live up to his potential.

 

[Irishnuke]

What a miserable end to the season. Sad to watch them piss away a 5 game lead the last month. The offense has been asleep for a while now. Chili Davis needs to go. I used to think the Cubs needed better pitching but the pitching has actually been pretty good. Never would have thought the offense would cost them the division and WC game. I also never though they needed Harper, but I'm thinking differently now.

 

[arrowryan]

Theo's moves turned out to be really bad as well. I never really understood why they traded Eloy for a mediocre Quintana; Eloy is a guaranteed stud and all-star. Darvish move has been disastrous and Tyler Chatwood is terrible.

 

[BobbyMac]

Wow. Cubbies totally fecked up my October. I'm a Sox fan but I love sitting at the bar with all my Cub fan friends and watching playoff games that matter to someone... especially Mrs Crusader who's from a crazy Cubs family. She took the W flag off the pole and folded it up last night in disgust.

There's always next year.

 

[NDdomer2]

Theo's moves turned out to be really bad as well. I never really understood why they traded Eloy for a mediocre Quintana; Eloy is a guaranteed stud and all-star. Darvish move has been disastrous and Tyler Chatwood is terrible.

I don't think Q has been any part of their issues though, and I'm not sure Eloy is helping the team this year.

While I agree Darvish and Chatwood signings we're bad, they did still end reg season tied for best record in NL.

The bats were just dead silent at the end. I don't know if that is Chilli Davis, guys not listening to Chilli, or something else. They would have rough streaks under John Malle too.

 

[Wild Bill]

Theo's moves turned out to be really bad as well. I never really understood why they traded Eloy for a mediocre Quintana; Eloy is a guaranteed stud and all-star. Darvish move has been disastrous and Tyler Chatwood is terrible.

Quintana's contract had a lot to do with it. And like domer said, eloy isn't helping them this year or maybe even next year. Cubs were in position to win when the trade was made and needed an arm

 

[Irish YJ]

What a piss the Cubs took the past month. I've fallen far away from baseball the last decade, but was starting to come back with the Cubs doing well the last few years. Was really looking forward to the playoffs. This makes me want to go away again.

Thank god the Irish are kickin ass.

 

[Rogue219]

16-12 in September, 40-30 the second half of the season. They were 26-25 in one run games.

The Brewers went 19-7 in September. 41-24 in the second half. 33-19 in one run games.

The Brewers probably surged more than the Cubs choked away anything, right?

 

[Prof K]

Without a healthy closer, holes in the starting rotation, and Bryant not fully healthy, the Cubs were destined for an early playoff departure, but those two games were crushing. But their nucleus is young, and a Cubs fan for most of my 58 years, next year is always hopeful.

 

[loomis41973]

Disgusting ending. Was so pissed I went out at 2am and took the W flag down.

 

[Irish2155]

What a miserable end to the season. Sad to watch them piss away a 5 game lead the last month. The offense has been asleep for a while now. Chili Davis needs to go. I used to think the Cubs needed better pitching but the pitching has actually been pretty good. Never would have thought the offense would cost them the division and WC game. I also never though they needed Harper, but I'm thinking differently now.

I don't think Q has been any part of their issues though, and I'm not sure Eloy is helping the team this year.

While I agree Darvish and Chatwood signings we're bad, they did still end reg season tied for best record in NL.

The bats were just dead silent at the end. I don't know if that is Chilli Davis, guys not listening to Chilli, or something else. They would have rough streaks under John Malle too.

I feel your pain - Chili Davis is a horrible hitting coach.

 

[ACamp1900]

Chili is one of my fav Angels ever... lol

 

[Irishnuke]

16-12 in September, 40-30 the second half of the season. They were 26-25 in one run games.

The Brewers went 19-7 in September. 41-24 in the second half. 33-19 in one run games.

The Brewers probably surged more than the Cubs choked away anything, right?

Eh, yes and no. No doubt the Brewers were on fire to end the season. The Cubs lost a lot of very winnable games though. They also went 2-4 against the Brewers. The offense took the month off. So maybe piss away the division is a bit of an exaggeration, but they definitely should not have lost it. Losing Morrow and Strop was also a big kick in the nuts.

 

[Irish YJ]

16-12 in September, 40-30 the second half of the season. They were 26-25 in one run games.

The Brewers went 19-7 in September. 41-24 in the second half. 33-19 in one run games.

The Brewers probably surged more than the Cubs choked away anything, right?

Losing two must win games at home is a choke IMO.
The O went from 5th in runs pre All-Star, to 19th post All-Star. That's a big dump.
Pitching from 4th to 7th, so not really the issue.

 

[Rogue219]

Losing two must win games at home is a choke IMO.
The O went from 5th in runs pre All-Star, to 19th post All-Star. That's a big dump.
Pitching from 4th to 7th, so not really the issue.

It's almost 2019, so I'm not going to dive into a discussion about sample size. You say they choked, so be it. To win 95 games and have an offensive sputter the way they did, it all goes to show how weird baseball truly is. The lovable losers are now insufferable winners. The franchise has come a long way, and the smart Jewish boy from Yale running the team is a huge reason for that.

Their offense did go stagnant, as evidenced by the amount of times they scored 0 or 1 run this season. I believe it was 40 games. You simply can't do that and not with a team this talented. I don't know what the issue was, but after they lost to Colorado the other night, some of the veteran presence in that locker room talked about how they've lost their hunger a bit and how there is a sense of entitlement among the team. That's not good. It's a younger group than 2016 because they are now without Ross, Arrieta, Fowler, etc. I think they miss Fowler a lot. He was a GREAT signing and was a big reason why they won it all.

Maddon has lost something tactically. I was a big fan up until this year. It feels like there is an excuse for everything now, rather than a reason like there was a couple of years ago. Too much enabling, too. There is players coach and then there's a shortage of accountability. If they have lost their edge and have gotten too arrogant, maybe reel it in a bit or make some changes. Somebody was scrolling on an iPad in the dugout the other night against the Rockies? That person should be gone.

Epstein's press conference yesterday is everything you'd expect from him. Candid, engaging, transparent. Maddon, Hickey and Davis will be back. Some players are going to be moved. They will be players on big name free agents as well. I think a lot of people who are saying Epstein should be on the "hot seat" probably starting being Cub fans five years ago or are just plain stupid. They should stay off the Internet and try not to reproduce for society's benefit. I don't know that there is anyone I'd want running my team outside of Billy Beane.

Ultimately, Espstein will have a full month extra now to start his winter. That should worry Cub haters and the NL alike.

 

[Rogue219]

Without a healthy closer, holes in the starting rotation, and Bryant not fully healthy, the Cubs were destined for an early playoff departure, but those two games were crushing. But their nucleus is young, and a Cubs fan for most of my 58 years, next year is always hopeful.

Bryant is not the same guy. He's hurt. Why they thought him being hurt is better than whatever other option they have is beyond me. They need to get him healed this winter.

Their rotation was very good once they got Hamels. That Justin Wilson guy is a bum. The Tigers fleeced them on that one. Otherwise, their pen was pretty solid when healthy. Cishek was a great signing.

I think they need a couple of true OBP guys at the top of the lineup who can also make contact if needed. They're hard to find, but I think Theo can do it.

 

[Irish YJ]

It's almost 2019, so I'm not going to dive into a discussion about sample size. You say they choked, so be it. To win 95 games and have an offensive sputter the way they did, it all goes to show how weird baseball truly is. The lovable losers are now insufferable winners. The franchise has come a long way, and the smart Jewish boy from Yale running the team is a huge reason for that.

Their offense did go stagnant, as evidenced by the amount of times they scored 0 or 1 run this season. I believe it was 40 games. You simply can't do that and not with a team this talented. I don't know what the issue was, but after they lost to Colorado the other night, some of the veteran presence in that locker room talked about how they've lost their hunger a bit and how there is a sense of entitlement among the team. That's not good. It's a younger group than 2016 because they are now without Ross, Arrieta, Fowler, etc. I think they miss Fowler a lot. He was a GREAT signing and was a big reason why they won it all.

Maddon has lost something tactically. I was a big fan up until this year. It feels like there is an excuse for everything now, rather than a reason like there was a couple of years ago. Too much enabling, too. There is players coach and then there's a shortage of accountability. If they have lost their edge and have gotten too arrogant, maybe reel it in a bit or make some changes. Somebody was scrolling on an iPad in the dugout the other night against the Rockies? That person should be gone.

Epstein's press conference yesterday is everything you'd expect from him. Candid, engaging, transparent. Maddon, Hickey and Davis will be back. Some players are going to be moved. They will be players on big name free agents as well. I think a lot of people who are saying Epstein should be on the "hot seat" probably starting being Cub fans five years ago or are just plain stupid. They should stay off the Internet and try not to reproduce for society's benefit. I don't know that there is anyone I'd want running my team outside of Billy Beane.

Ultimately, Espstein will have a full month extra now to start his winter. That should worry Cub haters and the NL alike.

They did lose their edge. Not sure exactly why, but something needs to change. Not asking for mass head to roll, or mass turnover, but something went really wrong the last half.

I don't think being pissed at a team who lost two home games in must win situations, means fans are insufferable losers. The team shit the bed at the most crucial time. Just because we were lovable losers for so long, doesn't mean we embrace collapse.