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Jason Hammel has been really struggling of late, and appeared to be imploding yesterday. This could be a serious blow if he cannot get right. There is no depth in the Cubs rotation or staff where they could effectively replace him and expect good results.
Although the offense showed they can fight back, they are still leaving too many men on base by shallow pop flies and double plays. But still put up some runs this series. Here's to hoping for a sweep vs the Braves!
Jason Hammel has been really struggling of late, and appeared to be imploding yesterday. This could be a serious blow if he cannot get right. There is no depth in the Cubs rotation or staff where they could effectively replace him and expect good results.
And yet, you're somehow 7 1/2 back from the Cards, which is incredible in and of itself. You've got a better record now than some of the other divisions' leaders.
And yet, you're somehow 7 1/2 back from the Cards, which is incredible in and of itself. You've got a better record now than some of the other divisions' leaders.
They're ahead of every other division leader except the Royals.
It's borderline infuriating to not merely be contending for the first time in nearly a decade, but to be 19 games over .500 -- and still only be 3rd in the division.
Damn, that sweep by the lowly Phillies must have lit a fire under these guys. The only series they've dropped since was the 2-game set with the Tigers.
Since that awful Phillies series, they took 2 of 3 from the Rockies, swept a 4-gamer on the road against the Brewers, split 2 with the Pirates with the third to be made up later, put themselves where they are today with an incredible 4-game sweep of the Giants, swept the Brewers again in a 3-game series at home, took 2 of 3 from the White Sux in hostile territory, dropped 2 to Detroit (I suppose they're permitted a stumble now and then), and just completed a 4-game sweep of the Braves.
Some of these may be patsy teams, but a 4-game sweep of anyone is a heck of a feat, especially on the road, and then to sweep one of 'em again the next week... wow. If they can at least go .500 against the Giants and Dodgers on this week's West Coast swing, they can probably play .500 ball for the rest of the season and keep their playoff spot.
I don't know if I would say "patsy" teams, but being in this position the Cubs had to play well against sub-.500 teams and usually have, especially since the stretch vs Philadelphia. My first game at Wrigley since 2011 was the Cole Hamels no-hitter.
I was not as upset about the back-to-back losses to Detroit as I was about their looking totally hapless against the Phillies, although one might think Lester pitching so long in the AL might have made him look better than clueless vs the Tigers.
It is something to see the NL Central keep rolling along. It does make for a great race, but also is going to prove a shame that two of these three teams, should they all make the "playoffs," will be forced to go home after the conclusion of a 1 game "play in" wild card game.
Quote:
Originally Posted by schmave
I don't know if I would say "patsy" teams, but being in this position the Cubs had to play well against sub-.500 teams and usually have, especially since the stretch vs Philadelphia. My first game at Wrigley since 2011 was the Cole Hamels no-hitter.
I was not as upset about the back-to-back losses to Detroit as I was about their looking totally hapless against the Phillies, although one might think Lester pitching so long in the AL might have made him look better than clueless vs the Tigers.
I was very bummed over the Phillies series, but winning 15 out of 16, and now this sweep of Atlanta to get to 20 over .500 makes up for it. Sure, it would be nice to have a couple of those back, but they won a few they probably shouldn't have since, and I think it has tended to balance out.
Lester has been historically bad against the Tigers in his career. 11 starts, 2-6 career record with a 6.05 ERA, 1.803 WHIP. He has just been owned by the Tigers right along. It's too bad in a 2 game set that his turn had to come up.
The Giants could sure use a revenge sweep at AT&T. SF will have an advantage in the first two contests since they are night games and the Cubs have to stay up past their bedtime to play.
The Giants could sure use a revenge sweep at AT&T. SF will have an advantage in the first two contests since they are night games and the Cubs have to stay up past their bedtime to play.
I was thinking another sweep in favor of the Cubs would be fun!
Giants could use a sweep to stay in the WC race in case they cannot chase down the Dodgers.
Go Cubs!
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