Dangerous Times Lie Ahead
As bad as the Cubs have been this year, which is really bad, the rest of the National League has been mediocre to poor. As a result, the Cubs are "only" about 12 games back in the wild card race. Now, in the past, we've seen teams make up near that number of games in far less time than is left. In 2004, the Astros made up a 7 game deficit on the wild card leader in August, to themselves capture the wild card. Of course, it helped out that the wild card leader they made up that kind of ground on was our own dysfunctional Cubs. Nonetheless, it is possible. I just don't think it's possible for the Cubs to do so, given how they've generally ignored fundamentals and omitted things from their game like pitch selection. Unfortunately, given the 4-1 record in the 5 games right before the All Star Break, this is a dangerous time for the Cubs. You just know that Jim Hendry is looking at that, and at the mediocre records of most of the other NL teams, and is thinking that they can get back in the wild-card race. The danger, of course, is that come July 31, they will either do nothing, or make a stupid trade for a veteran so they can get back in it.
All I can say is that Jim, if you're reading this (which I doubt), before you consider standing pat or adding a player or players for the "stretch run", set some standards that the players have to play up to first. I figure the Cubs have about 15 games or so before July 31. If they don't go at least 13-2 and gain at least 4 games on the WC leader (currently the Dodgers?), there is absolutely no point in them doing anything but selling pieces to the highest bidder.
Also, are any of us fans really surprised
that Hendry said that Baker's job was never in doubt? I know I'm not surprised. For whatever reason, Jim seems to have a real attachment to Dusty. I don't get it, since Dusty has proven he was, and is, the wrong manager for the Cubs, but since Jim is the wrong GM for the Cubs, maybe they figure 2 wrongs make a right. Also, Big Z is apparently OK after the ASG mishap with the fungo bat. Prior is supposed to throw Thursday to see if he's OK. Imagine if he'd have gotten hit by the fungo bat? He probably wouldn't be able to pitch again until 2008.
As bad as the Cubs have been this year, which is really bad, the rest of the National League has been mediocre to poor. As a result, the Cubs are "only" about 12 games back in the wild card race. Now, in the past, we've seen teams make up near that number of games in far less time than is left. In 2004, the Astros made up a 7 game deficit on the wild card leader in August, to themselves capture the wild card. Of course, it helped out that the wild card leader they made up that kind of ground on was our own dysfunctional Cubs. Nonetheless, it is possible. I just don't think it's possible for the Cubs to do so, given how they've generally ignored fundamentals and omitted things from their game like pitch selection. Unfortunately, given the 4-1 record in the 5 games right before the All Star Break, this is a dangerous time for the Cubs. You just know that Jim Hendry is looking at that, and at the mediocre records of most of the other NL teams, and is thinking that they can get back in the wild-card race. The danger, of course, is that come July 31, they will either do nothing, or make a stupid trade for a veteran so they can get back in it.
All I can say is that Jim, if you're reading this (which I doubt), before you consider standing pat or adding a player or players for the "stretch run", set some standards that the players have to play up to first. I figure the Cubs have about 15 games or so before July 31. If they don't go at least 13-2 and gain at least 4 games on the WC leader (currently the Dodgers?), there is absolutely no point in them doing anything but selling pieces to the highest bidder.
Also, are any of us fans really surprised
that Hendry said that Baker's job was never in doubt? I know I'm not surprised. For whatever reason, Jim seems to have a real attachment to Dusty. I don't get it, since Dusty has proven he was, and is, the wrong manager for the Cubs, but since Jim is the wrong GM for the Cubs, maybe they figure 2 wrongs make a right. Also, Big Z is apparently OK after the ASG mishap with the fungo bat. Prior is supposed to throw Thursday to see if he's OK. Imagine if he'd have gotten hit by the fungo bat? He probably wouldn't be able to pitch again until 2008.
posted by buck at 7:46 PM
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3 Comments:
Leo,
My blog is only a few months old - I hven't figured that out yet either. Although you're the first comment I've had on my site.
Leo,
My blog is only a few months old - I hven't figured that out yet either. Although you're the first comment I've had on my site.
I'm impressed with your site, very nice graphics!
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