Maybe not. Even if the Cubs win 2/3..........they only gain 1 game. We'll see what happens.
***Official 2023 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
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Maybe not. Even if the Cubs win 2/3..........they only gain 1 game. We'll see what happens.
Like I said, the last two weeks was an important stretch for the Cubs, and they went 8-4. Did exactly what they needed to do. Didn't expect Milwaukee to win their last 8 in a row, but I don't expect the Brewers to keep that streak up either. Regression to the mean is a thing, and hopefully it starts this week.
That being said, I'll be shocked if either team sweeps.
After that debacle in LA no one expected this streak. But for some reason they have started to hit the ball. Something click.........LA staff just that good........who knows. But they could not have found a better time to start. And if Burnes and Woodruff perform as they can....I like our chances in 2 of the games.
Depends, if the Cubbies can bust up your starting pitching the taxing of your bullpen can linger well past Wednesday.
The Dodgers "bust up" our starting pitchers..............and completely shut down our bats. Eight games later, here we are. The only way the pen gets taxed is if the game is tight. Then the "taxing" I'm sure will not be saved for just the Brewers.
It stinks to have played this well and not gained any ground but they could have easily been looking at 7-8 games back. They've managed to keep this close despite the Brewers run and this week will tell a whole bunch.
Wrigley is going to be ******* electric the next few days. Damn I wish I could be there
Yes it will because right after the Brewers you have the Reds for 4.....then the Giants for 3.....then the Diamondbacks for 4.
The odd thing too is at one point we kept saying the division is more attainable than the wild card and right now the Cubs are 4 games back in the division and 2 games up on the last wild card spot. These next 4 series are HUGE and they have to at least win or split them to maintain the WC lead:
3 vs Milwaukee (back 4 in the divsion)
4 @ Cincinnati (up 2 games in WC)
3 vs San Fransciso (up 2 in WC)
4 vs Arizona (half game up in WC)
3 game series against the Rockies then another 3 game series @ Arizona. Get to finish out the season with 3 game series @ Atlanta and @ Milwaukee too so basically need to keep winning series to stay in it.
I saw a statistic a short time ago on records in 1-run ballgames. Milwaukee led the majors in 1-run victories (something like 26-11). That explains two things - their wins aren't usually by large margins and, their closing pitching is one of (if not the best) in baseball. Sometimes you make your own luck because of skill. Also, we have been without Woodruff for almost the entire year. I hope to see an uptick in run differential because we added him to the rotation. We'll see what September holds - but should be a heck of a series this week. Good luck to you - but not too much ; )
If you mean you don't want a little friendly convo with Brewer fans before a big series between the two then I will graciously exit stage left and leave you with your fellow Cubs.
Respectfully, I was referring to the poster's "luck" comment. The only reason I stopped by this thread was because of the upcoming series. My post included a reference to the upcoming series & even wished you fans good luck. Sorry if I touched a nerve.
@ISUCubswin have you seen anything on Brown lately. Probably getting past the point of him being the Friday DH call up
NM Just noticed Friday is September 1st.
NM Just noticed Friday is September 1st.
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I’m bored and off work today so I looked up some run differential stats.
The 2023 Brewers (currently at +19 RD) are on pace to finish with the lowest run differential to win a division since the Rangers won the AL west back to back in 2015 (+18) and 2014 (+8). The lowest full season besides that was Cleveland last year with +64. So Brewers basically are going to be one of the “luckiest” division winners in 8 years if they hold on.
I know we have a critical 3 game series to worry about first but the starters on Friday has me worried. With Thursday off they could easily go Wick and Assad but that just pushes the issue a bit down the road. Friday is the start of 14 games in 13 days. Last thing I want to see is Smyly. Wesneski would likely only give us a so so 3 innings so hopefully we have a plan. Horton would be ideal if it weren't for the 40 man issue.
I don't think we'll see Horton this year. That's too big of a jump to throw him right into the mix from AA probably. A healthy Ben Brown would be an option but he's not back yet and last pitched on July 30th so doubt his first action back is in Chicago. I know he's had his struggles when he's been up but only other starter that would be an option is Kilian who has been good in his last few starts in Iowa recently. 3 GS in August 16.2 IP 1.62 ERA and just 2 walks to 16 strikeouts. Just really isn't much at Iowa for starting depth right now with Brown hurt and Wicks now up so it's either a Wesneski/Smyly combo or give Kilian a spot start probably. Or fill a start with a bullpen day by bringing up some of the arms that can go multiple innings. I'm not convinced Keegan Thompson is fixed after 1 good outing but he is a guy that could go multiple innings and Luke Little who is probably a good bet for a September call up can probably go at least 2 inning so could setup the bullpen for a multi-inning bullpen game somewhere if you can keep a few rested prior to that.
I may get hate for this but that's ok.
2017 - 25-22
2018 - 33-19
2019 - 27-18
2020 - 11-5 (Despite finishing the season with a losing record)
2021 - 21-15
2022 - 28-23
2023 - 27-11
172 -113, a .604 winning percentage, would be the 5th best record in the MLB this year.
This is Craig Counsell's record in 1 run games the last 7 years. While I'm sure luck is a factor, I would argue a large part of that is his ability to manage games.
2017 - 25-22
2018 - 33-19
2019 - 27-18
2020 - 11-5 (Despite finishing the season with a losing record)
2021 - 21-15
2022 - 28-23
2023 - 27-11
172 -113, a .604 winning percentage, would be the 5th best record in the MLB this year.
This is Craig Counsell's record in 1 run games the last 7 years. While I'm sure luck is a factor, I would argue a large part of that is his ability to manage games.
I have no issue with it, but I'm a little surprised Morel isn't starting tonight. He seems to be one to shine only when the lights are bright, and they don't get much brighter than tonight.
It's been a long time we've had meaningful August baseball in Wrigley. Let's have some fun this series. Give me 2 of 3 and I'll be happy.
It's been a long time we've had meaningful August baseball in Wrigley. Let's have some fun this series. Give me 2 of 3 and I'll be happy.
They're going to pull Shane Greene up to be the starter for one of the games on Friday. He's been really good for the last month.
