The writing's on the wall...

Diehard88 · Wily Veteran Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 159

Well, I think the writing is on the wall. By the end of the month the Cubs will be overtaken by both the Cardinals and the Brewers. Just like the Brewers last year, the Cubs can't win on the road. It was a great first half of the season but I really don't think I'm being overly reactionary in saying that the Cubs' chances in the division are becoming slimmer and slimmer each day. I hate the way this team is playing and soon the lack of offense will demoralize the pitching which has been good, but once the pitchers feel they need to be perfect in order to win, they will be all screwed up.

I hate the Cardinals and I hate the Brewers and this is the most painful it has been since 2003. It really feels like it is inevitable that they won't make the playoffs. I hope they turn it around but they are fizzling right now, wait until next year!

neverbesocial · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

Please, don't lose hope!!!!!! Not yet, its just too soon.
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IceBox13 · All-Star Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 666

Ugh...

Diehard88 · Wily Veteran Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 159

you're right neverbesocial, and I hope beyond hope that they can turn it around, I'm just a bit pessimistic and now that I've had time to cool down a bit from today's debacle I don't think its a total lost cause, there are alot of games to play but the Cubs have to turn it around.

2ndCityDieHard · All-Star Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 520 Location: Chicago

50% of the Cubs every day line-up is in a slump right now. I think given the pitching that we've seen recently and the offensive track record for this team I am more optimistic than anything. Hopefully the addition of Soriano will give the team a jolt and will see Fukudome, Soto, DeRosa, and A-Ram shake out of it.
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Celticub · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:14 am Post subject: Re: The writing's on the wall...

Stewed · All-Star Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 607

Cream rises to the top, which is where the cubs will be when all is said and done heading into the playoffs. Now the playoffs on the otherhand....

Even if the cubs do slip a game or 2 out of first (which I don't think will happen), the offence will pick back up and we'll be fine

It's just one of those post-allstar funks some teams go through. It's like they have to get re motivated or something

neverbesocial · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:46 am Post subject:

Yeah, this is a tough time right now. It can't always be candy-coated strawberry's all the time. They'll break through...I can feel it.
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"do they still play the blues in chicago?"

IceBox13 · All-Star Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 666

Is everyone forgetting the funk they went through before the ASG? The Rays sweep, the WS sweep, dropping two each to the Orioles and Giants? They still managed to get it back together and go into the AS break winning and on top. Just relax a bit.

Cubs_Fan_34 · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:48 am Post subject:

Wow.

I agree, watching yesterday was truly painful, seeing Harden pitch so well for the second start in a row, only to start his Cubs career 0-1, but saying it's done is ridiculous! Every team goes through highs and lows in a season. I feel fortunate the Cubs went through almost a full half season without a low. True, the lead is shrinking, but the Cubs are amongst the best records in the MAJORS. So what if we get a little competition in our division? The Cubs will pull through, and might be better off for it come playoff time. Anyone watch the NFL, and see teams that rest their players at the end of the regular season when they already have their playoff position locked up? They almost inevitably struggle in that first game back. I don't want that to happen this year. They're deep enough to rest people that need rest. I want them primed for a deep run in the postseason. That's what Lou has talked about from day 1. He manages for the season, not just one game. This is a small group of games in a big, long season. They'll get it right.

letsplay2 · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:50 am Post subject:

that should have been a cubscast contest: what date do fans start hitting the panic button.

diehard i don't fault you. i really don't. that's like saying grandpa is old, and senile because he darts up, covered in cold sweat screaming about "Charlie" shooting at him everytime a car backfires outside the house. Yes, it is just like that. You are that weatherd korean war vet that cries out like a pavlovian dog whose been conditioned to be cheated out of victory. we're all like that. the only difference is, that some of us drink more. for example, i live in pacfic standard time and am already on my second margarita. the thing is that everyone here is right, icebox, celticcub, neverbesocial, the cubs \are the stronger team, other teams like the rays and such all endured dips w/few casualties, it's just a hitting slump, and it's not like these losses have been huge slaughters.

but i am also going to say that you may very well be right. i am like most fans an optomist but am surprised by very little. i find the trick in dealing with these losses in a productive way. is pulling out the ol'blender and making up some margaritas to start the next day while coming up with one creative insult to call cardinal/brewer or (what the hell) sox fans. I filled up almost half a notebook in 05/06.

IceBox13 · All-Star Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 666

The trick is to recognize that as fans, it's out of our hands. No amount of wishing, hoping, worrying, fretting, cheering, bitching, moaning, or anything is going to change what happens on that field. We're just along for the ride.

Herby · All-Star Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 675

I completely disagree... sure they might lose the division lead temporarily, but we'll never be more than 3 games down for the rest of the year, and will win the division.

Do you really think that the cubs, despite having the best run differential in the MLB, are going to just crawl into a corner and give up? man... maybe i'm the optimist here... but I'd much rather be losing games 2-0 than 10-8 or crap like that. Not too long ago everyone was so high on the team, and then when the team goes through a tough stretch it's time to bail? There's gonna be a stretch of games like this throughout a season, I don't know about you guys but I don't think the cubs need to win every series for the rest of the year to make the playoffs... chill

Diehard88 · Wily Veteran Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 159

I just get very reactionary and writing that little rant up was somewhat therapeutic. It got alot off my chest and I'm sorry that it had to be posted here, I just need a good margarita recipe... and maybe a nice Potbelly sandwich.

Mattvegas · Heckler Joined: 31 May 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Las Vegas

We pessimists need you optimists to keep us on the straight and narrow. It's just that yesterday's game was so discouraging. And don't you feel like every time DP (I mean D) Lee comes up with a man on first, he's going to hit into a double play?

letsplay2 · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

The trick is to use fresh lime juice when making the margarita....and don't be to frugal with the tequila...i recomend 1800 or Jose Cuervo.

-Blend
-salt
-smile
-and watch baseball

repeat as neccessary.

IceBox13 · All-Star Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 666

neverbesocial · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject:

yes it's a good mix. like peanut butter and jelly.
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"do they still play the blues in chicago?"

wednesday181 · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject:

I lived through (most recently) the 2006 season. I can live through a slump now. Not the end of the world. This is the best Cubs team I've seen my entire life, and despite them getting some tough losses and having the unfortunate luck of 2 teams nipping on their heels constantly, I will enjoy this as much as possible. You can't truly savor the good times unless you suffer through the bad or disappointing ones as well.

-Amanda
Austin, TX
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neverbesocial · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:13 pm Post subject:

Your absolutely right Wednesday!!! 2006 was the worst I've seen in a while. That's a great reason why I like Cubscast so much. They got through the 2006 season without skipping a beat. Those guys should be commended! Stay positive everybody!
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"do they still play the blues in chicago?"