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Chicago Cubs open thread

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* First time for everything, I suppose.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:13 am

Comments

They had a great season. 95 wins! They struggled at the end, but im bullish for next year. The team has a lot of heart, but suffered from injuries throughout the season. Losing Russel didn’t help either.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:15 am
Every position player not named Rizzo, Bryant and Javy should be on the trading block. Bring on Bryce!

Comment by So_Ill Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:15 am
It was ever thus.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:18 am
Cubs will be back, window for championships is still open. #FlytheW #CubsCaucus

Comment by Corey Patterson Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:19 am
I’m pretty bummed about my White Sox but oh well, I hope Cubs fans won’t hold it over our heads. Maybe I’ll even try rooting for the Cubs this fall, so when do the playoffs start?

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:19 am
Javy is fun to watch at short stop, but he is otherworldly at second base. Need to get back to longer at bats. Rizzo on the bench for multiple extra innings, too bad.

Comment by Biker Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:23 am
FLY THE C…as in CHOKE. Team wins 95 games and doesn’t make the playoffs? Maddon=Genius lol

Comment by 10th Ward Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:23 am
The ‘16 Cubs are looking more and more like the ‘85 Bears…

Lightning in a bottle, going all the way.

The Bears after ‘85 were good too, for the couple seasons after… then Ditka gets fired…

The club had 95 wins, but no winning rhythm. The last month was a “hold on”, not a march to the playoffs.

The bats went silent. Can’t win when you can’t score runs.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:24 am
I’d much rather that the team loses early in the playoffs rather than suffer the agony of losing in the World Series.

Maybe we here could generate more offense than the Cubs in the last two games.

The horrific Cubs negativity of 108 years of no championship was eliminated in 2016. The Cubs are fine. I want the Sox to improve so we have two teams vying for glory.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:25 am
Dang.

Comment by siualum Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:31 am
I expect hitting coach Chili Davis to be the fall guy. The Cubs didn’t choke; the Brewers simply got smoking hot in September.

Theo & Jed failed last off-season, spending all that money on Flu Darvish, Chatwood and Morrow.

Comment by North of Harlem Avenue Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:32 am
Two runs in 23 innings ain’t going to cut it. Tip your cap to the Brewers and Rockies. It’s not like those cats are the Washington Generals.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:36 am
Probably best result. It would be terrible to see the Brewers celebrate twice in Chicago, which is what would happen with a sweep. I do not think there is anyone in the National League can stop the Brewers at this time.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:36 am
The Ricketts family will buy some big bats in the off season and retool the hitting and shore up the bullpen.

Comment by Steinbrenner Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:37 am
Whoever gets out of the NL is running into a buzzsaw this year.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:39 am
A 95 win season is quite good; no panic or major overhaul needed. Anything can happen in a 1 game wildcard.

Cubs lacked depth. Few bench hitters as evidenced by Gore getting to bat twice last night; very little P depth as well. Not sure that there’s much talent in AAA or AA to solve this.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:41 am
Full disclosure: Sox fan. The cubs had a pretty good season considering all the major injuries throughout the year. I knew when the Brewers signed Cain and acquired Yelich it was going to be a tough division to win. Then add Moustakis and all the bright spots of the White Sox bullpen, it was a team built to go the distance. The Cubs window is still open and will be for at least a couple more years. So it’s not the end of the world. But beware, they will be competing in the best division in baseball all around. Don’t think that the Pirates and Reds will be pushovers in the years to come.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:48 am
==Lightning in a bottle==

You ain’t kidding. Championship windows are fleeting. Who would’ve thought those ‘85-’88 Bears teams would only have one Super Bowl appearance? The Bulls spoiled us.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:51 am
There are a few cracks showing in the facade that they will have to deal with. Some big contracts they will not be able to move — stuck with Heyward, stuck with Yu (Huey Lewis song?). The Russell situation will need to resolve before they can move him and sell low. Not sure that throwing a ton of money at Bryce Harper is the right fix for them, especially as the younger mainstays on their roster get closer and closer to free agency themselves and huge paydays. That said, Maddon will be back but I doubt Chili Davis is. 2 runs in 22 innings in must win home games is not a recipe for job security.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:52 am
That one hurt. Last couple of weeks, they just weren’t clicking at the plate. Still, this is a team built to compete for a championship every year. On to 2019.

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:59 am
The White Sox and the Cubs won the exact same number of playoff games in 2018.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 9:59 am
Schadenfreude….because I’m a rude Sox fan

Comment by We'll See Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 10:21 am
As a Cubs fan, honestly, I’m just relieved this is over. Even if the Cubs had won last night, they would have been smoked in a series with the Brewers. Bats just fell asleep and didn’t wake up.

Comment by Lunchbox Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 10:24 am
went to bed with the Cubs in extras with two on and one out. figured they won. Cubs Rocky Ending was in my email box from the Sun Times this morning. and now Facebook filled with Cubs fans out for blood. funny, no one mentions the manager. plus, he’s kinda smarmy. Sox fan, now paying attention to Da Bears.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 10:35 am
#flytheL

For another 179 days.

Comment by Wallinger Dickus Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 10:36 am
p.s. Melisa Reidy says buh bye.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 10:37 am
Maddon’s mismanagement of the Division tie-breaker game is the only reason the Cubs were playing last night. That said, I agree they probably would not have advanced beyond the first series. Lack of discipline at the plate and poor clutch hitting did them in. The mojo just wasn’t there.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 10:42 am
A good season with a most disappointing finish.

Approaching every plate appearance by swinging for the fences on the first pitch is not a formula for success. MLB is not an episode of “Home Run Derby” television series.

Disciplined at bats, working the count, and putting the ball in play would be better. The Colorado starting pitcher completed several innings on fewer than ten pitches last night. The Cubs inability to play small ball was fatal.

Agree with Lunchbox that the Cubs were likely to eliminated in the NLDS against Milwaukee given the present batting slump.

Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 10:54 am
Cubbies will make changes. Another front line starter, as Lester is aging, and who knows what Darvish and Chatwood will deliver. I think they will trade Russell and likely go after Machado. I saw an article suggesting a trade involving Montgomery, Chatwood, and Russell for Noah Syndegaard. Would take that.

Comment by Clifford C Clavin Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 11:05 am
EXHAUSTION FACTOR ANYONE?

Comment by qualified someone nobody sent Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 11:14 am
==EXHAUSTION FACTOR ANYONE?==

I bought that as a partial excuse for their late Sept. slump. But Cubs have been home in Chicago sleeping in their own beds for the last six days while Rockies played 3 games in 3 cities. All players in both leagues are tired after a long season. But serious contenders have to be ready to play multiple post-season games some with likely extra innings and despite injuries.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 11:25 am
I woke up this morning, saw the final score, and said to myself, “all is right in the world.”

Comment by Saluki Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 11:38 am
–EXHAUSTION FACTOR ANYONE?–

Meh, all teams are exhausted. It’s a six-month grind. Brewers are a good team that got hot, and the Cubs are a good team that lost two games in a row.

No crying in baseball.

–But serious contenders have to be ready to play multiple post-season games some with likely extra innings and despite injuries.–

The handful of teams that make the playoffs are the serious contenders. There are no pretenders after 162/163 games.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 11:41 am
My prediction: In 2019, the “Aw shucks” nature of this team will disappear. Baseball was a cruel business for them this year. They are talented enough that, with the right addition and focus, they can be cruel right back. If you doubt that, consider this: They won 95 games without a consistent closer and while scoring one run or fewer in 40 games. That’s mind boggling. That will not happen next season.

Comment by JB13 Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 11:44 am
On the bright side, someone last week kidnapped Mitch and replaced him with Aaron Rodgers secret twin brother.

So, a reason to tune in going forward.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 11:47 am
I’m a Royals fan, so I understand a bit about suffering, too. The Cubs will be back, but the competition is getting tougher in the division. There really aren’t any free rides anymore.

White Sox fans - I feel ya. It will get better, eventually. And hey, you don’t have to listen to The Hawk anymore, so there’s that.

Comment by Mr. Smith Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 12:18 pm
It’s not a real competition if the same teams always win. The Cubs legendary drought does make them special, but the Brewers (and old Milwaukee Braves) have a proud tradition, but the Brewers have just two divisional titles appearance. And how can you hate a team named after people who brew beer?

Comment by James Knell Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 12:37 pm
The weather in Chicago today is beautiful. sunny, slightly windy, great clouds. wonderful weather. sox fans lovin’ it.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 12:42 pm
Full disclosure: Sox fan. So how many sacrifice bunts and stolen bases did the Cubs pull this year? Sometimes you need to manufacture a run to get some heat off the big hitters.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 12:54 pm
Rich must be delighting in the schadenfreude today. Where is the sox open thread?

Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 12:59 pm
Too soon.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 1:14 pm
I’ll just say it was a great season and a heck of a game last night.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 1:14 pm
–Disciplined at bats, working the count, and putting the ball in play would be better. –

That is not the direction any team in MLB is going. It’s all strikeouts, all the time these days, everywhere.

The Yankees broke their team home run record this year — give that a think. 267 vs. 242.

They also broke their team strikeout record: 1,421 vs. 1,171.

MLB batters finished with more strikeouts than hits this season.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 1:32 pm
==FLY THE C…as in CHOKE. Team wins 95 games and doesn’t make the playoffs?==
Ummmm…. they did make the playoffs.

It’s going to be tough watching the young stars they traded away blossom, but 2016 was worth it. If they never win another one, it was worth it.

Comment by Vote Quimby Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 2:41 pm
With Theo in charge, more good decisions than bad will be made. But these young hitters need to relearn how to get hits, and timely ones, as they are approaching their prime when they are supposed to know.

Speaking of both Sox and Cubs, I thought “Eddie Gaedel” when Terrance Gore came up to bat. Like Eddie, Terrance is a one trick pony that you don’t use more than once in a game.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 2:59 pm
–Disciplined at bats, working the count, and putting the ball in play would be better. –

That is not the direction any team in MLB is going. It’s all strikeouts, all the time these days, everywhere.

@Wordslinger:

Your observation is quite correct as to the present state of MLB.

Nonetheless, in one game elimination contests, playing small ball can pay dividends as it did for Colorado yesterday night. Their two runs scored on a sacrifice fly and a single.

Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 3:05 pm
@VQ—I should have been more specific, win 95 games and don’t make the Divisional Series. C’mon man, admit that the adorable Cubbies choked. Up 5 games late in the season and can’t hold it? Enjoying the fact that the White Sox win late in September blocked them for winning the NL Central

Comment by 10th Ward Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 3:29 pm
==while Rockies played 3 games in 3 cities==

Kind of reminds me of the 2008 Sox that had to win three consecutive games at the end of the season against three different teams to make the playoffs. Granted, each of those games was at home.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 3:51 pm
“Speaking of both Sox and Cubs, I thought “Eddie Gaedel” when Terrance Gore came up to bat. Like Eddie, Terrance is a one trick pony that you don’t use more than once in a game.”

Sort of like the “one trick pony” Claudell Washington of the White Sox?

In fairness, Gore did score the Cubs’ lone run (Rizzo probably would not have made it home safely as the lead base runner in that situation) and Maddon was out of position players when he left Gore in the game. This is not an uncommon occurrence in extra inning games during the postseason.

Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:04 pm
===win 95 games and don’t make the Divisional Series===

Tonight’s AL Wild Card game will end the postseason for either a 97-game winner or a 100-game winner. Baseball is a cruel mistress.

Comment by Tim Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:18 pm
Now everyone will be doing the Chicago Cubs Hug.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:29 pm
The Cubs may have lost the game, but man they went down swinging all the way to the end. Show Chicago Cubs some love by sending them a hug.

Comment by M Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 4:34 pm
Flying the L.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:13 pm
Addison Russell….40 game suspension, which seems not enough as a PED suspension can get you, say 80 games. And it seems from the stories that management knew things earlier this season. that should be looked at. Stain on any wins with him in.

Comment by amalia Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 5:40 pm
Claudell could hit for power occasionally as well as run the bases. As entertaining as Gore was on the basepaths, he’d probably have to chase one of his rare hits into the outfield and swat it again to get it over the fence.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 6:18 pm