Archive for June 2nd, 2008
June 2nd, 2008
As Gareth mentioned in the previous post, some folks are dismissing the Cubs record because their early season schedule supposedly has been easy.
Teams that are not considered contenders are the most dangerous in April and May when hope — often misguided — is high. The start of the season gives bad teams a new slate and often they come out of spring training with unrealistic expectations. Early on these teams play with lots of enthusiasm and that fire is usually good for a few wins. You don’t want to play these teams early because you don’t know what you’re going to face.
If those teams catch fire, anything could happen. Look at last year’s playoff teams. Did anyone really think Arizona and Colorado would be there? And look how far Colorado has fallen since.
Then there’s the danger of playing down to your competition, which the Cubs have avoided.
The Cubs do have some weaknesses, but they’ve beaten the teams they should have. That momentum should serve them well when they face the tougher teams.
June 2nd, 2008
One-time Cubs ace Mark Prior is done for yet another season. But at least this time around it’s not on the Cubs watch. Prior, who signed with the Padres in the off-season, will have season-ending surgery on that troublesome pitching shoulder.
Last September, after already a number of setbacks including missing the entire 2007 season, Prior was quoted:
“The goal is, obviously, to come back. I expect to come back. This day and age playing, we’re fortunate to have medicine and technology that gives us a second chance.”
It’s looking more and more like a fat chance. Better start working on that color commentary.
June 2nd, 2008
It’s all over the news: the Cubs have the best record in baseball to start June for the first time since 1908, which of course will always be remembered as the year Ford debuted the famous Model T automobile, something opposing teams’ fans hold dear and never let anyone forget.
But as exciting (and ironic) that the Cubs have accomplished something the organization hasn’t done in 100 years, MLB doesn’t hand out World Series rings for having the best record after two months.
And of course, no matter the level of success, there will always be criticism from Cubs-haters and pessimistic Cubs fans alike. The latest bottom-of-barrel complaint? The Cubs’ schedule has been too easy. It’s an argument that means as little as having the best record after two months. Teams that were considered easy prey at the beginning of the season could be playoff contenders by September.
True, the Cubs have played a majority of their 57 games at home, where they have been nearly unbeatable at 26-8. But it’s asinine to find any fault in a team for doing what it’s supposed to do (especially at home).
The road has been a different story. The Cubs are 10-13, and today they begin a two-month stretch of 52 games where 33 are on the road. This month alone, the Cubs play at Tampa Bay and at the White Sox, two teams that were predicted as scrubs before the season began and now sit a top their respective divisions.
