MLB: ***Official 2018 Chicago Cubs Season Thread***

[CloneFan4]

For as many dumb lineups and in-game moves that Maddon sometimes makes, he did 1 thing many other managers could not accomplish in 108 years which was win a World Series which puts him above Ditka in Chicago for job security and beloved by Chicago fans. The 2016 season is something that will go down as one of the most thrilling things I have ever witnessed as a fan of any team and sport I follow. There were so many nights I stayed up past midnight watching a crazy extra innings game that season but as it was unfolding you knew that team was special and fortunately the ending was as exciting as anyone could have scripted it.

We went from talking about winning multiple world series with this young core in 2016 to now just being thankful we were able to win one with Joe at the helm.

 

[CYdTracked]

We went from talking about winning multiple world series with this young core in 2016 to now just being thankful we were able to win one with Joe at the helm.

I still think this core of players can compete for championships. May need to move or add a few pieces but I think a lot of organizations would love to be in the position the Cubs are in with a lot of young, talented, and cost controlled players. It's way too early to give up on this year too not even a month in yet. Weather has sucked and still have some new guys trying to carve out their roles too.

 

[CycloneErik]

I still think this core of players can compete for championships. May need to move or add a few pieces but I think a lot of organizations would love to be in the position the Cubs are in with a lot of young, talented, and cost controlled players. It's way too early to give up on this year too not even a month in yet. Weather has sucked and still have some new guys trying to carve out their roles too.

Exactly. This core isn't done contending or even winning.
Repeat championships and/or multiple championships are awfully hard to accomplish. We know these guys can.

 

[CloneFan4]

I still think this core of players can compete for championships. May need to move or add a few pieces but I think a lot of organizations would love to be in the position the Cubs are in with a lot of young, talented, and cost controlled players. It's way too early to give up on this year too not even a month in yet. Weather has sucked and still have some new guys trying to carve out their roles too.

Oh don't get me wrong in no way am I giving up on this season. I just think it kind of encapsulates some of the frustration and worry we are having right now as a fan base.

 

[FerShizzle]

Above Ditka, seriously?

I was quoting an earlier post and using hyperbole.

It’s not like I said Jordan.

 

[cloneteach]

I just don't get why Almora doesn't start every day in CF. His career BA against righties is still .275 and he kills lefties. Only way for him to improve against righties is to give him the confidence of playing him every day regardless who takes the mound for the other team. Factor in his stellar defense put him on just about any team in the league and he would start every day. I don't think he is a leadoff hitter, I would bat him 2 or 6 in the lineup but seems like whenever he sees regular action he produces.

Numbers can be funny. Almora has for the most part avoided starts against a lot of the high quality RHP thus *possibly* inflating his average against righties. I agree he needs a chance to prove himself as an everyday player, but I do believe his impressive numbers are partially due to Joe putting him in favorable matchups.

 

[Clonefan32]

Exactly. This core isn't done contending or even winning.
Repeat championships and/or multiple championships are awfully hard to accomplish. We know these guys can.

I don't think you can underscore how much the weather hurts this team this part of the year. This roster is built around slugging. Not hitting for average. They are built to hit homers. That's hard to do when it's 25 degrees out with a 20 MPH wind. Keep things close in the division and get to June and I think they will take off.

 

[VeloClone]

Cubs have figured out a surefire way to make sure they are still playing in October - keep postponing games so they are still playing regular season games that late.

 

[Shawker]

All of these postponed games are starting to piss me off.

 

[chuckd4735]

All of these postponed games are starting to piss me off.

The way the Cubs are playing right now, I couldn't disagree more. Reschedule every game right now to warmer weather so these hitters can get going.

 

[cyfanatic13]

The good offense showed up today

 

[CycloneErik]

Happy Offense Day!!!!

Baez hitting to right will just make him unstoppable.

 

[ClonesTwentyOne]

The good offense showed up today

Back to suck tomorrow?

 

[CycloneErik]

Heyward really rolling lately.

 

[VeloClone]

Heyward really rolling lately.

Butler, not so much.

 

[CycloneErik]

Butler, not so much.

That was ugly.

 

[VeloClone]

Rizzo is only position player still batting sub .200. Should probably DFA him.

 

[VeloClone]

 

[cyfanatic13]

Fly the W! Always feels good to beat the Redbirds

 

[laminak]

Rizzo is only position player still batting sub .200. Should probably DFA him.

We had a few posters last week wanting to trade/demote players due to one week of not hitting. I'm surprised they're not talking about "should've traded Rizzo when he had value" and want to start Caritini.